On the Town: School supporters enjoy a tropical evening
With a greeting of leis and shell necklaces, the spirit of aloha wafted through the campus of St. Francis Xavier School like a Hawaiian trade wind as more than 200 parents, staff, faculty, alumni and supporters gathered to raise funds for capital improvements this past Saturday evening.
The Hawaiian-themed fundraiser, which included an extensive silent auction, luau dinner and entertainment provided by Bobbi and Brice Cranston and Island Inspirations, was chaired by JoDee Geryak and Lisa Spellman.
“All of the proceeds from this annual event benefit our capital-improvement fund,” Geryak said. “This year we are specifically focusing on our playground — creating shaded areas and beautifying the grounds.”
The evening, a culmination of a yearlong planning process was made possible by committee members Natalie Augustine, Katrina Campion, Dawn Castro, Claire Chipman, Yvette Coontz, Rochelle Cruz, Joanne Defillipo, De Dollar, Bobby and Heather Dragulescu, Nancy Francia, Michele Funaro, Annie Ghazarians, Jose and Mabel Giron, Gwen Hardin, Elaine and Tracey Hodges, Cheri Kehrli, April Klimko, Melanie Lantin, Debbie Maddign, Fiorella Marrero, Jennifer Maynes, Karen Moreno, Tracy Neilson, Ellen Petty, Carrie Pool, Melissa Procanik, Rebecca Quacquarini, Vivian Santos, Jenn Segal, Stacey Stanley, Arlene Villarin and Elaine Wickersheim.
Among the notables who enjoyed the event that was emceed by Jim Roope, was the school’s principal, Paul Sullivan, former Burbank City Manager Mike Flad, Cindy Giraldo, who serves as the director of financial services for the city of Burbank, and Brett Howard, president of Howard Reality Group.
St. Francis Xavier School, comprised of kindergarten through eighth grade, is located on grounds in the Verdugo Hills that were donated by the Cabrini Nuns in 1954 to establish the school’s parish.
Under Mother Frances Cabrini’s order, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart opened the school in 1956 and ran the educational programs until the order was called back to New York in 1970. Today, the school is staffed by lay people.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
