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Allentown, PA – Friends and supporters helped the Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF) raise more than $64,000 at its 11th Annual HIGH NOTES Gala on March 31. In addition, in-kind contributions were provided by the Black News Network, Mayfair and The Morning Call. This annual event showcases the numerous artistic and performance talents of the District’s middle school and high school students.
For most of the past 11 years, both Air Products and Firstrust Bank have led the way as corporate sponsors of the event. Laurie Hackett, Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy for the Air Products Foundation commented, “Air Products is proud to support Allentown students and teachers through our partnership with the Allentown School District Foundation.”
The Foundation appreciates the support of the 40 corporate and organizational sponsors, 37 patrons and advertisers, four Broadway Sponsors who cover the cost of sending ASD students to see a show on Broadway, and all who purchased tickets to view the show.
Holly Thomas, Vice President and Community Banking Manager at Firstrust Bank, states “Firstrust Bank is happy to sponsor the High Notes Gala because we believe in the Foundation’s work and we support public education.”
The theme of the Gala production was ‘A Virtual Reality’ and it combined “live” hosts from William Allen and Louis E. Dieruff High Schools introducing clips from each of the first 10 years of the event. The show included students from William Allen High School, Louis E. Dieruff High School, and Trexler, Harrison-Morton, South Mountain and Raub Middle Schools. The show reminded audiences of the inaugural event hosted at Muhlenberg College, past themed events like “Unleash Your Footloose Spirit,” “Back to the Future,” “We will Rock You,” and “Let Your Colors Fly” featuring all of the school mascots and Foundation Board Member Mr. Ralph Todd as host of the quiz show, “Are You Smarter than an ASD Student?” The virtual show culminated with a moving acapella performance of “True Colors” by the 2021 Dieruff Select Choir under the direction of Ms. Jennifer Dodd, Choral Director at Louis E. Dieruff High School.
Guests watched the Gala online via Zoom and YouTube with 125 live viewers and over 325 views to date. Daniel Bosket, ASD Foundation President, pointed out that, “Due to Covid, Allentown students had not returned to in-person learning and the students were not able to produce the fabulous shows that we have all come to appreciate. It was great to expand our audience to alumni and supporters in other parts of the country and those who would normally not attend in person. We thank Gala Chair Susan Williams, our four student emcees, and the ASD employees who worked behind the scenes to make this possible.”
The Gala showcases the talents of ASD students and staff and provides funding to support the Foundation’s work. The performance is still available on the Foundation website at https://asdf.allentownsd.org/donations/HighNotes2021. A total of $13,000 will be awarded to student performance groups. Net proceeds also sustain the Foundation’s operation, making possible current and traditional ASDF initiatives, such as:
- An Allentown Adventure
- Artist Residencies
- ASD Showcase of Academic Excellence
- College Scholarships
- Homeless and School Uniform Grants
- K-12 Music Initiatives
- Latin Dance Program
- National History Day
- Science Fair
- Teacher Innovation Grants
- Volunteer Literacy Program
Allentown School District Foundation
With a vision for enriched education for Allentown School District students, the ASD Foundation mission is to encourage, promote, support and fund positive educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District. If you would like to learn more, please contact the foundation at 484-765-4093 or ambrosej@allentownsd.org. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown PA 18105. https://asdf.allentownsd.org/ .
Information provided to TVL by:
Office of Communications
Allentown School District
https://www.allentownsd.org/
