On the Town: Gala offers healthy support of Medical Focus
More than 250 supporters of Providence High School in Burbank gathered for the school’s annual gala fundraiser on March 28 at Lakeside Golf Club.
Upon arrival, guests were escorted to a pre-event patio reception by PHS students Roger Rochart, Margaret Staedler, Alissa Goretsky, Leila Alskaf, Amanda Reyes and Alec Soghomonian.
Among the special guests in attendance were Sr. Lucille Dean, who served as the school’s first principal, Providence’s board of regents member Ken Coopman, Michael and Caroline Cusumano, who represented the evening’s Gold Sponsor, Cusumano Real Estate Group, and longtime supporters of the school Robert and Cathy DeFrancesco and Vic and Sue Georgino.
Also among the notables in attendance were actress and model Devin Devasquez and her husband, actor and musician Ronn Moss. A member of the band Player, best-known for its 1977 hit “Baby Come Back,” Moss is also known for his longtime portrayal of Ridge Forrester on the CBS daytime drama “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Welcomed by Joe Sciuto, who serves as head of the school, and Principal Allison Castro, guests at this year’s gala paid tribute to the institution’s Medical Focus program which, for the past 25 years, has given Providence students a unique opportunity to work with healthcare professionals on all levels from Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.
The program, established in 1989 under the continuing direction of Dr. Arjan Harjani, has provided students with an insider’s look at the multiple career opportunities available in the field of healthcare, along with preparatory training.
Calling the program “a pipeline to creating a community of able, independent and morally sound future healthcare providers,” Harjani expressed his gratefulness for the program’s financial support that has been provided by annual grants, individual benefactors and funds raised at this year’s gala that will be used to further enhance the program.
Among those who made this year’s gala a success were members of the event committee composed of Vickie Bagwell, Jenny Breakman, Kathy Crummey, Michelle Jackson, Susan Yee, Kathy Nelson, Allison Hastings Knowles, Denise Smithers and Joannes Pamatmat.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Providence High School, which began as an all-girls school that first held classes in donated circus tents that were set up in what is now the school’s parking lot.
By November of the school’s first year, classes were moved into a facility that was still under construction. Four years later, Providence held its first commencement ceremony as 68 young women received their diplomas at the Starlight Bowl.
The following year, the board of admissions and relations for the University of California granted accreditation to Providence High School. In the mid-1970s, the decision was made to open up the school to male students, too.
In the 1980s, with enrollment dwindling, a parent group worked tirelessly with Principal Dean, and the faculty to design a series of recruitment and education programs, many of which are still in place today.
Creating the scholarship committee and Providence in Action, an interactive workshop for prospective students, the groundwork was laid for the eventual creation of academically focused programs that saw enrollment steadily climb and the school go on to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
