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February 5, 2020, Allentown, PA – Come out and support the Allentown School District Foundation on March 21 while enjoying a fabulous dinner of foods near and far while experiencing the creative energy of 120 Allentown students representing 51 countries. Be a part of the 10th Annual HIGH NOTES Gala. The event is fun, and features an international buffet style dinner and an exciting student production. This year the theme proves we are “all in” for Allentown’s students!
In the 2018-2019 school year, 10,726 Allentown School District students were able to participate in positive educational programs that, without the support of donors to the Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF), would not have been possible. It is said every year: If you could help Allentown students experience academic, athletic and cultural activities many of us take for granted, wouldn’t you want to help? Those “All in for Allentown” are All in for a Good Time!
How Gala Proceeds Are Used in ASD Secondary Schools
–Verbatims from Performing Arts, Dance and Music Teachers–
| “I use the jazz band proceeds on music for future performances as well as basic instrumental needs.”
–Allen Band Director |
| “Instrument repairs, summer workshops for the Drum Majors, instrument purchases & accessory purchases (mouthpieces, reeds), sheet music purchases, marching band assistant salaries (Drum tech, drill writer), prop expenses, supplement for student event costs ‘scholarship assistance’, busing costs for extra events not covered by the school. Thanks for your help with all of this. We could not function properly without it.”
–Dieruff Band Director |
| “We have used proceeds to cover the costs of rights and royalties (usually around $2,500), costumes and playbills to name a few.” –Dieruff Theatre Director |
| “Money has been used for:
* Professional Development * Mic Packs and Headsets * Stardrop Backdrop * Costumes * Props * Field Trip * Transportation to and from the FREDDYs * Food to feed the cast * Scrim * Lights The money is used for many things and those needs change annually depending on the show we choose.” –Allen Theatre Director |
| “New sound equipment for Allen as well as microphones for the Gala event.”
—Allen Technical Director |
| “I purchased a full-size touch-sensitive keyboard that I use when we perform at community functions. I also used it for bussing costs not covered by the district.”
— Dieruff Choir Director |
| For Trexler-Raub Combined Theater:
· Purchase of license and scripts for show · Show needs: costumes, make-up, sets, programs, etc. · Lighting and/or sound rental and/or consultation · Busing for students to and from Raub to participate in the joint theater program at Trexler Middle School · Cast party, gifts, and t-shirts –Trexler-Raub Theatre Director |
| “Most of the money goes towards our Community Service Trip, which this year will be a trip to Toronto, Canada.”
–Allen Choral Director |
Honorary Co-Chairs
The Allentown School District Foundation Board of Directors has named two very dedicated Allentown couples as co-chairs for this year’s Gala.
ANTHONY M. MUIR, ESQ., AND SARA “JOJO” MUIR
Tony Muir, WAHS ’62, is the Vice President of the Foundation and also serves as the Governance Chair. As a community volunteer, Tony presently serves as the President of the Muhlenberg College Board of Associates and has served as President of the Lehigh County Conference of Churches and Chair of the Second Harvest Food Bank Advisory Board. He helped to establish the Foundation’s Volunteer Literacy Program and serves as a volunteer reader. He believes that literacy is the key to academic success. Before retiring, he was a partner in a law firm of Scoblionko, Muir, Bartholomew and Melman. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Hastings College of the Law at the University of California.
JoJo Muir is currently a volunteer reader in a kindergarten class at Jackson Early Childhood Center. She has worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and managed the Make Your Mark program of the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown at Sheridan Elementary. As the mother of a teacher at Dodd Elementary School, JoJo has a deep interest in the value of public education. In prior years, she volunteered with the Society of the Arts of the Allentown Art Museum and the Development Advisory Board of Mercy Special Learning Center. Her involvement with the district and community programs reflects her resolve to make a difference in the lives of students.
Mr. and Mrs. Muir have three children and six grandchildren. The Muir’s daughter, Liz China, is a special education teacher at Hiram Dodd Elementary School in Allentown.
JOHN S. STEVENS, JR., D.O., AND ANITA STEVENS
Dr. John Stevens, DHS ’63, has served with distinction on the ASDF Board of Directors since 2014. He is a board-certified OB-GYN physician affiliated with St. Luke’s University Health Network and is a member of the National Certifying Board for Obstetricians and Gynecologists. John has been a member of the Lehigh Valley Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities Advisory Board and the Dieruff High School Alumni Association as well as a volunteer for the Lehigh Valley Cancer Society. He obtained his bachelor degree in pharmacy from Temple University; his D.O. degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; and he serves as a clinical associate professor there as well as Lake Erie College and New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a proud Dieruff High School alumnus. His dedication to the Allentown School District is demonstrated by the continued investment he makes in ASDF initiatives.
Anita Stevens, WAHS ’63, dedicated her career to elementary education, and retired from Allentown School District after serving more than 30 years as a teacher at Lehigh Parkway Elementary School. Today, she is involved with both the Foundation and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) and she volunteers her time as a kindergarten reader, and also serves as a member of the ASDF Teacher Innovation Grant Committee. A graduate of William Allen High School, Anita obtained her education degree from Kutztown University. She remains dedicated to enriching the learning experiences for Allentown’s students.
Dr. and Mrs. Stevens have three children and nine grandchildren with a 10th on the way!
The Show
The 2020 theme is “ALL IN FOR ALLENTOWN.” The 75-minute production is a showcase for the City’s school spirit and the District’s rich diversity. It will feature more than 120 students from William Allen High School, Louis E. Dieruff High School, and Trexler, Harrison-Morton, South Mountain, and Raub Middle Schools. Students unite to open and close the show while celebrating the diversity that makes up the Allentown School District. At the start of the show, this year Dieruff High School ROTC will present the colors, followed by two emcees from each high school providing welcoming remarks and introducing each act. The production is filled with short acts and music from Allentown’s best student performance groups, including the Canary Cavaliers Jazz Band, the WAHS Dance Academy, Dieruff’s Select Choir, Dieruff Jazz Band, WAHS Chorale and award-winning theatre students performing snippets from the 2020 spring musicals. Starting at 8:00 pm, the production includes excerpts from the high school and middle school spring musicals this year.
Major Sponsors – (as of 1/30/20)
This year’s gala is being made possible by the generous support of Air Products; Lehigh Gas Foundation; Alvin H. Butz, Inc.; Josh Early Candies; Firstrust Bank; Gallagher Insurance; Barry Isett & Associates; Lehigh Carbon Community College; Metro Design; Norris McLaughlin, PA; The Pidcock Company; Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd.; PPL Electric Utilities; PrintForce; June and Donald Hinkle; Sara “JoJo” and Anthony M. Muir, Esq.; Michele and Michael Pessina; Joseph Petro; Anita and John S. Stevens, Jr., D.O., and many others.
Dinner by Red Door Catering
from Muhlenberg College
Social Hour, The Lyric Room & Lobby: Doors Open 5:00-6:30 PM
- Nametags (Table #’s /Floor #’s) in Lobby
- Cash Bar (wine + beer only), plus iced tea & bottled water free, with hors d’oeuvres
- Student jazz performers
- Two charcuterie stations with hummus, pita, mini pickled eggs, Lebanon bologna and local cheeses
- Butlered hors d’oeuvres: muffelatta crostini (provolone, salami, olive spread); “toad in a hole”; sweet potato latkes; herb stewed tomato on crostini; and grilled artichoke with relish
Buffet Smorgasbord Opens 6:15 PM
Red Door Catering makes sure we enjoy a smorgasbord of amazing healthy and tasty Mediterranean, Caribbean and European flavors, many vegetarian, vegan and gluten friendly:
- German and Italian influences contribute to seasoned seared pork tenderloin in a tomato onion sauce; Lancaster beef stuffed meatloaf with gouda cheese; roasted citrus carrots, shrimp risotto (a favorite last year)
- Orange and fennel salad; and a fresh fruit salad with kiwi and honey lime dressing
- Puerto Rico and Caribbean influences are apparent in the Spanish dirty rice; the chicken stew and the pastelon (i.e. plantain lasagna with seasoned beef and sofrito)
- Roasted potatoes; lentil kibbeh and chicken chermoula seasoning
- Desserts: Italian apple olive oil cake; shoofly cupcakes; German chocolate brownies; passion fruit whoopies and alfalones with dulce de leche
Ticket Purchases
| Tickets for Dinner & Show | Saturday, March 21 @ 5:00 PM | $150 per guest
Contact Vicki Newhard: 484-765-4121 PayPal: https://asdf.allentownsd.org |
| High Notes Show Only
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Saturday, March 21 @ 7:30 PM | Adults $20, Students $10
Miller Symphony Box Office: Tickets: 610-432-6715 |
Sponsorships Available
Sponsorships are available and range from $300 to $15,000. Program advertising, table purchase or a combination of support opportunities ranging from Broadway trip tickets at $150 per student, Baritone, Tenor, Alto, Soprano to Maestro. The fundraising goal this year is $120,000. Contact Susan Williams to support the Foundation with gala sponsorships: williamssu@allentownsd.org, 484-765-4093.
Gala Also Supports These ASDF Programs
The HIGH NOTES Gala sustains the Foundation’s mission and helps make possible the ongoing ASDF initiatives, such as:
- Volunteer Literacy Program
- An Allentown Adventure
- ASD Science Fair
- ASD Music Initiatives
- Artist Residencies
- National History Day
- ASD Showcase of Academic Excellence
- Teacher Innovation Grants
ASDF Mission
With a vision of enriched education, the ASD Foundation has a mission to encourage, promote, support and fund positive educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District.
Contact Information – If you would like to learn more, please contact Susan L. Williams, ASDF Executive Director, at 484-765-4093 or williamssu@allentownsd.org. Mailing address: P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown PA 18105.
Information provided to TVL by:
Office of Communications
Allentown School District
www.allentownsd.org/
