What Annual Gala isn't complete without friends, food, praises and prizes?
First things first: This wouldn't be as successful as it was without our sponsors.
Gold Level:
First Bank of Highland Park
Bronze Level:
Highland Park Bank and Trust
Highland Park Physical Medicine
Midwest Young Artists Conservatory
Ravinia Festival
ServPro - Team Olson
Joe Palminteri State Farm Agency
Sunset Foods
Cocktail Hour Sponsors:
DiVinci Painters
Endeavor Health
Glass America
McMahon Services
Muller Honda
Our honoree, Highland Park Community Foundation's Terri Olian expressed her gratitude for the honor, and looks forward to future collaborations with our Club. Len Tenner surprised Interact facilitators Brad Swanson and Ida Fiore with a District Grant of $2560 for the Interact Club. Special guests included DG Marlene Frisbie and DG-Elect Mariana Alfar and her husband, Kurt Zoller.
Silent Auction items -
Highland Park Bank & Trust wine basket - Jessica Scott-Tolentino;
Ravinia Market baskets Len Tenner, and Mackenzie Holley and Deanna Kranz;
Honey House basket, Len Tenner;
Gentleman's Pour basket, Carolyn Cerf;
Bloomin' in Style basket, Carolyn Cerf;
Lynfred Wine Basket, Denni Dominguez,
Astra Coffee Basket, Jessica Scott-Tolentino;
Sally's Nuts and the International Travels Baskets went to Len Tenner.
Raffle winners were:
Diana Sotelo ($50 Abigail's gift certificate),
DG Marlene Frisbie ($50 Abigail's gift certificate),
Doris Xie ($50 Abigail's gift certificate),
Phil Lazarus won $200 Elle Styles consultation,
and the winner of the jackpot was, Mary Beth!
Thank you to Exmoor for a beautiful venue and wonderful staff! Thank you to the committee: Doris Xie, Ben Jagim and help from Briana Drevlow-Jagim, Michael Babian, Jack Diamond, Karla and Dale Mugler, and Mary Beth! Thank you to the Interact Students and Carolyn Cerf for stepping to help as well.
DG Nominee Mariana Alfar had this to say about our Interact Students in this week's The 411:
As we celebrate May, Rotary’s Youth Service Month, I was especially inspired recently while attending the gala for the Rotary Club of Highland Park-Highwood. One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was seeing the remarkable Highland Park High School Interact Club so proudly represented.
With nearly 100 student members, the Interact Club has become one of the school’s largest volunteer organizations, actively serving the community through projects supporting food insecurity, environmental initiatives, and literacy efforts. What touched me most was witnessing these young men and women embrace the spirit of “Service Above Self” at such an early age. Their kindness, compassion, energy, and willingness to serve others give all of us hope for the future.
Moments like these remind us that Rotary’s greatest investment is not only in projects, but in people. Across District 6440, our clubs continue to mentor and empower the next generation of leaders, proving that the future of Rotary is bright, compassionate, and deeply committed to making a difference.
