A Message From the President

A Message From the President A Message From the President N N NN N N N

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Black and White by the Bay. Once again, this important event has an entirely different look. Due to the continuing threat posed by Covid the auction will be virtual this year, but your support is more important than ever. Opening our doors for in-person instruction last August was not a foregone conclusion. It took a great deal of planning on the part of administration, faculty and staff, and working together with you, our parents, we made it happen for the vast majority of students. We have been able, for the most part, to ensure strong academic, religious and extracurricular programs for your children. Additionally, we were able to provide virtual learning experience opportunities for those who chose to remain home. We look forward to next school year when, hopefully, we will be back to normal.

The proceeds from this auction help defray the cost of educating all pre-K to 12 students at the Academy. The funds raised this week will enable us to enhance the educational and cocurricular experiences for our students, provide professional development opportunities for our teachers, and support programs like robotics in the elementary and middle schools and engineering in the high school.

This year’s Fund-an-Item will support need-based tuition assistance. The Academy will provide some form of financial aid to roughly 20 percent of the student body. These funds make an Academy education more affordable for families whose children ordinarily would not be able to attend. A strong commitment to financial aid is a critical component of who we are as a school and is consistent with the mission and charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names. I hope you will be generous when you are asked to participate.

This week’s events are the result of the hard work and dedication of many members of the community. On behalf of the entire Academy family, I want to thank all of you who donated and procured items, chaired committees, and volunteered countless hours to this wonderful cause. I want to especially thank our co-chairs, Katie O’Brien and Michelle Reeves, for the many, many hours they spent working to ensure a successful evening. Infinite thanks are extended to all our sponsors for their continued leadership-level support.

Thanks also to the Advancement Office and to our lead sponsors, particularly Board of Trustees Chair Ernie Garateix and Heritage Insurance, for sponsoring the VIP Reception, the Weiss Family and the Weiss Patterson Group for their Print and Promotions Sponsorship, and the Reeves, Stagg and Mocsari Families and Beach Bank for the luxury gift boxes. Special thanks to JoAnne Linkner, who organized all the volunteer efforts, to make this evening so special.

Let the bidding begin!

Art Raimo President, Academy of the Holy Names