Harvest Gala 2009

Friends of Prep and Villa Gather for Harvest Gala 2009

This year’s Harvest Gala was the first collaborative special event hosted by both Villa Maria Academy and Cathedral Prep. Harvest Gala, which was held at the Bayfront Convention Center on October 7, 2009, brought together over 700 women from both school communities.

This year’s Harvest Gala Marketplace was filled with activity. With 100 items to choose from in the Basket Raffle, women had an even better chance of winning something this year. The baskets were beautifully decorated by several volunteers, and were filled with many sought after items. Chrissie Simmons (sons Justin ’10 and Jeffrey ’12) coordinated the shopping efforts for this year’s baskets.

Janet Zegarelli, parent of 2 Prep sons, Martin ’12 and Hogan ’13, and a Villa daughter, Ellen ‘11, organized the elaborate gourmet Bake Sale. A number of women from the Villa and Prep communities baked mouthwatering pies, breads and cookies. The Bake Sale is a long standing tradition of Harvest Gala, and always proves to be a crowd favorite!

Event Chairs: Julie McCain and Kathy Grisier

Roll Ramblers! Go Victors! Current Prep moms Mary Candela, (son Xavier ’11), and Chris Podufal (son Greg ’11) coordinated the Spirit Table. Both of these talented women, along with other artistic moms, worked many hours to create the items offered at the Spirit Table. Villa and Prep supporters found beautiful hand-crafted school spirit items including pillows, blankets, scarves, aprons, bracelets and belts. Rambler Retail and the Villa School Store also offered school-related apparel and other goods. Ellen Innes and Susie Dill (daughter Molly ’12) organized those efforts.

What’s the next best thing to eating chocolate? To be dripping in it! A breathtaking chocolate diamond necklace, purchased at Lighthouse Jewelers just for the event, was raffled off at the end of the evening. An additional raffle was held for an authentic Louis Vuitton

Selling basket tickets: Therese Blazek, Ruth Kowalski, Sandy Winkler, Tina Ford and Chrissie Simmons

orange leather purse donated by the Pete Zaphiris Family.
VMA’s Director of Admissions, Mary Mulard ’78 emceed the event. There was never a dull moment as Mary delivered her “housekeeping items” with her typical wit. She definitely kept the audience alive! Prep senior class president John Cordier and Villa Student Council President Kelly Ek addressed the guests, welcoming them to Harvest Gala, and sharing some of their thoughts on their schools and the women that have influenced them throughout their lives. President Father Scott Jabo also spoke and thanked the women for supporting both schools.

Sr. Andre Feulner, Sr. Mary Drexler and Rosemary Kloecker

No one at the event left empty handed. Even the pumpkin centerpieces filled with vibrant flowers made by Allburn Florist were given away to the guests with the closed birthdays. Last but not least, everyone left with leaf-shaped Romolo’s chocolates, coordinated by Sharon Reichel (Villa daughter Maddy ’12).

The event was co-chaired by Prep parent Kathy Grisier (son Matt ’12) and Villa/Prep parent Julie McCain (daughter Shannon ’10 and son John ’13). Both women did an extraordinary job of chairing the event, and sharing their time and talents. Director of Special Events, Nancy Bird, assisted the chairs in organizing the event.

Harvest Gala 2009 was the perfect venue for the women of the Prep and Villa communities to come together to celebrate the camaraderie of both schools while supporting the missions of Villa and Prep. A special thank you to everyone who helped to make Harvest Gala a success!