Sky’s the Limit at Up, Up, and Away Auction

 

The evening was capped off with a final appeal to bidders to contribute seed money to support experiential learning initiatives at Rivers. Head of School Ned Parsons spoke about the life-changing potential of student experiences outside of the classroom, and shared details about two initiatives that are already scheduled for the upcoming school year—a “freight farm” which will serve as a living laboratory for the Grade 7 science curriculum and Harvard’s MEDscience program which will bring Upper School anatomy students to the medical school's robotics simulation lab for hands-on lessons and research. In all, $84,600 was raised to kick off these types of experiential learning opportunities, a key goal of the new Strategic Plan.

 

The co-chairs of this year’s high-flying event were Lynda Voghel and Janet Correia, with veteran parent Carol Kirson serving as honorary co-chair. They and their committee chairs coordinated more than 100 volunteers over the course of several months, gathering auction items, scheduling table volunteers, and overseeing the venue set-up. Lisa Larkin and Michelle Puntillo steered the decoration committee, which transformed the MacDowell Arena into a jet-setter’s dreamscape, from runway lighting to billowing clouds and floating airplanes.

 

“I’d like to thank the parents who secured more than 400 auction items, ran the silent auction tables, and decorated the field house for their tireless work and commitment to the success of the auction,” said Coordinator of Parent Relations Amy Dunne. “The real winners tonight are the students and faculty who will benefit from this tremendous show of generosity by the Rivers community.”