R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : ‘Power of Positive Thinking Helps Laguna Schools : Parents and other guests spend ‘A Night at the Ritz’ in a partnership of educators and community supporters.

Residents of Laguna Beach, who have demonstrated their community spirit when battling floods, fire and mudslides, again banded together Friday, this time to help their schools.

About 300 guests attended “A Night at the Ritz,” a dinner-dance and auction held at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point to benefit Schoolpower, a foundation that raises money for the Laguna Beach Unified School District. The $300-per-person gala netted more than $100,000.

Old World Elegance

To carry off their theme, organizers decorated the ballroom in a rich baroque style. Tables were draped in burgundy cloths and decorated with white urns filled with red and white flowers.

“We wanted to keep things very simple and elegant. There aren’t a lot of props,” said Vaughan Speare, event chairwoman.

Guests dined on salad with roasted walnuts and goat cheese, petit filet with salmon and chocolate mousse. Between courses, they were entertained by drama students from Laguna Beach High School and Thurston Middle School. The students performed Broadway tunes, singing and tap-dancing like professionals.

Throughout the night, party-goers danced to Barry Cole and the Sounds of Music, which delivered both waltzes and rock ‘n’ roll.

The evening’s only down note came when it was time for speeches. The voices of the speakers were often drowned out by the chattering of some talkative guests, who would not lower their voices even as the speech-makers begged for quiet. What would Miss Manners say?

School Spirit

The evening’s strong attendance was attributed to concern about the Orange County bankruptcy and how it might affect the school district’s budget.

“People are really responding because of the bankruptcy. They want to do whatever they can to help,” said Cindy Prewitt, director of Schoolpower.

Since the bankruptcy, parent groups at other districts in the county have contacted Schoolpower asking how they can form a foundation of their own, said Bob Braun, president of Schoolpower.

“Parents realize there needs to be a marriage between private giving and public school support,” Braun said.

Schoolpower was formed in 1981 to support education programs, including technology, science, visual and performing arts, math and reading.

“We don’t pay tuition. This is our way of giving back,” Speare said.

Sam and Pamela Goldstein were honored for their contributions to Schoolpower and the Laguna Beach community.

“They’re an example of residents who do not have students currently in the school system who are actively supporting Schoolpower,” Braun said.

Other guests included Tara Maddocks, event co-chairwoman; Sarah Catz, auction chairwoman; Richard and Lauren Packard; Paul and Peggy Possemoto; Bob Regan; Jon and Molly Jenette; Michael and Susan Pinto; Mark Dressler; Tom and Karen Linden; Jerrold and Joan Bloch; Tom and Sara Hopper; Anton and Rhonda West; Harry and Kimberly Woloson; Roger and Maggie Owens; Gregg and Kathy Abel; Jim and Ginny Jones; Tom and Susan Purcell; Vern and Connie Buwalda; Steve and Renee Weiss; Jerald and Patricia Waldman; Michael Ray; Craig and Roe Reynolds, and Richard Hall.