AN EVENING OF COMEDY AND COMMUNITY
Saturday, February 28, 2026
CHARLES W. EISEMANN CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND CORPORATE PRESENTATIONS
Presented in Partnership with Hosted by
WELCOME FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND PRESIDENT
Welcome to Center Stage!
We are so glad you are here.
Tonight is more than an evening of laughter and entertainment. It is a celebration of community and a powerful reminder of what is possible when we invest in students and educators across Richardson ISD.
For more than 40 years, The Richardson ISD Foundation has worked alongside the district to create opportunities that expand learning, strengthen instruction, and support student success. Since 1984, the Foundation has invested more than $8 million in programs that make a meaningful difference in classrooms and campuses throughout RISD.
Because of supporters like you, that impact continues to grow. This year, we proudly launched Clubs After Class, our new afterschool initiative serving elementary students. We began recruiting participants this week, and the excitement from families and campuses has already been inspiring. Through engaging enrichment experiences, students will have additional opportunities to explore their interests, build confidence, and stay connected beyond the school day.
At the same time, we continue to fund innovative classroom projects through Empower Grants, provide meaningful professional development through Elevate Grants, and invest in industry certifications that prepare high school students for life beyond graduation.
To our sponsors, partners, and volunteers, thank you for making this evening possible. Your generosity strengthens our schools and affirms your belief in the potential of every RISD student.
We are honored to celebrate with you tonight. Enjoy the show, and thank you for being part of this important work.
With gratitude,
Lauri Kelley Board Chair
Cameka L. Crawford, CFRE President
WHAT GUIDES OUR WORK
OUR VISION
A future where every Richardson ISD student thrives, equipped with opportunity, supported by innovation and strengthened by exceptional educators.
OUR MISSION
Investing where it matters most, we accelerate student achievement and fuel educator innovation to create lasting opportunity across Richardson ISD.
OUR VALUES
Innovation
Continuously seeking new and creative ideas that expand opportunity and strengthen impact.
Collaboration
Purposefully engaging partners, educators and the community to achieve more together.
Equity
Actively advancing fair, impartial and high-quality initiatives across Richardson ISD.
OUR IMPACT
Turning Purpose Into Impact
During Fiscal Year 2024–2025, The Richardson ISD Foundation continued investing where it matters most. Because of the generosity of our donors, sponsors and partners, meaningful opportunities reached students and educators across Richardson ISD.
$58,000+ in grants supported RISD staff creativity, professional growth, and classroom innovation.
$105,000+ raised to purchase backpacks and school supplies to help give RISD elementary students a strong start to the school year.
$117,000+ fueling innovative STEM, leadership and enrichment experiences for students.
$63,000 in scholarships helping RISD students turn college and career goals into reality.
$68,000+ in staff recognition awards celebrating excellence across RISD
$8.8 million+ invested in RISD students, teachers and staff across more than 40 years of impact.
Thank you for helping us turn purpose into possibility.
A community of good
Together, we’re building a better, stronger community. State Farm® is proud to join our neighbors to support the Richardson ISD Foundation.
State Farm, Bloomington, IL
The Richardson ISD Foundation sincerely appreciates CORE Construction for their steadfast partnership and dedication to building brighter futures for Richardson ISD students.
MEET THE PERFORMERS
STUDENT PERFORMERS
Berkner Ramblers
LV BERKNER HIGH SCHOOL
El Corazón Baile Folklorico
JJ PEARCE HIGH SCHOOL
Highlandettes Crew
LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL
Mustang Stampede
RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL
LADY JADE EMCEE
Recognized as one of the most communityinvolved radio personalities on a nationally syndicated morning radio show, Lady Jade has used the microphone as a stage to translate her natural gift for making connections into a powerful force, forever transforming culture and the communities we serve. From identifying and advocating for the most critical issues facing the community to producing a television series highlighting Black womenowned businesses, Lady Jade has played an instrumental role in building a successful, nationally syndicated radio show and brand that understands the power of storytelling and deep, authentic relationships.
DEWAYNE HILL OPENING ACT
Dewayne Hill discovered his passion for magic at 16 after watching a substitute teacher perform a simple card trick, a moment that sparked a lifelong obsession with sleight of hand and performance. Within six months, he was booking local shows, landing a TV appearance, and gaining press attention that helped fund his college education. Blending quick wit, audience interaction, and mind-blowing card magic, Dewayne built a reputation as a must-see entertainer, performing more than 100 shows a year across the country. He holds a world record for performing the most card tricks in 60 minutes and has been recognized as a top corporate entertainer, comedian, and magician. Known for high-energy performances that keep audiences laughing and amazed, Dewayne delivers a unique mix of comedy and close-up magic that turns every event into an unforgettable experience.
CAROLINE HEADLINER
Caroline Rhea is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role as Hilda Spellman on the ABC hit series
Sabrina The Teenage Witch, and numerous comedy specials on Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime. Caroline is currently starring in Disney Channel’s Sydney to the Max, and hosts Caroline and Friends, her hit game show for Game Show Network, now in its second season. She is a regular panelist on ABC’s Match Game with Alec Baldwin, and is often on other game shows such as Hollywood Squares and Funny You Should Ask. Caroline was the host of the Caroline Rhea Show, has appeared as Linda Flynn Fletcher on Phineas and Ferb for over 10 seasons, and has guest starred on many hit series, including Two Broke Girls, The Mark Maron Show, and The Grinder. Caroline starred as Noleta Nethercott in the cult classic series Sordid Lives, and reprised her role in the film A Very Sordid Wedding, which ranked #1 on Amazon Films for a full month following its release. Most recently, she can be seen on the dais of Comedy Central’s Roast of Alec Baldwin. This marks Caroline’s 30th year as a stand-up comedian.
RHEA
Empowering Staff and Students through Community Action!
Select Services
ƒ Pre & Post Bond Program Management
ƒ Construction Management
ƒ Quality Assurance
ƒ Staff Augmentation
ƒ Cost Estimating
ƒ Constructability Review
ƒ Master Scheduling/Budgeting
ƒ Facility Condition Assessment
Strong schools build strong communities. Prosperity Bank is proud to celebrate the leaders who make a difference across Richardson ISD.
Ferris ISD Administrative Building
Waxahachie ISD Wilemon Steam ES
WITH GRATITUDE
Thank you to our Board of Directors for their leadership and to our sponsors and partners who made Center Stage possible.
Because of you, opportunity continues to grow across Richardson ISD.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PATRON SPONSOR
BENEFACTORS
1finity
BRW
Cadence McShane
Glenn | Partners
HKS
Lee Lewis Construction
Methodist Richardson Medical Center
Stantec
CELEBRATION SPONSORS
AG|CM • America’s Credit Union • Prosperity Bank USA
• Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
SUPPORTERS
Braun Intertec • Hill & Wilkinson • ServPro of Richardson
PARTNERS
BEAM Professionals • Elizabeth & Marc Calvo
• City of Richardson • Class Act Creative • Corgan • DFW Educators Insurance Agency • Higginbotham Public Sector
• Carolyn & Denton Newham • Texas Bank & Trust
* Sponsor list current as of February 25, 2026
The Richardson ISD Foundation Board of Directors
Lauri Kelley, Chair of the Board
Kadra Alexander, J.D., ChairElect & Vice Chair, Governance Committee
John Cuellar, J.D., Board Secretary & Vice Chair, Board Development Committee
Tyler Farrer, Treasurer & Vice Chair, Fiscal Committee
Anne Brownlee, Vice Chair, Fundraising & Marketing Committee
Chi Nguyen, Vice Chair, Education & Programs Committee
Richard Ramey, Vice Chair, Audit Committee
Anne Brownlee
Elizabeth Calvo, J.D.
John Cuellar
Anne Foster
Moosa Madha
Tammy L. Richards
Christian Rider
Zac Whitley
Alison Zelaya
EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS
Tabitha Branum, Richardson ISD Superintendent
Rachel McGowan, Richardson ISD Board of Trustees Liaison
Dr. Melissa Heller, Assistant Superintendent of Strategy & Engagement, Richardson ISD
Dr. Carolyn G. Bukhair, Emeritus Board Member
THANK YOU for being part of Center Stage.
Because of you, the spotlight shines a little brighter for students and educators across Richardson ISD.