Category: get involved

Investing in the Well-Being of LBUSD Students

The most important mission accomplished at the 32nd Annual Dinner Dance was the 2017 Fund-a-Need Investing in the Well-Being of LBUSD Students, which inspired guests to raise over $158,000 in a matter of minutes. The initiative, presented by Superintendent Dr. Jason Viloria and approved by SchoolPower trustees in November, will create a support network for all four schools by hiring a Director of Student Support, two Student Support Specialists, and additional interns. These credentialed specialists will help students build resilience to daily stress and anxiety, as well as support students who exhibit more serious mental health issues.According to Viloria, “The [...]

It’s Mission Completed For SchoolPower’s Dinner Dance

SchoolPower held its 32nd Annual Dinner Dance Mission: NOT Impossible on February 11 at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The black, white and red-themed event grossed approximately $300,000 for Laguna Beach schools. After running into the room and rolling onto the stage like a top secret agent, SchoolPower President Taylor Pillsbury welcomed guests with a Nelson Mandela quote: “It always seems impossible, until it’s done.” He also thanked Dinner Dance Chairs Amy Kramer, Gorjana Reidel and Carol Moss for all their work to create an incredible evening of dining, dancing, and bidding on some amazing silent and live auction items. [...]

Mission Completed for SchoolPower’s Dinner Dance 2017

SchoolPower held its 32nd Annual Dinner Dance Mission: NOT Impossible on February 11 at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The black, white and red-themed event grossed just under $300,000 for Laguna Beach schools. After running into the room and rolling onto the stage like a top secret agent, SchoolPower President Taylor Pillsbury welcomed guests with a Nelson Mandela quote: "It always seems impossible, until it’s done." He also thanked Dinner Dance Chairs Amy Kramer, Gorjana Reidel and Carol Moss for all their work to create an incredible evening of dining, dancing, and bidding on some amazing silent and live auction [...]

Super Success of Dinner Dance 2016

It was a heroic evening at Montage Laguna Beach on March 19th as SchoolPower's 31st annual Dinner Dance "Calling All Superheroes" shattered records by netting over $350,000 for Laguna Beach schools. Superman and Wonder Woman impersonators greeted 325 guests on the Montage lawn at sunset. When "kryptonite" appeared, the superheroes saved the day by guiding guests into the ballroom for dinner, where they were welcomed by SchoolPower Executive Director Robin Rounaghi and President Amy Kramer. The highlight of the evening was the video for this year's Fund-a-Need, "The Reimagined Classroom (and Library!)", to support the district initiative of transforming [...]

The Reimagined Classroom Fund-a-Need

The highlight of the evening was the video for this year's Fund-a-Need, "The Reimagined Classroom (and Library!)", to support the district initiative of transforming 11 classrooms at the high school and middle school, as well as the Thurston library. Created by teachers Andy Crisp and Jun Chen and introduced by LBUSD's Chief Technology Officer Mike Morrison, the fast-paced video had the crowd laughing out loud as they followed a twisting and far-fetched journey that ultimately led to the practical conclusion of investing in our schools' future. Completely energized by the video, the crowd gave a standing ovation to its creators [...]

Chef’s Challenge Whips Up Donors

SchoolPower’s seventh annual Chef Challenge, generously hosted by Cary and Suzanne Redfearn at Lumberyard restaurant, treated 130 guests to a lively dinner while raising $9,516 for Laguna Beach schools… Read More

Lumberyard Chef Challenge VII

SCHOOLPOWER’S SEVENTH ANNUAL CHEF CHALLENGE SchoolPower's seventh annual Chef Challenge, generously hosted by Cary and Suzanne Redfearn at Lumberyard restaurant on January 25, treated 130 guests to a lively and delectable evening while raising $9,516 for Laguna Beach schools. Principals of the four Laguna schools teamed up and selected competing menus, prepared by Lumberyard Chef Armando Ortega. Elementary school leaders and defending champions Michael Conlon and Chris Duddy made a strong showing with crab arancini, pan roasted John Dory and chocolate creme brulee. But ultimately, the upper schools' Jenny Salberg and Chris Herzfeld reaped the most votes with their smoked [...]

Dodgeball fundraiser brings out 600 players

A record 68 teams of students and adults participated in SchoolPower’s sixth annual Dodgeball Tournament Wednesday at Laguna Beach High. More than 600 players including Laguna Beach lifeguards and firefighters dressed in costume for the fundraising event. Prizes were given to first-place teams in each division and for best costume. Winning teams earned $500 to designate to a Laguna Beach Unified School District teacher or school program of their choice. Read More

Dodgeball VI

A big thank you to Kristin Karkoska of Blue Sky's Studio for the great Dodgeball photography! The sixth annual Dodgeball tournament, SchoolPower's wildly popular FUNdraiser, brought the community together last Wednesday with a record 65 teams competing. The [...]