SCHOLARSHIP GALA RAISES $1.35 MILLION
BY JACK CAFFERTY, VICE PRESIDENT OF COLLEGE RELATIONS
With more than $1.35 million raised for scholarships, the 2025 Scholarship Gala was a night full of illumination! Our students lit up the stage with student body president Amara Davidson ‘25 and recent graduate Joe Calzaretta ‘24 emceeing the event. More than 30 students attended the event and student highlight posters lined the entry area. The live auction was highlighted by a winning bid from 100-year-old Winston Moore, who purchased his seventh puppy and then donated it back. When all was said and done, the $31,000 puppy went home with fellow alumni Paul Vinci ‘91 and Gina Vinci. Hana Pfeiffer ‘25, a senior double majoring in accounting and political economy, took the stage as our student speaker. The Rupert, Idaho, superstar brightened everyone’s evening with her story of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to helping others during her time at the College. The speech set the tone for our most productive paddle raise ever. Duane and Lori Stueckle surprised everyone with a $200,000 matching gift. Then, the Yote family rallied with four incredible $50,000 gifts. The final result was record-breaking, with the paddle raise producing more than $1 million in gifts for scholarships! We’re often asked by alumni and friends of the College how they can help from afar. Bob and Jean Bonar ‘66 helped out by sponsoring the puppy again this year. We also had alumni travel in from as far as Florida for the event (thank you, Pam DeCoste ‘82 and Stephen DeCoste). Two special couples joined us from California. Bob Plumb ‘73 and Anne Thomas returned from Coronado, and Ellen Sachtjen ‘68 and Rich Peter traveled from the Los Angeles area. Both couples were able to enjoy lunch on campus with students and then made generous gifts for scholarships that had a significant impact on the event itself. Simply put, we love to have alumni come back, meet students, and celebrate with us! Please mark your calendars for Friday, March 6, 2026, and make plans to be there for our 2026 Scholarship Gala. Go Yotes!