Why is "Home" so Important to us?
Perhaps, because for better or worse, by presence or absence, it is a crucial point of reference—in memory, feeling, and imagination—for inventing the story of ourselves, our life narrative, for understanding our place in time. No matter what place you call home, the very word strikes a chord deep inside each of us. “Home” to some means sanctuary, the place we can rest, relax, enjoy time with friends, and family, learn, grow … and just be. Our “home” says a lot about who we are and what we think is important. Since our inception 15 years ago, The Mt. Vernon Community School District has served as the "heart" of our Mt. Vernon Education Foundation, “home” it has been the constant thread that weaves the fabric of our community together from casual conversation, cheering on players who represent us in sports, (Go Marauders!) to all of our amazing educators, the teachable moments and learning experiences along the way in creating a place where the foundation could invest thanks to the generosity of our donors in the hopes, dreams, needs, and wishes of our students, staff, and community as we build brighter futures together. The Mt. Vernon Education Foundation will continue to work in supporting the gap between the tax dollars available and the funds needed to preserve the comprehensive education that our community values and expects for all of our Mt. Vernon students.
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n behalf of the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation's Board of Directors, I would like to welcome and thank you for attending tonight's Gala. The Gala is the biggest event the Foundation sponsors. This event allows us to support the needs of the school corporation. Although we are a separate entity from the school corporation, our primary mission is to assist the wonderful teachers and staff members in making every students' experience in the corporation meaningful and positive. We know education is the lifeline of our community and of our future. Your presence tonight supports our mission, our teachers, our staff and, most importantly, our students. Thank you!
Amy Shipley MVEF President
Evening Lineup 5:30 -7:00 ............................."Golden City" Cocktail Reception 7:50………..…..............Ryan Fry Excellence in Education Award Music by: Bill Bell Presented by: Kevin & Jill Prefontaine 6:00 ……….......................Family Leisure Silent Auction Begins
7:55........................................................................Heads and Tails Presented by: Rafael Sanchez
7:00 .............................Welcome to "No Place Like Home" Gala Presented by: MVEF President, Amy Shipley 8:05 .....Soloist Courtney Bell “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” 7:05 ......................................Leanne Brown Cornerstone Award Presented by: Leanne Brown, Founder of MVEF
8:10................................MVEF Distinguished Alumni Recipients Presented by: Jan Viehweg, MVEF Board Emeritus
7:10 .......................................................Keystone Award Winners Presented by: Jason & Jenn Wells of Hancock Health
8:20 .................................................................Live Auction Begins Presented by: Kevin Prefontaine & Jake Burgess
7:30 ........Welcome by Master of Ceremonies, Rafael Sanchez
8:50 ....................................Closing Remarks by Rafael Sanchez
7:35 ......................Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation 9:15 ..................................................................Dance Floor Opens! Superintendent Dr. Jack Parker 10:15 .....................................Family Leisure Silent Auction Ends 7:40...............................Teacher of the Year & Staff of the Year 11:59...................................................... Black and Gold Gala Ends Presented by: Brian Dowden, MVEF Treasurer
MT.VERNON EDUCATION FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIA BENNETT TONY MAY, EMERITUS LEANNE BROWN, EMERITUS DR.JACK PARKER, MVCSC SUPERINTENDENT BRIAN DOWDEN, TREASURER ALYSSA PRAZEAU, VICE-PRESIDENT JOHNA GOFF JILL PREFONTAINE, EMERITUS CHAD GRAY, MVCSC BOARD MEMBER ROD RICHARDSON TREE GOODING, SECRETARY AMY SHIPLEY, PRESIDENT MIKE HARRIS SHANNON WALLS, EMERITUS LISA HOLVERSON JASON WELLS AARON LANTEIGNE JAN VIEHWEG, EMERTITUS CRISTINA KREIGH JEFF YOUNG, EMERITUS
First Course
Dinner Menu
~ Mesclun Mix Salad ~ Tomato Wedge/Shaved Carrot/Cucumber/House-made Crouton/Boursin Whip/Buttermilk Herb Dressing ~ Fresh Baked Rolls with Butter
Second Course ~ Grain Mustard + Honey Glazed Chicken Breast ~ Sweet Potato Puree/Crispy Fingerling Potato/Haricot Vert/Maple Onion Jam
Third Course ~ Flourless Chocolate Torte ~ Peanut Butter Mousse/Crispy Chocolate Croquants
Congratulations Brian! The Leanne Brown CORNERSTONE AWARD is presented to an OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL for their INVALUABLE DEDICATION & SERVICE to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation
Brian Dowden NineStar Connect
PRESENTED BY Leanne Brown MVEF Founder, Emeritus Board Member
Congratulations Family Leisure! The Keystone Award is presented to a COMPANY for their OUTSTANDING CORPORATE SUPPORT & COMMITMENT to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation
Kevin & Jill Prefontaine & Family
PRESENTED BY Jason Wells, MVEF Board Member Jenn Wells, Hancock Health
Congratulations Family Leisure! The Keystone Award
Family Leisure promotes relaxation of the highest order for the entire family. Our product offering has expanded to include pool tables, trampolines, tanning beds, spas, above-ground pools, inground pools, patio furniture, game tables, custom fireplaces, outdoor and indoor bars, all of the fixings for outdoor kitchens and more. We work to treat customers like a part of our own families. We foster a community-focused atmosphere at each store location. The family-like feeling permeates each level of the store, including employee-to-employee interactions and employee-to-customer relationships. Many of our store locations host community-based activities to reinforce this atmosphere. Besides placing a high value on face-to-face kindness, Family Leisure works to deliver trustworthy deals on each transaction.
Congratulations Heaven Hill Brands! The Keystone Award is presented to a COMPANY for their OUTSTANDING CORPORATE SUPPORT & COMMITMENT to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation
Lisa & Brent Holverson
PRESENTED BY Jason Wells, MVEF Board Member Jenn Wells, Hancock Health
Congratulations Heaven Hill Brands The Keystone Award
Heaven Hill is now the second-largest holder of aging Bourbon Whiskey in the world with an inventory in excess of 1,600,000 barrels. Heaven Hill's portfolio includes, Evan Williams Bourbon alongside dynamic brands including Deep Eddy Vodka, Lunazul Tequila, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, and category-leading brands Burnett's Vodka, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, Christian Brothers Brandy, Carolan's Irish Cream, and Admiral Nelson's Rums. Heaven Hill remains fiercely independent, guided by the steady hands of the Shapira family. The company is dedicated to establishing long-term relationships with its customers in order to build strong brands and implement consistent, effective programming. Independence, quality, and integrity define Heaven Hill Brands, a company committed to producing and marketing the highest quality spirits products worldwide.
2022
Rafael Sanchez Master of Ceremonies Emmy Award Winning Anchor & Investigative Reporter WRTV-ABC Indianapolis
Mt. Vernon Education Foundation's Black & Gold Gala
Dr. Parker joined Mt. Vernon in 2019 and has continued his leadership by collaborating with the greater community and staff to continually seek excellence in education.
Dr. Jack Parker, Superintendent
Dr. Parker is an experienced, strategic and humble visionary who is leading Mt. Vernon through the imminent growth. He believes that true collaboration, with both the internal and external community, is a priority to achieve the highest level of success for the students of Mt. Vernon.
Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation Teacher and Staff of the Year 2022 District Nominees Presented By Brian Dowden, MVEF Treasurer Dr. Scott Shipley, Director of Curriculum
Kelly Fleming Mt. Vernon High School Staff of the Year
Tracy Furnas Administration Building Staff of the Year
Jay Jones Mt. Vernon Middle School Staff of the Year
Shanda Jouppi Fortville Elementary School Staff of the Year
Brittany Lenk Mt. Comfort Elementary School Staff of the Year
Diane Rafert McCordsville Elementary School Staff of the Year
Dianne Grannan Mt. Comfort Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Jordan Gerbsch Mt. Vernon High School Teacher of the Year
Michelle Anderson McCordsville Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Brittany Webber Fortville Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Lindsay Sharpless Sall Mini-Marauder Preschool / Admin. Teacher of the Year
D'Lee Rush Mt. Vernon Middle School Teacher of the Year
In 2018, Jill & Kevin Prefontaine established this award through the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation in honor of her brother, Ryan.
Ryan Fry Excellence in Education Award
In 2021, they graciously expanded this award to include a monetary gift for all 12 Staff and Teacher of the Year Nominees in recognition of their exemplary contributions to the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation.
s d a e H
TAILS WHO WILL BE THE WINNER?
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
Courtney Bell Soloist & District Receptionist
Courtney Bell, soprano, holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Murray State University. She has taught high school choir and humanities, given private voice and piano lessons, sung in community choirs, led children’s ministry and music in churches, and directed the Hancock County Children’s Choir. She is beginning her masters degree in clinical mental health counseling at Grace College this fall.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS Presented by Jan Viehweg
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients Lorraine Ewing – 2021 Linda Garrity – 2021 Nathen Heck-2020 Darrell Smith – 2020 Michelle McConnell – 2019 Thomas P. Miller – 2019 Amanda Lowe – 2018 Florence May – 2018
Congratulations Jake! Mt. Vernon Distinguished Alumni AWARD
JAKE BURGESS FoxGardin
Honors those whose DEEDS & CHARACTER EXEMPLIFY OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS in their LIFE’S WORK and/or SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY
Congratulations Jake!
Mt. Vernon Distinguished Alumni AWARD
Jake graduated MVHS in 2004 and holds on to his memories of teachers that challenged him and gave opportunities to be the best person possible. Jake went to Ball State where he found his passion in hospitality. After three years, he left to hone his culinary craft in Valdosta, Georgia and came back to Indianapolis as he worked his way up through restaurants. He opened FoxGardin Kitchen and Ale in the summer of 2015 and was recently named #52 on Yelp's Top 100 US Restaurants. He has opened three additional restaurants including FoxGardin Family in Fishers, The Den at Sun King Carmel, and Smokey's Concession Stand in Lapel. Jake has made numerous community service efforts in our county by supporting children's organizations, schools, veterans and first responders. Jake and his staff have also raised enough money in the last five years to help house over 514 homeless Hoosier veterans and their children.
Congratulations Denise! Mt. Vernon Distinguished Alumni AWARD
DENISE KIRBY
Honors those whose DEEDS & CHARACTER EXEMPLIFY OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS in their LIFE’S WORK and/or SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY
MV Alumna & Advocate
Congratulations Denise!
Mt. Vernon Distinguished Alumni AWARD
Denise graduated MVHS in 1976 and has lived close to the school nearly all her life. She's married to Tom and has two alumnae daughters with four of her six grandchildren in MV schools. Denise lives by a motto – “I’m here for others, not here for myself. What can I do today to help others? I hope to put a smile on their face.” After MVHS she went to Hancock County Memorial Hospital School of Radiology & Technology to become an x-ray tech and still works part-time for Franciscan Alliance. She was a MV bus driver for 10 years and still substitute drives. Denise has held leadership positions in the Mt. Vernon Elementary PTO and Psi Iota Xi, revived the Mt. Vernon Athletic Boosters and she keeps scorebooks for girls' volleyball and basketball.
The MVEF seeks to inspire students with innovative educational programming that prepares students for a successful life journey. The Mt. Vernon Education Foundation was formed in 2007 by volunteers who were motivated by their love and respect for great teachers and the students they inspire. Today, the Foundation is led by its Board of Director, with the help of many generous volunteers who dedicate their time to enriching the educational experience of students. The organization works to facilitate through business and education partnerships, the fostering of programs, alliances, and resources to impact student learning and assist educators within the public school system. The foundation supports these areas through programs, partnerships, and advocacy initiatives. It is through providing funds to hard-working, dedicated teachers that we are able to change the way students learn in our community. We share the same goal with all Mt. Vernon educators: to help each child reach his or her greatest potential. MVEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation; therefore, all donations made to the foundation are tax-deductible as allowable by law. We would be honored for you to join us in our mission to help children achieve success. All donations will be genuinely appreciated and will enhance opportunities for the children in our community.
LIVE AUCTION
Presenting Sponsor:
“Golden City” Cocktail Reception Sponsors:
Silent Auction Sponsor:
"Follow the Yellow Brick Road" Parking Sponsors:
“Where The Heart Is” PhotoBooth Sponsors:
“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” Tablescape Sponsors:
Table Sponsors: Brent and Lisa Holverson
Mike and Libby Harris
Kevin and Jill Prefontaine
Supportive Patron Sponsors Steele Benefit Services
Gooding Family
Special Thanks to These Sponsors: Breeze On Photography
Carter A. Hofmeister
at Mt. Vernon
MtVernonFoundation.org