San Miguel Students Shine Bright at the Twelfth Annual Scholarship Benefit
During the spring of each year, San Miguel hosts its signature event, the Annual Scholarship Benefit, to raise crucial funds supporting the school's mission. This year’s theme, "Walk Among the Stars," aimed to recognize each student at San Miguel as unique, akin to a star, radiating their own light and possessing a special story that sets them apart. The Annual Scholarship Benefit provided an opportunity for our supporters to walk among these "stars," connecting with others who share a passion for our work and discovering the richness of our school community, both old and new. Thanks to the generosity of our friends, both longstanding and recent, and the dedication of our Board of Directors, this year's event was a resounding success, raising over $500,000 to support San Miguel's mission.
The event kicked off with student exhibits showcasing our students' accomplishments and the unique features of the San Miguel program. Highlights included the athletics board, detailing the variety of sports available to our students, and the Entrepreneurship club board, where students presented their business venture, "Apparel by San Miguel," selling T-shirts featuring designs crafted by students.
This year, a new addition to the event was the student art gallery, showcasing the culmination of the efforts of our students under the guidance of art teacher Mrs. Aguilar. Guests were taken on a tour, with students from each grade guiding them through their learning journey. From sixth graders discussing Henri Matisse's cutout techniques to eighth graders presenting cardboard sculptures representing various styles, the gallery buzzed with excitement as guests admired the diverse artworks created by our students.
After the art gallery and student exhibits, guests transitioned to the formal program for the evening. The San Miguel band set the tone with lively renditions of the Mission Impossible theme and the song "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. President Maureen Appel expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all contributors, including the Board of Trustees and the newly formed Auxiliary Board, who served as the benefit committee for this year's event.
Throughout the evening, several speakers, including Board Chair Eddie Quinn, Alumni Melvin Ayala, Principal David Palank, and eighth-grade student Lander CM, reiterated their dedication to the mission and expressed gratitude to those who supported the event. Melvin shared his transformative experience at San Miguel, emphasizing the school's role in igniting his passion for learning, while Lander spoke enthusiastically about his future, crediting San Miguel for fostering his confidence and ambition.
The night concluded with Board Chair Eddie Quinn's remarks about the school at the mission. These remarks marked a fitting end to a spectacular evening of "Walking Among the Stars."
The thirteenth Annual Scholarship Benefit is scheduled for the spring of 2025.