Sacred Heart High School’s 2nd Annual Gala and honoree dinner was held on June 30 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels. With nearly 300 hundred guests in attendance, the event succeeded in grossing over $80,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, silent and live auctions, advertisements in the event program, and donations. The proceeds go towards support of the Comet Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to students in need of tuition assistance. A private, non-profit, all-girls Catholic high school in the Lincoln Heights area, Sacred Heart relies heavily on the support from foundations, alumnae, and friends. The proceeds from the event nearly doubled the amount from the previous year, making it the school’s most successful event.
The event was themed “Together We Empower” and began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and entertainment from a live Cumbia & Salsa Orchestra. KTLA’s Morning News anchor and Emmy Award-winner Lynette Romero served as the event MC.
Five honorees received “Mother Pia Backes Award,” named for the Dominican sister who was 24 years old when she and her companions founded the Dominican Sisters of San Jose. The honorees were Sister Johnellen Turner, O.P. ‘65, principal at St. Catherine’s Academy; Mr. John Watkins, Catholic Schools Advisor; Monsignor Tim Dyer, pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church; and the Martin Family, Dr. Shane Martin, Ph.D., Dean and Professor of the School of Education and Dean of Graduate Studies of Loyola Marymount University, and Mrs. Lucille Koch Martin ‘45, a Catholic Education Advocate.
Each honoree gave an inspiring discourse on their own experiences of Catholic education and faith. “It was wonderful to see so many alumnae and friends of Sacred Heart High School come together to support Catholic education,” says Director of Development, Rachel Sanchez. “We are blessed to have a supportive community.”
“This Gala makes me feel proud to be an alumna of Sacred Heart! I enjoy giving back to my alma mater, and more importantly, helping girls receive the same Catholic education that empowered me,” said Consultative School Board member Irene Recendez.
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