Amid much fanfare, the curtain on the 2016 production of Celebrate has now closed. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to ask for curtain calls for those who helped make our 34th annual dinner/auction a fun and successful event.

First of all, I would ask all of our sponsors to take a bow. Before the first party-goer entered the France Family Multi-Purpose Center to help us celebrate, the financial success of the evening was already assured. Thirty-two different sponsors helped underwrite the event with $22,500 in sponsorship support!

The donors of auction gifts and services should take a bow, too. They helped us minimize evening expenses while also making available a wide array of items for the auction and for the raffles. Kevin Bowler and our friends at Daytona Beverages provided our attendees with complimentary beverages, while the floral centerpieces at each table were donated by Larry and Beth Lucas at Flowers Central. Dr. Joseph Mirante and the Docs of Jazz freely shared their musical talents for the pleasure of all attendees.

We thank the bidders who participated in the auctions--whether it was the online bidding version, or the silent and live auctions. Some of the more notable bidding results include $2,400 raised via the purchase of a premier parking space and naming rights for one year for our circle drive (Michael & Susan Dancsecs); $850 raised from the purchase of one-year of school lunches (Kevin & Jennie Bowler); and, $840 raised from the purchase of a silent auction item that included a Yeti cooler (Oscar & Liz Morejon).

Many donors also responded to our Call to the Heart by providing over $7,000 in gifts to help the school replace out-of-date computers. Their generosity enables us to continue to grow technology at Lopez.

More curtain calls are well deserved for our volunteers--students, parents and office personnel. Their preparation and participation ensured a smooth and successful night for all.

Lastly, please join me in giving a big round of applause for the maestro who orchestrated this entire event. Our Director of Development, Heather Voges Welch '02, once again outdid herself. As she wraps up this production, she is already anticipating our 35th edition being planned for February 11, 2017.

In closing, let me remind you that all proceeds from this event help us bridge the gap between tuition revenue and the higher cost of educating our students. Celebrate truly benefits every student at Father Lopez. For this, we can all celebrate and be thankful!

Father Lopez theology teacher, Daniel Boyd,  has been part of a teacher team on mission in the Dominican Republic this week. This is a return trip for Mr. Boyd. He chaperoned our student team last year, and he will return shortly with this year's team in a few weeks.

On March 5, Father Lopez will send its second student team to spend a week in the Dominican Republic on an educational mission. Danny Alvarado-Gomez '18, Palmer Cowgill '17, Sarah Eads '16,  Caroline Herrero '16, Austin Keil '17, Annie Morejon '17, Christina Portuallo '17, Katie Rogers '17, Jessica Short '17, Mady Ufheil '17, and Brianne Yaryan '17 will be representing Father Lopez for the first time. They will be joined by three seniors who are eager to return for their second trip: Bailey Gillespy, Connor Nyborg and Alex Rivera. In addition to Mr. Boyd, staff members Anabel Borbon and Regina Boyd, along with senior parent, Joe Rivera,  will attend as chaperones.