Scholarship Awards: The end game of SAEF’s Festival of Tables

New owner of the Stockbridge blood bank, Scott Horner and Leanne Bremiller, a member of their animal care staff, compete in the heads and tails contest.

Audrey Price and Nancy Wisman, a member of the Stockbridge Community News board, enjoy each other’s company and the wonderful food. Newspaper boy, made by SCN treasurer Judy Williams, serves as the SCN table centerpiece.

by Bruce Wm. Brown

The March evening at Heritage School ran late. Then constant clatter rang through the cafeteria as many hands went to work to return the school furniture to its place. The custodian looked pleased as he pointed and gave directions, smiling no doubt because he could get a lot done quickly with a dozen energetic National Honor Society students volunteering to clean up after the 250-attendee, Festival of Tables event.

SAEF President, Jennifer Hammerberg appeared pleased as well. She and Carrie Graham had chaired the planning for a successful 15th Festival of Tables. Starting in December and continuing through March, preparations had long consumed the free time of both chairpersons and nine other Foundation members. Now the event was successful, fun, and complete. People who want to make a difference take satisfaction from seeing a complex goal accomplished.

Glen Noble, auctioneer, has donated his time to this event for 15 years.

The Festival of Tables XV silent and live auctions, raffle, 50/50 drawings, and many donations, all contributed to raising nearly $25,000 for the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation. The proceeds will all be returned to the community in the form of educational grants and scholarships.

The month of April, on the Foundation’s agenda, is time for scholarship awards. Applications have been accepted from many Stockbridge High School seniors who hope the credentials they’ve developed in school will earn one of the 15 scholarships sponsored by SAEF to offset the oppressive cost of higher education.

As Foundation members carefully review each student’s application and settle on those to be awarded, satisfied expressions settle on their faces. This is why they work and plan. This is their payoff: to give our students, bursting with potential, a step ahead toward a future made better for us all.

Mardi Gras was the theme for the second place Animal Blood Resources group. Mallory Donajkowski, Andrea McKimmy, Leanne Bremiller, and Gina Wright bask in the glory of their second place win.

Balloons galore for the 3rd place SSB Bank. Sheena Williams, Kristi Brewster, and Donna Wisney show off their table. The table was decorated by 13-year-old balloon artist, Drew Bennett.

Gordy Kunzelman being, well, Gordy.

The Clarks in full M.A.S.H. costumes. (Tom as Klinger.)

SHS Jazz band prepares to entertain the crowd.