Gratitude and Grapes
On Wednesday, April 10 the Advancement Team hosted a special event called Gratitude and Grapes to thank our major donors and Celtic Cross Society members for their support of Saint Patrick Catholic School. We could not have been more excited to give attendees a chance to enjoy four courses of heavy hors d'oeuvres and pair them with succulent wines from both the Old and New World. Served family style to encourage conversation and a sense of community, our guests dined like our students do each day…albeit a slightly different menu!
The evening began with an introduction from Director of Advancement Adair Wells as she welcomed our esteemed guests and thanked them for all that they do for Saint Patrick. She also took a moment to recognize our newest members of the Celtic Cross Society - Peter and Mary Kate DeMane, Tom and Lee Joly, and Steven and Lauren Mazzari. Head of School Lauren Mazzari then gave the blessing before turning the evening over to Stanley Lawson of Wine Beyond the Cork. Stanley is a friend of the school, wine broker and enthusiast, and instructor of some of our most popular Evenings at Saint Patrick classes. He identified what tasting notes to look for when trying whites and reds, discussed the history and origins of each wine, and entertained the room with anecdotes and stories. To close out the evening, Wolfhound alumna Celeste Joly (2011) spoke to her experience at Saint Patrick and how it has influenced each stage in her life. Now a Physician Assistant preparing to graduate from EVMS, she explained how each of the five Life Of’s have helped her grow into the young woman she is today. She went on to share how grateful she is for her ongoing relationships with fellow Wolfhound graduates in both her personal life and burgeoning medical career. She is currently interviewing for PA positions in the Hampton Roads area and said that “while she is nervous, she is more confident in herself because of the many opportunities at Saint Patrick to speak publicly and to serve as a school ambassador as a member of Legati.” We couldn’t be more proud of Celeste. Her remarks eloquently captured the spirit of the evening. She is a perfect embodiment of our mission to educate and nurture the whole child – mind, body, and spirit - to be a Christ-centered, compassionate, and courageous servant leader.
Whether supporting current programming and operations for students through the Returning Thanks Annual Fund or by pledging a legacy gift as members of the Celtic Cross Society, we are truly grateful for all those that believe and invest in the mission of Saint Patrick Catholic School. Annual Fund contributions given this year have already allowed us to add new technology in the classroom, while planned gifts will ensure that a dynamic, total-formative education is available to Wolfhounds for generations to come!
