More than 400 people attended the inaugural celebration for the Mesquite ISD Education Foundation Saturday night. The event featured student performances, a celebrity speaker and a special announcement.
The foundation’s Vice President for Development Lynn Davis announced that the founding donor campaign has, to date, $509,000 in pledges or contributions, surpassing the foundation’s original goal of $500,000. In responses to this success, the Board of Directors has set a new goal of $750,000. Those wishing to be included in the list of founding donors have until Dec. 31, 2005, to make their pledge. The names of all founding donors will be included on a commemorative plaque.
The gala featured award-winning newspaper columnist Steve Blow as master of ceremonies, and former Dallas Cowboys lineman and A-10 Thunderbolt pilot Chad Hennings provided an inspiring message about commitment.
The event’s theme was the foundation’s motto: For Kids-For Tomorrow. The program featured testimonials from successful MISD graduates Mayor Mike Anderson, research chemist Cherice Anderson and current MISD teacher Linda Muhl. Funding donors were spotlighted, and Dr. John D. Horn High School student Matthew Montana and the Mesquite Children’s Chorus provided the entertainment.
The Mesquite ISD Education Foundation was formed in December 2004 with an opening donation of $83,000 from the Medical Center of Mesquite. Subsequently, MISD employees have shown their support through donations and pledges totaling more than $100,000, and members of the MISD school board have each contributed to the Founding Donor campaign.
Funds raised by the foundation go to support and enhance programs in MISD with only 15 percent going towards administrative costs.
The foundation's 2006-2007 priorities include:
- Student Academic Enrichment ($100,000) - providing funds for specific initiatives that benefit students. Those initiatives may include, but are not limited to, extended-year student development opportunities.
- Campus Instructional Enhancement ($75,000) - providing funds for initiatives unique to the individual campus.
- Student Leadership Development Grants ($25,000) - providing funds for student leadership opportunities in order to create a broader base of student leadership.
Future foundation initiatives may include funding for fine arts, professional development, staff recognition as well as math, science and technology grants.
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