The Roaring Twenties marked a period of prosperity for urbanites nationwide — a time when flappers were still in style and jazz music blossomed. It’s a place in time that will also serve as the theme of this
The Roaring Twenties marked a period of prosperity for urbanites nationwide — a time when flappers were still in style and jazz music blossomed.
It’s a place in time that will also serve as the theme of this year’s Island School annual gala auction, where school officials hope to raise money for the school’s tuition and financial aid program.
“It’s a great social event, and for the board, it’s a great event to invite friends and colleagues to join them and support the school, because it’s really a community effort and it’s a community-minded school as well,” said event co-chair Alan King, who sits on the Puhi school’s board of directors. “It really benefits everybody.”
The school’s major fundraiser, now in its 36th year, will be held at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Poipu, 1571 Poipu Road, beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28.
For some school administrators, the largesse plays an important role in providing educational opportunities for more children and young adults on Kauai.
Daryl Edwards, associate director of development at Island School, said the annual gala is an important fundraiser because about 38 percent of the school’s 370 students this year received $718,300 in tuition and financial aid assistance.
Tuition for the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters is $14,000.
“It’s such a community builder because people really enjoy coming together,” Edwards said. “It’s really an opportunity for people to socialize, make connections, and recognize the connections that Island School has with the greater community in terms of just being a part of the fabric of Kauai life.”
In all, last year’s gala auction raised about $170,000 for the tuition and financial aid program. Edwards is hoping to at least raise $200,000.
As a part of the Roaring Twenties theme, a live, eight-piece swing band will entertain guests throughout the evening in between silent and live auctions, featuring items that range from classroom projects to a Las Vegas travel package for two — all of which are donated by alumni, community members and businesses from the Mainland and Kauai.
“The Island School Auction is a very social event,” Edwards said. “People really enjoy themselves, and they enjoy connecting with each other.”
The fun part, Edwards said, is seeing people dress up in event-themed attire.
“It’s an opportunity for people to play into the theme,” Edwards said. “If that’s something that they’re interested in and something they’d like to do, then we’ll definitely encourage that.”
Tickets are $150.
Info: Island School, 246-0233.
