The mission of SA Life Academy is to provide exceptional learning opportunities to help adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) live full and active lives.
SA
LIFE ACADEMY IS PROUD TO PRESENT
SA LIFE ACADEMY'S 2025 OFF- BROADWAY GALA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025
6:00PM – 9:30PM
Witte Mays Family Center & Zachry Gardens
3801 Broadway Street, San Antonio, TX 78209
Cocktails, seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and a short program
Dressy Casual—Pink or Green preferred
Complimentary Valet Parking sponsored by Mark Motors Dinner provided by The RK Group
DR. DACIA NAPIER, MD
Dacia Napier, MD
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Dacia Napier is a physician, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to supporting health, education, and the arts. Her commitment to educational excellence is exemplified through her generous support of SA Life Academy, where her contributions have made a meaningful impact on students and families. After earning degrees in Biochemistry and Art History from Rice University and her medical degree from UT Houston Medical School, Dacia completed her residency and fellowship in diagnostic radiology. She became the first woman president of M&S Imaging in San Antonio and helped develop Avestee Women's Imaging.
Following her retirement from radiology, Dacia has devoted her time to philanthropy and the arts. She has served on boards for several nonprofits and is the founder of Moyo Goods, a Public Benefit Corporation supporting Child Legacy International. Dacia has also launched a new career as an artist working in ink and acrylics.
Her artistic passion extends beautifully to her volunteer work with SALA, where Dacia's creative talents have become a cherished hallmark of our annual gala. Since 2022, she has designed exquisite table centerpieces for the gala, establishing a beloved tradition that supporters eagerly anticipate each year.
Beyond her professional achievements and community involvement, Dacia treasures her family life. She and her husband Lanham, a business investor and former CEO of Rackspace, have been married for 31 years. They have two adult children: son Cade, studying for his PhD in Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, and daughter Avery, who recently graduated with honors in psychology from Tufts University.
SPONSORS
Emerald City Circle—15K
Dr. Dacia & Lanham Napier
Family and Friends of Riley Ramseur
Mays Family Foundation
Rosa & Freddie Longoria
Todd Burek
All Glory to God
Gordon Hartman Family Foundation
The Locke Family in Memory of Gray Jeffers
Rena & Byron Selke
SPONSORS
Galinda’s
Good Society—5K
Adriana & Vincent Notzon
Ameriprise/The Boynton Family
Ashley & Alcide Longoria
Amy & Bradley Martin
Bill Ford
Friends of Catherine Ellis
Chris & Kris Clark
Clay Ellis
Dr. Mike and Meggan Leonard
Frost Bank
The Greehey Family Foundation
H-E-B
Hill Country Classics/ The Allen Family
IBC Bank
Josephina Longoria
Kathleen & Jerry Tomasovic
KM Capital Management
La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries
Marjorie Foundation
Park Properties Group/
Caroline Decherd & Susanne Marco
Picky Pineapples/
Thomas & Aja Pina
Susan & Lon Smith
US Anesthesia Partners
Valero
Over the Rainbow Alliance —3K
Alex Buffkin
Amy & Jeffery Higgins
Ann & Troy Reiter
Claudia & Chris Courtright
Debbie Kennedy
De’Cel and Mark Morkovsky
Dr. Gary and Trudy Songco
Dr. Stephen & Callie Ramirez
Elliot’s Angels
Friends of Lennon
Pilot Investing/The Bletcher Family
The Blanco Family/ Blanco Insurance Agency
The Cade Family
The DeLaCruz Family
The Penn Family
The Rise School
Guests of the Ramseur Family
SA Life Families
Sedley & Daniel McCarty
Shelly & Dan Nitschke
Theresa & Rob Rosenheim
CREDITS
PRODUCERS
UNDERWRITING
Dancing Through Life— Valet Sponsor: Mark Motors
Oz-Dust Ballro om— Venue Sponsor: Page & Bob Vanosky
Emerald City Ambassador— Invitation and Program Sponsor: Supreme Rental Services
Wonderful Wizard— Spirits Sponsor: Laura & Lew Moorman
Spellbound Sugar— Dessert Sponsor: Peyton Ausburn & Matt Leonard
One Short Bid— Auctioneer Sponsor: Jefferson Bank
Galinda’s Glam Squad— Décor Sponsor: Stacey & Noel Weil
Green Elixir Guild— Signature Cocktail Sponsor: Paige & Frank Guerra
Popular Just Like Me— Photography Sponsor: Emergency Clinic at Alamo Heights
LEADING ACTRESS
EMCEE AND INVOCATION
Debbi Chesney
Honoree AND THE WINNER IS…
Dr. Dacia Napier
ACTORS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
GALA CO-CHAIRS
Debbie Roberts & Bill Ford
CREW
GALA COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Nicole Boynton, Lori Brown (advisor) , Alex Buffkin
Abigail Herff, Amy Higgins, Madelyn Leonard, Madison Marco
Susanne Marco, Cecelia Mays, Sedley McCarty, Johanna Mendez
Ann Mills, Jillian Moon, Angie Ramseur, Brittany Rosenthal, Lucy Stevens
Beth Williams, Anna Wulfe, Galeana Younger, Julie Zacher
CREDITS
STUDIO HEADS
BOARD MEMBERS
Kris Clark, Chairman of the Board
Jeffery Higgins, Treasurer
Cheryl Vollmer, Secretary
Adriana Notzon
Alcide Longoria
Bill Ford
Bryan Boynton
Dr. Michael A. Leonard
Susan Mengden, PhD
Sedley McCarty, Junior Board President
DIRECTORS
SA LIFE OFFICE STAFF
Samantha Pety, Co-Executive Director|Head of School
Ellen Shoemaker, Co-Executive Director|Development and Administration
Kristen Collier, Director of Finance
Melissa Toudouze, IT and Compliance Director
Meggan Leonard, Event Coordinator
Jennifer Robelo, Program Assistant
LEADING ACTORS
TEACHING STAFF
Abby Lee, Program Director
Donna Galvan, Career Development Director
Emily Barnes, Katie Clark, Jennifer Davidson, Chloe Evans, Lisa Gutierrez,
Ellie Hawbecker, Julie Hoog, Fran Luna, Jenny Koehler, Susan McDonald, Theresa Peterson, Lindsey Robles
Letter fROM the Co-Executive Directors
Dear Friends of SA Life Academy,
We are excited to invite you to this year's gala and thank you for your enduring support of SA Life Academy (SALA) over the years. At last year's gala, we honored our founder Cindy Boynton after her passing last August, and her legacy continues to inspire our work every day as we carry forward her vision of adults leading meaningful and purposeful lives in the community.
We are thrilled to share that the organization has grown to serve 160+ adults with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) across seven classes and 46 zip codes in Greater San Antonio. The success of SALA is due to supporters like yourself, who believe wholeheartedly in our mission to provide exceptional learning opportunities to help adults with an IDD live full and active lives.
While SALA has grown exponentially to meet a critical community need, we have not compromised on quality. Our exceptional teachers are seasoned in the Special Education field and craft an innovative curriculum centered around relationship building, elective classes, achieving independence, community integration and health and wellness. We also contract with specialized fitness and culinary instructors. Through engagement in our stimulating programming, students advance their social, daily living, and vocational skills. This translates to greater independence and self-confidence both on and off-campus.
This year, we are grateful to have expanded our programming, particularly the career development program to include a shredding business and coffee business where students can advance their vocational skills. It is heartwarming for us to see adults and their families thrive because of the wonderful work our teachers, contract specialists, and office staff perform each day. Your support of this year's gala will help advance our programming and ensure continued quality instruction, program development and growth.
We are continually guided by Cindy's vision and are honored to lead the organization forward. Thank you again for your support of our mission and continued investment in the success of SALA!
