April 7, 2017, Allentown, PA – With a star-studded 100+ student cast, energized by a dozen spirited school mascots, the Allentown School District Foundation’s 7th Annual HIGH NOTES Gala hit the right pitch on March 25 at Miller Symphony Hall, in more ways than you can imagine:
- Almost 300 guests were seated, on the stage and in the Rodale Room, for dinner consisting of prime rib, seabass and a vegetable lasagna with rich lemon and chocolate desserts.
- Another 250 joined the dinner guests and all descended into Miller Symphony Hall at 8:30 p.m. to witness the 70-minute “revue,” showcasing a variety of middle and high school student talent including musical theatre scores, dancers, a jazz band, vocalists and a string ensemble.
- Sixteen creative, civic and education partners offered free Summer Camp Scholarships to 39 students who submitted applications and were selected through a review process.
- A video entitled, Are You Smarter than an ASD Student?, was hosted by retired ASD Administrator Ralph Todd, and featured many current students, teachers and retirees trying to answer some very historic questions about the District, which was founded in 1866.
- The 110 students who performed or volunteered to assist with the show are being treated to a one-day trip to New York City to see School of Rock on June 21. We extend our thanks to the many Broadway sponsors that underwrote this trip.
“Our sponsors, guests and students made HIGH NOTES very special this year,” says Debora Roberson, ASDF HIGH NOTES Chair. “We are appreciative of each and every sponsor, new and returning. Presenting Soprano sponsor, Air Products, and Alto sponsors, Firstrust and PPL, have been with us from the beginning, as have many Tenor and Baritone Sponsors. We also welcomed St. Luke’s University Health Network as an Alto Sponsor in 2017.” There were 100 print sponsors in the program.
“This event is really a kumbayah occasion, with lots of people affiliated with the District coming together to celebrate all that is good with Allentown School District,” says Susan L. Williams. “Retirees, past superintendents, current staff, community leaders, parents, government officials, administrators and of course, people affiliated with the Foundation joined together for a first-class good time. There were a lot of alumni this year from every decade of both high schools, and that was especially heartwarming. I have to thank all the volunteers who make this effort a success. We know where Allentown’s Renaissance really begins.”
With a nine percent increase in gross revenue over last year, the Foundation raised $107,860. An additional $11,875 in free goods and services was donated. The distribution of the proceeds breaks into approximate thirds:
- 1/3 = direct funding for school and student programs in music and theatre at the secondary level;
- 1/3 = unrestricted funds for the operation of student programs provided by the Foundation; and
- 1/3 = event costs and general operations costs of the Foundation.
To receive a copy of the program, contact Vicki Newhard, ASDF Administrator, newhardv@allentownsd.org.
Save the date: The 8th HIGH NOTES is planned for Saturday, March 24, 2018.
Information provided to TVL by:
Kimberly Golden Benner
Director of Communications
Allentown School District
