NEWS RELEASE
March 14, 2019
For immediate release.
Media contact: Cara Hansen, Marketing Director
561-345-3103
Photo ID:
001: Auction Chairs (L-R) Emanuela Marcello, Mary Damiano, and Hayley Jarvi
MASKED IN MYSTERY, THE ROSARIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF THE SCHOOL’S ANNUAL AUCTION & BALL
The Rosarian Academy 40th Annual Auction and Ball, Venetian Gala, took place Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Eau Palm Beach. Auction Chairs—Mary Damiano, Hayley Jarvi, and Emanuela Marcello—and their event committee planned a Venetian masquerade for hundreds of members of the Rosarian community. Charlene and Richard Johnson, Jr., past Rosarian Academy parents and current Rosarian grandparents, were the Honorary Auction Chairs. Charlene served as the Auction Chair in 1997.
Over 200 guests traveled back to 15th century Venice, Italy, where masquerade balls began. Despite the mystery behind the masks worn, there was no mystery in why parents, past-parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Rosarian Academy were together. They gathered in celebration and perpetuation for the children of the long-standing tradition of Rosarian Academy. The attendees helped the local private school raise over $300,000 going directly to school operations to continue to provide the best educational possibilities for Rosarian Academy students.
While guests used smart phones and iPads to bid for silent auction items through BidPal for the sixth consecutive year, auctioneer and long-time supporter of Rosarian Academy, Jim Arrigo, led the live auction for the eighteenth year. Prior to the start of dinner and live bidding, the guests were treated to an elegant ballet dance performance by Ballet Palm Beach. DJ Rey took the stage at the conclusion of the program to end the party with a few hours of dancing fun. The energy throughout the night revealed great enthusiasm for Rosarian’s bright future.
As an independent school, Rosarian relies solely on donations and fundraising activities to bridge the gap between tuition revenue and the actual cost of educating students. Fundraising is the key to providing and bettering the robust “Rosarian experience” that ensures every child leaves the school with the faith, knowledge, and character needed for future success in any career path.
Some of the underwriters who made the Auction possible include: Mr. & Mrs. Jim Arrigo, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Johnson, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Jordan, Mr. & Mrs. William Koch, Mr. & Mrs. Rocco Marcello, Ms. Danielle Hickox Moore, and Mrs. & Mrs. Stephen Moore.
The tradition of the Auction and Ball, the school’s largest annual fundraiser, is a well-loved and attended event by the Rosarian Academy community.
Rosarian Academy, founded in 1925, educates students from early childhood through eighth grade and offers an exceptionally strong academic program enriched by athletics, visual and performing arts, and community service opportunities. The independent, Catholic school is located on Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach and is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Complimentary bus service is available throughout Palm Beach County. For more information, visit Rosarian Academy or call 561.345.3106.
