2024 50th Anniversary Gala

GALA Celebrating 50 Years of Childhood, Community, and Educational Excellence

WELCOME

HEAD OF SCHOOL TOM MAIN Dear RA|LP Community, On behalf of the administration, teachers, and staff of Ridgefield Academy and Landmark Preschool, thank you for supporting our 50th Anniversary Gala. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on our preserved past and look ahead to a bright future. I am in awe of the dedication and commitment of those who came before us and built this incredible school into what it is today – and of those who currently work so earnestly to keep innovating and evolving for the next 50 years.

Tonight, we come together as a community to celebrate and raise funds for the benefit of all students of RA|LP. Your support allows us to expand our financial aid program, providing tuition assistance in addition to covering ancillary expenses that allow all of our students to fully benefit from everything RA|LP has to offer.

With increased funding for this program, we aim to continue to foster a truly inclusive community that contributes to a welcoming and enriching learning environment, aligning with our mission and values. Exposure to a variety of cultures, opinions, and life experiences enables our students to broaden their worldviews and engage in meaningful social and cultural exchanges, fostering collaboration and enriching their overall educational experience.

Thank you for joining us this evening, for your donations of auction items and experiences, your event sponsorships, business advertisements, and for generously underwriting tickets to ensure our dedicated faculty can enjoy the evening as well. This night was made possible by all of you, as well as the Advancement Team, the RAPA Special Events Committee, and many faculty and staff volunteers who have devoted their time and talents to make this happen.

Tonight is the culmination of their efforts to bring the community together in support of the school – and to have a lot of fun while doing so!

Thank you for all you do. I hope you enjoy the evening’s festivities!

Warm regards, Tom Main Head of School

THANK YOU

TO OUR SUPPORTERS Gold Sponsor Diana and Marc D’Agostino Isabel Lerer and Jordan Muraskin Chelsea and Adam Thatcher Family Sponsor Tara and Max Axler Diana and Marc D’Agostino Kaye Hale and Douglas Malton Carlos Manso and Roberto Redondo Leader Deb and Scott Linke Yuliya Jhanwar and Edu Morales Patron Allison and David Alfano Erin Corrigan and Mehdi Ali Renea and Duncan Dayton Lucy and David Heaton

THANK YOU

TO OUR SUPPORTERS Individual Supporter Miriam Filip and Jason Abrams Catherine and Timothy Birch Elaine and Kevin Cox Sharon and Jerry Garavel Leticia and Gustavo Orsatti Alysa Wakin and Jim Siewert Danielle and Philip Van Riper Early Supporter Jessica and Nicholas Aiken Ludmilar Mesidor and Mark Albert Amanda and Darrell Alfieri Jeanelle and Michael Bickel Marie-Antoinette and Dirk Boot Nicole Peta Bradbury and Nick Bradbury Tanya and Jeff Brogan Jessica and Larry Brooks Audra and Chris Cartelli Jin Lee and Inkoo Chung Tia Cibani Anna and Michael Daher Alison Davis Mary and Drosten Fisher Erin and Matthew Fliesser Lauren and Christopher Geloso Jenn and Stephen Giametta Sarah and Jose Gontijo Sara and Adam Haims Amanda Starbuck Hanlan and Trey Hanlan Samantha and Andrew Heller Sarah and Robert Hendrick Brittny and Damani Howell Jenny Zhang and Vankosol Huang Stacy and Ron Hynes Joelle and Scott Krysa Lorinn and Robert Leibrock Nika Lauraitis and John Longstreet

THANK YOU

TO OUR SUPPORTERS Early Supporter (Con’t.)

Kellen Brink and Jonathan Maloney Claudia and Brian Morgan Evelyn and Matt Morgan Kelly Milton and Alex Morse Katie-Jane and Daniel Murphy Ann Grasing and Albert Naclerio Daryl and Ira Noble Tara and Chris Page Desiree and Matt Palmisano Pascal and Yafit Partouche Alexa and Rodrigo Pessoa Dove and James Quinn Jaimie Mayer and Daniel Raiffe Jessica and Vito Romano Natalie and Mike Scully Heather and Ron Senatore Meg and Ben Smiles Autum and Izak Smith Elizabeth and Andrew Smolenack Rachel and Joe Sondheimer Reina Guzman-Soni and Prashant Soni Elizabeth and William Tong Kelly and Christopher Ullman Lucy Bueti and Max Von Dietsch Leah and Adam Wendel Lindsay and Reed Werbitt Yvette and Jonathan Wong Andrea Alvarez and Jay Wright Faculty & Staff Supporter Nicole Peta Bradbury and Nick Bradbury Alison Davis Amy Lee and Evan Glisson Yuliya Jhanwar and Edu Morales Juliana and Courtny Osterling Elizabeth and Andrew Smolenack *List complete as of October 30, 2024

THANK YOU

TO OUR AUCTION DONORS The Black Family Audra Cartelli Pam Clasby Larry Curry The Dayton Family Paul Desiano The Garland Family - Patti, Bill, Will, and Lily Danielle Getchell Jenn Giametta Hayfields Cafe & Florist Sam Heller Sarah Coldwell - Honeybee Grove Flower Farm Brittny and Damani Howell Ron and Stacy Hynes The Krysa Family Lorinn and Robert Leibrock Beth MacInnes Tom Main Mayflower Inn & Spa The Naclerio Family Ridgefield Academy Ridgefield Nail Bar Ridgefield Playhouse Katie Spiro Jim Siewert and Alysa Wakin Westchester Wine Warehouse *List complete as of October 30, 2024

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2024-2025 Rachel Sondheimer, Chair Kaye Hale, Vice Chair Jenny Zhang, Treasurer Alexa Pessoa, Secretary Mark Albert Katie-Jane Bailey, RAPA President Alex Bellina Tim Birch, Honorary Trustee Marc D'Agostino Alison Davis Drosten Fisher Lynne Geaney Robert Hendrick Damani Howell Tom Lasley Stephanie Luedke Tom Main, Head of School Kelly Milton Brian Morgan Roberto Redondo Chelsea Thatcher Howard Turner, Honorary Trustee

AUCTION POLICIES Live Auction The Live Auction will begin at approximately 8:00pm and will continue until all items have been put up for bid or until otherwise specified by the Auctioneer. To bid, hold up your bidder number in view of the Auctioneer as bid progression is called. Please use only your bidder number. To be valid, your bid must be recognized by the Auctioneer and must exceed the minimum bid as specified.

The highest bidder acknowledged by the Auctioneer shall be the winner of the item. In the event of a dispute, the Gala’s RA Representative shall act as the final authority to determine the winning bidder. Such decisions shall be final.

Silent Auction The Silent Auction features unique experiences and items exclusive to Ridgefield Academy, generously donated by faculty, staff, and members of our community. These items are available to all families, regardless of whether they attend the Gala. Givesmart will facilitate the silent auction through an automated bidding process, allowing you to place bids anytime, from anywhere, during the designated bidding period. With Givesmart, you can bid, monitor items, and receive real-time alerts if you've been outbid.

Bidding opens on Monday, October 26, at noon and will close on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 PM. Please note that mobile bidding will not be available for the Live Auction or the Paddle Raise, but a “Donate Now” button will be accessible on your mobile device at any time.

PADDLE RAISE At the conclusion of the Live Auction, Ridgefield Academy will host a paddle raise, offering attendees the chance to support our financial aid program. This initiative helps RA|LP provide an exceptional and inclusive educational experience for all students.

The auctioneer will announce various giving levels, starting with the highest amount and moving to lower amounts. Attendees wishing to participate are asked to raise their bidder number when their desired giving level is announced. Spotters will record all bidder numbers and provide this information to our event accounting department for processing.

Available Giving Levels $10,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,000 $500 $250

PAYMENT & PICK-UP Winners will be notified after the bidding period closes, and payment will be charged to the credit card on file. If you prefer to pay by check, please contact Jackie Fennell for further instructions.

Many items in our Silent Auction are Ridgefield Academy experiences. Gala organizers will notify faculty and staff members which families have won their respective experiences. You will coordinate with the donor to schedule your experience based on the timing outlined in the item description.

To pick up any physical items you’ve won, please contact Jackie Fennell to make arrangements beginning Tuesday, November 5.

Please note that all items in the Silent and Live Auction have been generously donated by businesses or individuals and are nonreturnable for exchanges or refunds. Be sure to review any item specifications and restrictions carefully.

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS VIP Parking Spot for a Year Secure one of the most coveted items at RA|LP — your very own reserved parking spot for an entire year! Whether you’re attending a school event, running late for a parent-teacher conference, or just visiting campus, this parking spot will always be reserved exclusively for you. The spot is valid from November 2024 through November 2025, and you can choose a spot at either the Summit or Annex Building.

Opening Bid: $2,500

Players Championship for Two Experience the excitement of one of golf’s most prestigious events! Often regarded as the unofficial "fifth major," the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is a bucket-list opportunity for any golf fan.

Package includes: Tickets for the final rounds on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, 2025 A 3-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Dinner for two at Ruth's Chris Steak House Opening Bid: $3,500

Seven Nights at Rancho Alegre Indulge in a luxurious Costa Rican getaway at Rancho Alegre.

This spacious 6-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom estate features a swimming pool and outdoor bar, offering ample space for up to 16 guests—perfect for a group retreat. The property blends modern luxury with old-world hacienda charm, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.

Enjoy on-site activities such as access to the Beach Club, multiple beaches, a golf course, mountain biking trails, horseback riding, tennis, and pickleball. Included with your stay are an SUV, a pickup truck, and a golf cart for easy exploration.

Location: Hacienda Pinilla Community, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (15 minutes south of Tamarindo) Opening Bid: $4,000 Tw0 (2) Floor Seats – Jingle Ball '24 Start the holiday season in style with two (2) floor seats to the sold-out Z100 Jingle Ball on Friday, December 13, at 7:00 PM at Madison Square Garden.

Get ready for an unforgettable night of live performances by Katy Perry, Tate McRae, Twenty One Pilots, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, The Kid LAROI, Madison Beer, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, and NCT Dream.

This package also includes round-trip car service and exclusive Jingle Ball swag.

Opening Bid: $2,500

As we celebrate the past 50 years, we reflect with gratitude on our journey of growth, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the students who have made our community so special. Our mission to celebrate childhood, pursue excellence, and cultivate kindness has been the foundation of all we do, and it will continue to guide us into the future.

This milestone also reminds us of the importance of making our community accessible to all. We encourage you to generously support tonight’s gala, and in turn, the school’s financial aid program. Together, we can continue to provide a nurturing environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Thank you for your generosity, your support, and for being an essential part of this extraordinary community. Here’s to many more years of discovery, growth, and success.

With gratitude, The RA|LP Board of Trustees

The Malton Family is proud to be part of this momentous occasion in RA|LP’s history. We invite you to join us in celebrating by generously supporting the school’s financial aid program, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to experience the same wonderful, student-centered, and joyful learning environment that we are so fortunate to enjoy.

RAPA is honored to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community. Through our shared commitment to nurturing and enriching the lives of our children, we continue to shape their educational journey.

Tonight, we come together not only to celebrate a milestone but also to strengthen the bonds that make our school so special. Let’s enjoy this evening together—reflecting on our collective accomplishments and looking forward to an even brighter future for RA|LP and its families.

HONORING OUR PAST Congratulations to Ridgefield Academy|Landmark Preschool on 50 incredible years of educational excellence. We are grateful for the challenging academics, dedicated teachers, and enriching experiences that prepare students for the future. Here’s to the next 50 years of inspiring students and fostering a lifelong love of learning!

~ Max, Tara, and Eleanor Axler

CELEB

TING OUR FUTURE

A Heartfelt Thank You To The Amazing And Dedicated

Faculty & Staff You Are Truly The Best!

Congratulations to the RA|LP Community on 50 Years of Joyful Learning!

~ The Wattley-Kingman Family Abigail ’97, Kevin, Henry, & Libby

Marc & Diana D’Agostino

The Manso Redondo Family is thrilled to celebrate Ridgefield Academy|Landmark Preschool’s 50th anniversary, honoring the exceptional early childhood program that has been the foundation for so many young learners. Landmark Preschool’s commitment to joyful, nurturing, and student-centered education creates a lasting impact on our children’s lives, inspiring a lifelong love of learning.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025

Curious About What’s Next?

Come Experience It! Discover the next step in your family’s RA|LP journey!

Current families with children entering Kindergarten through Grade 8 in Fall 2025 are invited to experience a morning at RA. Observe classes in session and join a student panel featuring voices from our Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.

Thursday, January 16, 2025 8:45 - 11:00 AM Bring Along An Interested Friend!

RSVP: ridgefieldacademy.org/admission/admission-events

Thank You For Your Generous Support

www.ridgefieldacademy.org/50-years