Our “Gala of the Stars” dinner, held on April 18th was successful on many fronts. First, we wish to thank the Lord for making it truly a special evening. A healthy turn out of families and “friends of the school” enjoyed conversation and food with one another at Iron Lakes Country Club. Guests were treated to wonderful music and song during hors d’oeuvres and later an acappela performance by the school’s “Celtic Performers” under the direction of Mrs. Melissa Craig. Attendees also enjoyed an old fashioned “bring down the house” comical radio show performance directed by Mr. Crush. In fact, after hearing the girls during the script, we will never think of “bubble wrap” the same --we’re still laughing!

Fundraising Goals - How did we do? At present checks are still coming in but we are now over $94,000 in cash gifts and pledges. That’s just $6,000 shy of our $100,000 goal! However, if you count an early April stock gift presented to the school that actually brings us to over $154,000 for April alone! Thank you everybody for your gifts, prayers…and attendance. You certainly have encouraged us.

Dinner Greetings - Mr. Brennan greeted our dinner guests with words of warm encouragement about our school family, the future of LVCHS and introduced all attending students as well as some dear friends including Mr. Bruce Ellingson, the school’s former director of institutional advancement and Gordon Baker, a long time supporter of the school and former Board Property Chair. He also introduced Mr. Sean McKeever (Class of 2004) our new alumni director association. Afterwards, Rev. Nancy Dominguez, mother of Melissa, a freshman, sang a beautiful “Song of Thanks” leading up to an excellent dinner as testified by many afterwards.

Student Testimony / Performers - Emily Birks (Class of 2009) shared how LVCHS has impacted her in a positive manner, especially citing how her “teachers care and want the students to succeed.” She also shared how the school encourages you to grow in every aspect, both in one’s educational pursuits and spiritually as well.” Speaking from her heart, Emily also ingested some wonderful humor, especially about fun in the classrooms.

During the evening, Emily also performed with the “Celtic Performers.” They included Ashley Dean, Donovan O’Rourke, Emily Birks, Julia Craig, Juliana Oberman, Melissa Dominguez and Samantha Matthews. Julia Craig also performed on violin with piano accompaniment by Mrs. Craig.

Our dinner drama players were Ashley Dean, Brielle Mertus, Emily Birks, Hannah Fox, Julia Craig, Juliana Oberman, Samantha Matthews and Shelly Brown.

Our Vision Going Forth - Mrs. Juane O’Rourke delivered the keynote talk for the “Gala of the Stars” dinner. She cited Genesis 15:5 as our scripture to “lead us” going forward for both the “Rounding out the Vision” gym project -- but even more so, as a charge for the school to advance its thinking in terms of remembering all that God has done, is doing and will do, especially in wake of the school’s 20th Anniversary
(1988–2008).

God speaks to Abraham, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars– if indeed you can count them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be”
(Genesis 15:5)

Mrs. O’Rourke elaborated that the many “stars” -- both past and present friends of the school and their children have given LVCHS a “rich inheritance.” Now it is our responsibility, as the present generation, to continue to provide an excellent education as well as the necessary resources for the next generation. Once such resource is a sportatorium finally for LVCHS. By faith looking towards the heavens, collectively we shall see God’s provision accomplished on earth as echoed in Matthew 6:10: “…your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Mrs. O’Rourke further emphasized the importance of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE (I Cor. 12:13) as the necessary faith elements to see God’s “will be done on earth” as Christ ordains in heaven. She elaborated that we in turn can be “likened to God’s precious jewels on earth” coming forth from the stars in the heavens.

Special Dinner Announcement: The Melanie E. Smith Court

In reflection, LVCHS truly has seen many “shining stars” in its twentieth year history and new ones are now in our midst while others are on the horizon as testified by Genesis 15:5. To equip for growth, our school administration and Board have recognized that good resources, as hard as they are to obtain for a small private school, are vital towards the complete educational process of each student passing through the doors at LVCHS. That is why our school was prayed into being and eventually purchased and started in 1988. That is why new classrooms were built and added this decade and why improvements continually must be made. That is also why a gym is a vital resource and will make the school better many ways.

Indeed, the most poignant moment of the night occurred when Mr. Dean Smith, our girls basketball coach, and father of two children that attended LVCHS, shared about the life of Melanie (Class of 1999), their daughter who went to be with the Lord in 2004 after battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Melanie was an athlete at LVCHS and was co-Salutatorian her graduation year. She later graduated from Houghton College four years later. In a slide presentation, Mr. Dean walked us through some very happy moments of Melanie’s school life at LVCHS.

And now, in loving memory of Melanie, it is now the school’s goal with help from friends and donors to dedicate the gym’s new basketball court in her honor. A motion was presented at the April Board of Directors meeting that unanimously passed. The school stands in unity believing that “Mel” was one of those shining stars, as others including Mrs. Donna Parris and Mrs. Rhonda Meyer that “blazed bright” when they were with us. And now in memory blaze even stronger! As Dr. Pense shared during his talk, “By introducing the Melanie E. Smith Court we finally humanize the project to help people see beyond building materials… instead thinking in terms of growing the school for future generations of students and families.”

“In truth, this was the real spirit and motive behind all the planning for our memorable “Gala of the Stars” dinner,” echoed Mr. Moser, the school’s development officer. Mr. Moser further acknowledged the diligent behind the scenes work of the planning committee: Mrs. Juane O’Rourke, Mrs. Teri Reuvers and Mrs. Deanna Olsen as well as the capital campaign committee spearheaded by Dr. Pense and Mr. Dean Smith.

Giving Society Announced - In going forward to capture funds to make the gym and the Melanie E. Smith Court a reality sooner rather later reality, the school introduced new pledge cards in keeping with the visionary goals for our school. Dinner guests and future donors to the project will now be invited to help the “Rounding out the Vision” 85/15 campaign by becoming a member of the school’s “Faith, Hope and Love Society.” Be it a gift of $1.00 or a major gift or pledge of thousands more, all of us can participate as a special society member.

From stars in the heavens
to precious jewels on earth…

Each level of the society is a jewel starting with the Love Red Diamond, Hope Blue Diamond and Faith White Diamond. Other precious jewels round out the remaining Society levels.

Gym Update – Dr. Alan Pense, vice chairman of the LVCHS Board provided a quick snapshot of progress to date on the sportatorium. He explained that the approval process, presenting happening with The City of Allentown, to grant LVCHS a building permit is commencing nicely. The issue of water run off is a concern in the wake of so much flooding in the Lehigh Valley so the school is working on several proposal ideas to handle water drain off. Regarding the gym he shared, “Not only will the sportatorium provide a place for students to enjoy gym classes together, but it will serve as a place for students’ musical, dramatic, praise team and Chapel programs.

Very Helpful Support - Michael Reitbauer, a 2007 graduate handled photography while Ryan Mertus, a member of the junior class video taped key moments of the evening dinner. All sound and lighting was donated by Mr. Glenn Carolan (Zerobabble Productions), husband of Mrs. Karen Carolan, our Choir Director. Mr. Carolan also handled our school’s sound during our “National Day of Prayer” participation in Center City, Bethlehem. We highly recommend him!

A hearty congratulations also goes to Iron Lakes Country Club, Allentown. The Club graciously donated the rental of the room saving the school over $1,000!

All final thanks must go to our Lord and Saviour. May our loving Lord continue to guide and direct us. While we enjoyed true success on April 18th, we have new hurdles to cross along the way to raise over $2-million for our project. For now, we simply say “thank you” for blessing us beyond what we had hoped at our dinner. It was special because of all of you!