Gala makes record $650,000 for scholarships
By Ben Markley
“Some Enchanted Evening” celebrated its 25th anniversary, the most profitable year in the event’s history, Nov. 12 at the Overland Park Marriott Hotel.
The event is a black-tie gala involving a short program, a five course meal and dancing, all to support student scholarships at the college.
College president Terry Calaway and his wife Marlene co-chaired the event.
“The event was probably the social event of the year in the area,” Calaway said. “Just under 700 people attended from across the local business and social environment.”
Kristin McDaniel, program director of events and projects, said the event is a significant source of scholarship money, establishing 116 of the 241 available scholarships.
“I would say 85 percent of it goes directly to student scholarships,” she said.
Kate Allen, executive director of institutional advancement, said this year’s event was unique.
“We’ve recognized a Johnson Countian of the Year at each event,” Allen said. “The key difference for our 25th anniversary was that we did not select an individual honoree and instead highlighted the previous 24 Johnson Countians of the Year.”
She said this had a significant impact on the event’s success.
“The decision to bring back the past honorees enhanced the sense of community and created energy that this was a not-to-be-missed event,” Allen said. “Many donors increased their giving or made new gifts to the event.”
The result was the most profitable “Some Enchanted Evening” in the event’s history.
“Historically the program has raised $300,000 to $350,000 for student scholarships, this year we raised $650,000,” Calaway said.
McDaniel said part of the event’s success was due to the event’s committee.
“Our committee is extremely aggressive,” she said. “They pick up the phone and call and say, ‘Can’t you do better than $5,000?’”
She also credited the community’s generosity toward the college.
“Our community is very, very supportive of educations,” McDaniel said. “With budget cuts and tax cuts, our citizens are very aware of the need for scholarships.”
While the event was primarily attended by members of the community, Allen said they weren’t the only ones participating.
“Students were involved in nearly every aspect of the event,” she said.
The event opened with two students singing “Some Enchanted Evening” from Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” Corsages and boutonnieres were made by the Floriculture Club, truffles were made by the Chef Apprenticeship program and a sugar sculpture made by the culinary program decorated the event.
“Perhaps most notably, student scholarship winners escorted many of the honorees to the stage during the program,” Allen said.
Calaway said he appreciated the emphasis on students.
“My favorite part of the event is the celebration of students and their success that would not have been possible absent the funds raised for scholarships,” he said.
Contact Ben Markley, news editor, at bmarkle2@stumail.jccc.edu.