On Friday May 1, the school grounds of Silver Strand Elementary were transformed into a tropical paradise for the 20th Annual Silver Strand Luau. The Luau is the school’s biggest yearly fundraiser hosted by the Silver Strand PTO. The Luau presented an art auction featuring projects created by each class, a silent auction, carnival games, catering from Blue Bridge Hospitality and a grande finale of a Polynesian dance show presented by He Nani O Polynesia.
The Silver Strand PTO announced in Friday’s flagpole assembly that this year’s event more than doubled previous year’s efforts, raising more than $32,000 for the school.
After an initial sponsorship for the event fell through, members of the Coronado community came out in full force to support the event and school. Sponsorships and donations poured in, from individuals and businesses, to make this year’s event a huge success. The event was open to the community, who came out in droves to enjoy the festivities. City Manager Blair King was also in attendance.
“The most enjoyable part of the event? The feeling of community was pervasive throughout the entire Luau,” he said.
This year’s fundraising goal for the luau was focused on supporting the Academic Support and Enrichment (ASE) program at the school, which helps to lower class size by allowing students to receive small group instruction at their specific academic levels in math, reading and writing. Due to recent budget cuts, Silver Strand lost four out of eight ASE teachers. The PTO will hold a vote at the Tuesday, May 12th Association Meeting to donate $40,000 to the program in order to be able to bring back one teacher.
Silver Strand Elementary would like to thank all of the generous sponsors and donors for this event.
Angel Donor: Darlene Shirey, in remembrance of James Richard Shirey, Jr.
Platinum: Daron Case, Cays Realty Group
Gold: Durocher Family, Focus, Friends of Children United Society, Charles and Linda Hayes, Rotary Club of Coronado, Marsh Family, Rodgers Family, Surtronics on behalf of Clay and Angela Stanley
Silver: Cindi Anderson (Coronaod Bliss Salon), Kevin, Lisa and Riley Brenden, Christ Episcopal Church, Clayton’s Coffee Shop, Dr. Howard Dixon, DDS MS, Captain and Mrs. FD Goetschius, Grant Family on behalf of the Marx Foundation, Heintzelman family, Marovish family, Gail and Randy White
Bronze: Valderrama family, Kay Campbell and Mike Morris, Leslie Castellanos in honor of Nick Castellanos, Brandy Church, Coronado Junior Woman’s Club, Scott Grimes (Park Life Real Estate), Cindi Hancock, Islander Ladies Club, Deanna Latendresse, Wendy Sanger McGuire, Rosemary Penny, Reina family, Megan Richmond (Rotary Club of Coronado), Becci Rocco and Bob Campbell, Silver Strand Teachers in fond memory of Nick Castellanos
Contributors: Leslie Angelino, Araujo family, Baumann family, Carol and Jim Beatty, Mary Ann James Berta (Rotary Club of Coronado), Jim Besikof (Rotary Club of Coronado), Charvel family, Craig Clarke (Rotary Club of Coronado), Ann Cole, Charles Crehore, Gail Donahue (Willis Allen Real Estate), Steve and Penny Duermeyer (Rotary Club of Coronado), Erin Everett, Fullaondo family, Hammond family, Dave Johnson (Rotary Club of Coronado), Dave Knop (Rotary Club of Coronado), Ed and Barbara Lohlein, Jim and Ramona Loiselle, Luna family, Martinez family, Mike O’Connor, Laura Orozco, Penelope Pumpkin Penny, Molly Phillips (KOA Fit), Carol Rogerson, Solloa family, Talebzadeh family, Joann Little (Triad Divorce Mediation), Ron Vernetti (Rotary Club of Coronado), Villasenor family, Doug Weisbarth (Rotary Club of Coronado)
Event Partners: Blue Bridge Hospitality, Coronado Happenings Facebook Group, Holland’s Bicycles, Shooterbee Photography, Sparklett’s Water
“Our school would like to thank our amazing Coronado community for supporting our school,” said PTO President Annie Powell. “To see how everyone came together to support our kids was simply amazing.”
Mary Douglas
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
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