By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
The Palisades Charter High School Booster Club reported over $140,000 was raised as a result of their efforts hosting the school’s annual auction gala at Annenberg Community Beach House on Saturday, March 11—the most the club has ever raised during the event.
The Booster Club is a parent-run, nonprofit organization with a mission to raise funds “to support and enhance the learning environment for all students at Palisades Charter High School through the support of academics, art, athletics, drama, music and technology,” according to the club’s website.
The club raises funds through annual efforts, which include the spring auction and gala. This year’s theme was “Paliwood: A Night of Hollywood and Glam,” Event Chair Jamee Natella shared with the Palisadian-Post.
“It’s our one big social [event] of the year—especially since it hasn’t happened in a while due to COVID—where Pali administration and the parent community can finally come together,” Natella explained.
Natella shared this was her first year on the Pali High Booster Club and first time chairing the event for the school, though she previously chaired events for Paul Revere Charter Middle School.
In preparation for the return of this year’s in-person event, a number of parents worked together, including Natella as chair, alongside Mariam Engel as co-chair and writer; Erika Feresten, who handled the venue and logistics; Anna Berlin, who handled web and tech; Lauren Schuster as donations chair; Krista Strauss, Kristina Burokas, and Tammy Mozenter as the donations team; and Pauline Hamid, who handled donations and decorations.
“It’s so encouraging to see our community come together and invest in the future of our students,” Engel said to the Post.
This year’s live auction catalog featured four nights at the Four Seasons in Maui, Hawaii, and three days in a private Deer Valley condo. An online auction offered additional items, like Disneyland tickets and a gift card to Brandy Melville.
Natella said the community’s funding is vital for the school. Funds raised are slated to go toward the school’s chemistry department, beautifying the quad, and further supporting Pali High’s students and programs.
“Thank you to everyone who participated in [the] Paliwood Auction,” Engel said. “It was a huge success, bringing in $141,108 for the students and programs at Pali High.”
Natella said the funds raised broke a record, marking the most money raised during the annual event, according to Booster Club President Dick Held.
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