From the Nominator

In 1975, Collegiate was hosting its very first auction and, at that same time, Earth, Wind & Fire had a number one hit, “Shining Star.” The pandemic forced us to quickly decide whether to continue this annual tradition. Despite a limited budget and small development staff, we decided to keep the streak alive, with five months of planning and all-in approach. Our theme “shining star” allowed us to spotlight the many bright stars in our community especially current and former faculty, staff, students, and parents. We highlighted them in pre-recorded videos, special performances (one jazz performance with a notable alumnus), and heartfelt testimonials. A favorite video was our kindergarten students in a segment, “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” We knew live segments were important, and the program was emceed by our school’s “Positivity Committee,” a group tasked with keeping faculty spirits high, with raffles and giveaways during the pandemic. While the program was virtual, many families gathered in small groups and from the comfort of their homes. Attendees were encouraged to share photos of their meals and tablescapes, and tag on social media to build community. Meals included Collegiate-specific conversation and trivia cards. Some of the largest donations came from new families to the school. We achieved record attendance with guests, including alumni and grandparents, representing five states. Remarkably, auction proceeds were the highest since 2013, and included a successful paddle raise for investments in outdoor spaces, as outdoor learning was identified as a silver lining of COVID.

From the Judges

Amazing videos and social media surrounding the event. The marketing for this event was great, and we love the inclusiveness. Impressive use of technology and videos.