Dear Friend,
Our biggest event of the year, the
27th Annual Soaring to Excellence Celebration, will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater. You are cordially invited to participate in the festivities! Tickets are $25.
Click here to purchase your ticket today or call Zuhair at 510-233-1464.
We have a lot to celebrate this year! Here are just some of the reasons:
Award WinnersWe are so proud and honored to be able to recognize five teachers with our Teaching Excellence Awards and our 66 Scholarship recipients. This year, we are also showcasing the work of our College Access Network and Out-of-School Time collaborative partners by recognizing a Collaborative Partner of the Year. During the event, you’ll have a chance to meet these award winners and hear their stories first-hand.
Inspirational SpeakersYou’ll hear from Keynote Speaker Assemblymember and former West Contra Costa County School and Ed Fund Board member Tony Thurmond. He cares deeply about public education and we’re honored that he’s our keynote speaker.
Two of our Ed Fund Scholarship winners will be addressing the audience on behalf of their peers. It is the highlight of the evening to hear how these students overcame all obstacles to become college-bound high school seniors.The Scholarship Program is generously supported by the College Futures Foundation, Irene S. Scully Family Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, Ronald Whittier Family Foundation, and the Schroeder Family Foundation.
Student PerformancesThis year we are featuring student performances by two Ed Fund Arts & Music Impact Grantees, the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts and the Mira Vista Elementary School Oakland Youth Chorus during the awards ceremony.
Guests will also enjoy the music of the Pinole Valley High School Band as they will be performing throughout the evening. We’re thrilled that our students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents to you.
Community SupportersEveryone will have an opportunity to show their support for the Ed Fund at our Fund-a-Need auction in support of the Scholarship Program. This year, we are launching our Fund-a-Need campaign in advance of the event so that even those people who are unable to attend the event will be able to participate. Keep a look out for more information in your email.
We are especially grateful to the 14 businesses which have sponsored the event to date, including our Magna Cum Laude anonymous sponsor and Cum Laude Sponsors Chamberlin Family Foundation, Chevron Products Company, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Orbach Huff Suarez & Henderson. There are still opportunities for you to become a sponsor or take out a tribute ad in support of one of our awardees.
Contact us for more information.
We hope to see you on Thursday, April 30. It promises to be an inspiring and moving celebration.
Sincerely,
Joel Mackey
Executive Director
Thirty-five college advisors, some of the finest in the Bay Area, volunteered their time to provide 1:1, personalized college advisory sessions to 60 high school juniors and their parent(s) at the free Road to College event, hosted by Ed Fund in collaboration with the Gooden College Connection and the West County College Access Network on March 28 at the De Jean Middle School.
