Golden Gala — B-T in Paradise!

Friends of Brownell-Talbot School celebrated the school’s 145-year tradition of educational excellence in the Omaha area during this year’s Golden Gala, “B-T in Paradise.” The event, held on the B-T campus May 8, raised $370,000 to support Brownell-Talbot School’s general operating budget. The Gala was an evening to remember for more than 340 guests and 60 adult and student volunteers. (See slide show.)

Headmaster Dianne Desler, Event Chairs W. David and Lori Scott and Honorary Chairs Mike and Gail Yanney, welcomed guests into the Suzanne & Walter Scott, Jr., Gymnasium where the silent auction was held. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as they bid on more than 500 items displayed.

For dinner, guests moved into the “Tiki Hut,” a 9,900 square-foot tent to enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by caterer Hap Abraham.

After dinner, a fun video collage of photos from throughout the school year was shown. The video allows the audience a peek into student life at Brownell-Talbot and honors the schools’ families and teachers for their positive influence.

Brownell-Talbot graduate Scott Moore, ’84, conducted the auction.  He raised a record $99,000 in bids to support Brownell-Talbot scholarships and $28,100  in program sponsorships.  The auction also brought in top bids for such items as:

• Reserved Parking on Campus ($18,000)
• Dinner with the Headmaster ($7,000)
• A Year-in-the-Life-of-a-B-T-Student Photo Documentary Package ($5,000)
• JetLinx Aviation  ($4,500)

This year’s Gala steering committee chairs were: Dr. Deanna Armstrong; Kathy Bartels; Karen Burkley, ’74; Ken Costello; Trisha Davis; Kathy Emery; Pam Finn; Tom Kerr; Marsha Marron; Liz Mazzotta; Betsy Paquelet-Patrick; Dr. Patty Seivert; Margaux Towne-Colley; Amanda Veazey; Suellen Willett; and Debbie Wood.

With an enrollment of 465 students, several grades have waiting lists for the 2009-2010 school year. Because the school is independent, it receives no funding from the state, or from outside affiliations. Tuition covers only 86 percent of the annual operating budget. The Golden Gala annually helps fulfill the additional funding needs for the school.

• At Brownell-Talbot 100 percent of graduating seniors traditionally advance to the college or university of their choice. The 33 members of the Class of 2009  have received scholarship offers totaling more than $1.3 million. Graduation requirements, at 250 credit hours, are the highest in the state.

  This year’s graduates have been accepted to 48 colleges and universities across the nation including Benedictine College; Brown University; California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; California State University, Fullerton; Calvin College; College of the Holy Cross; College of William and Mary; Colorado State University; Creighton University; Davidson College; Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts; Gonzaga University; Gustavus Adolphus College; Hampshire College; Hawaii Pacific University; Hillsdale College; Iowa State University; Kansas State University; Loyola University Chicago; Marymount University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Mount Saint Mary’s University; Northern Arizona University; Northwestern University; Regis University; Rockhurst University; Saint Louis University; Santa Clara University; Seattle University; Simpson College; Southern Methodist University; St. Olaf College; The University of Arizona; Trinity University; University of Denver; University of Louisville; University of Miami; University of Michigan; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; University of Missouri, Kansas City; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; University of Nebraska at Omaha; University of Oregon; University of Richmond; University of St. Thomas; University of Virginia; Washington University in St. Louis; and Wayne State College.

  Brownell-Talbot is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the State of Nebraska, the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). It is the only private, independent, coeducational college preparatory school in the state and serves preschool through grade 12.