2017 Dr. Audrey Evans Scholarship Benefit
OUR STUDENTS. OUR FUTURE.
St. James students pose with Alley, the Huskies mascot (at The Union League of Philadelphia Grant Room)
ELA instructor Sarah Carroll with Kayla at the Career Polaroid Station
On Tuesday, May 16, 2017, St. James School transported The Union League of Philadelphia into the future with the 3rd annual Dr. Audrey Evans Scholarship Benefit. This event was themed Our Students. Our Future. and attracted over 230 guests, featuring student ambassadors dressed in different career outfits and showcasing their knowledge. The benefit focused on scholarships and honored three important St. James School supporters, namely The Rev. Sean Mullen, board president and co-founder, along with Dr. Keith Leaphart, long time St. James supporter, and St. James board member Hon. Greg Montanaro.
TuneUp Philly performers
VIP guests enjoyed an early-bird tour to The Union League’s Heritage Museum, led by Jim Mundy. A lively atmosphere was all about, with lively conversation, delicious foods, and music performed by a small selection of Tune Up Philly students and their teachers.
The Co-Founders Dr. Audrey Evans and event honoree Father Sean Mullen
The program portion began at 8pm and was emceed by Tynae Drain ’16 who followed her 2016 event performance with great gusto and a true entertainer’s flair for engaging the audience. When Philly POPS President Frank Giordano took the stage, he proudly announced “I think we are witnessing a future Union League president here tonight!”
In the beginning of the program, honorary co-chair the Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez opened the program with prayer followed by one of the highlights of the evening–a spirited original song about St. James School sung by the school choir accompanied with a special video. Guests clapped and sang along celebrating how St. James School is making a difference in North Philadelphia.
Honoree Keith Leaphart with Audrey
During the evening’s program, emcee Tynae (class of 2016) led the evening honoring co-founder Dr. Evans and past Scholarship Benefit honorees. Honorary co-chair Bruce Melgary of Drexel University, Frank Giordano, president and CEO of Philly Pops, and Dr. Douglas Marshall, board member, honored Father Mullen, Dr. Leaphart, and Montanaro.
Philly POPS President Frank Giordano poses with Alley, the school mascot, and event honoree Greg Montanaro
Instead of a traditional live auction, Father Mullen stepped up as auctioneer and challenged guests to bid directly in support of student scholarships. This donation auction raised a remarkable $81,000 for scholarships. Due to the wonderful generosity of sponsors, guests, and supporters, the event raised over $275,000 in scholarship funds for students.
EVENT CO-CHAIRS & SPONSORS
Bruce Melgary and The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutierrez
MAGNA CUM LAUDE ($10,000)
Anonymous, The Curran Foundation, Saint Mark’s Church, Locust Street, The Rev. Marie Swayze
CUM LAUDE ($5,000)
Anonymous, Argosy Capital, William and Laura Buck, Matthew and Lori Espe, Brad Garfield and Amanda Henninger, Independence Blue Cross, Randall and Jacqueline Jefferson, The Lotman and Fisher Family
HONOR ROLL ($3,000)
American Siteworks, DiBruno Bros., Drexel University, Patricia and Gordon Fowler, The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Sally and Peter Hillyer
MAROON AND GOLD ($1,500)
Betsy and Hugh Aikens, Barbara and Richard Alton, James and Elaine Ballengee, Audrey Evans, M.D., Hamilton Family Foundation, David Kasievich and Andrew Kellner, Joseph Kluger and Susan Lewis, Michael and Susie Lastowski, Joseph and Deedee McPeak, M & T Bank, Richard and Anne Mullen, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Sara Ridenour and Robert Lawrence, Allyson and Steve Ross, Karl and Katherine Schoettle, George and Ronna Tyndall, Margaret Wallis
