Saint Brigid School Celebrates An Evening To Remember!

West Hartford - Saint Brigid School (SBS) knows how to throw a party. There’s an old saying that goes something like this, “There’s no party like an SBS party because SBS’ parties don’t stop.” What an incredible evening to remember!

Now don't forget, save the date and join us next year on Friday, November 14, 2014 for our annual Gaels Gala fundraiser. We'd love to see you there!

Well, over 250 current and past parents, alumni, faculty, friends, and longtime supporters of Saint Brigid School, came together on Friday, November 15 to celebrate SBS’ annual Gaels’ Gala fundraiser. The room was packed with people for this spectacular after-five event. The gala was held on the school’s premises and was sponsored by Monarch Jewelers located in Farmington.

The evening started with a spiritually inspiring Convocation Prayer Service.  It was led by SBS’ teachers Kathleen Johnson and Sharon Perkins class of ’63, and presided over by Monsignor Douglas P. Clancy. Following the service, Principal Shevon Hickey class of ’75, gave a moving tribute of thanks to the alumni, faculty, and guests. Twice during Hickey’s speech she invited all alumni, faculty, and staff in the room to stand with her at the podium. Indeed, it was a wonderful sight to see.  The front of the room became the focal point filled with past alumni, recent graduates, and faculty and staff.

Before concluding her speech, Hickey paid homage in a special memorial tribute honoring past benefactors: Mary and Catherine Burke, and Anne Brennan.  In Mary and Catherine Burkes’ absence, retired SBS first-grade teacher, Mary Flynn accepted a plague in their honor. While SBS alum John Kelly class of ’69, Anne Brennan’s financial investment broker, accepted a plague on her behalf.

Special guest, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Dr. Dale Hoyt, gave a glowing report on SBS’ current momentum. “This is an outstanding event  - one that each and everyone of us can be proud of. Events like this gala showcase the importance of Saint Brigit School’s commitment to Catholic education and enriched cultural diversity.” 

Oftentimes, Principal Shevon Hickey can be heard saying, “God’s answers to our prayers are a God wink.”  Hickey calmly continued, “Even in the midst of a storm there’s a reason for everything. Tonight is a blessing come true – a God wink. God always answers prayers. We just have to be patient and hear his prayers for us.”

Right from the beginning the atmosphere was warm and embracing. Guests mingled throughout the evening, before, during and after dinner, as they vied to be the top bidder for a multitude of silent and live auction items ranging from timeshare vacations to the much sought after jewelry donated by Monarch Jewelers.

Luckily for SBS Pre-k 4 teacher, Debra Dunn, she picked the correct Monarch Jeweler’s gift box and became the night’s platinum prize winner. Dunn was truly shocked when she discovered she had won a white gold cross necklace with a stunning solitaire diamond located in the center of it.

Across the room, SBS Auction Chairpersons Kristina Carreira class of ‘03 and former SBS parent Noreen Batchteler, offered patrons a chance to win a prize (s) from the prize wall. All of the slots on the prize wall were loaded with either gift certificates from restaurants and bakeries, nail and beauty salons, gyms and health spas, and bottles of fine wine from places all over the world or high-end spirits. For $20 everyone was assured a gift at the prize wall, so guests continued to purchase tickets throughout the evening in their efforts to win a great prize again and again.

Towards the close of the evening people scrambled to purchase last minute raffle tickets before auctioneer extraordinaire, Tom Hickey class of ‘74, started announcing the winning names for various raffled prizes items - including the much sought after lottery wreath. It was made up of an assortment of Connecticut State Lottery tickets of various dominations from Lotto, Powerball, Mega Millions, and instant scratch tickets.

Speaking of families and friends, attorney and new SBS parent Mitzchka Ortiz, celebrated the evening accompanied by her still very independent 93-year-old grandmother, Lilia Bittler. They were joined at their table by SBS parents Roel and Madonna Caguitla.

Drew Kearns class of ‘75 stated, “I’ve been a Saint Brigid School supporter for a very long time actually for decades. My two oldest Caitlin class of ‘05 and Mac class of ‘10, and my twins Maeve and Shane class of ’13, all graduated from Saint Brigid. “

Former school board member and past parent, Timothy McGuire and his wife Sue, were also in attendance. Their two daughters: Meghan class of ‘06 and Kaitlin class of ‘12, also graduated from Saint Brigid. Their mother, Sue McGuire is presently SBS’ Pre-k3 teacher and former Spanish teacher. 

Smiling broadly and dancing the night away, Sally Scully and her friends from the class of ‘73, raised their thumbs high up in the air as a positive affirmation of the night’s success. According to Sally, “Saint Brigid School is thrivin’ and survivin’!”

 Exclaimed Sally’s sister Nancy Bannon class of ‘69, “No doubt about it! I think she’s right! SBS is thrivin’ and survivin’. ”

The 2013 Gaels’ Gala committee leaders and past SBS parents Tom Hickey, and Kevin and Cathy Dowd, were joined Friday evening by a plethora of faculty, alumni, former  SBS parents, and friends from:  James and Nancy Bannon, Drew and Maura Kearns, Barbara Cattel and family members, John and Fran Griffin, Betty Ferreira, Kathy Wilcox, James and Beth Scully, former SBS parents John and Kathryn Quinn (John we wish you a speedy recovery!),  Drs. Neville and Tracy Graham (Thank you for everything!), Steve and Maria Greenslade,  Antonetta Carreira, Angelia Scott-Haynes and Jeffrey Lindsey,  Aldo Valera and Dana McGee, A.J. Sierra class of ’79 and his wife Beth.

Adding to the list of attendees were the owners of Monarch Jewelers, Lee and Angela DeFillipe, along with the CEO of West Hartford’s New Children’s Museum, Robert Griesmer and his wife Anne, Executive Director of the West Hartford  and Tri Town YMCA Shawn Fongemie and Mike Shannahan, Executive Director of St. Agnes Home (SBS’ neighbor) Lorna Little, and Dr. Barry Rosenberg of Rosenberg Orthodontics.   

Also in attendance were current SBS parents Paul and Angelica Guerrero ,  Robert and Sheri-Lyn Lagueux, Yvonne Flynn, Kathleen Wolff,  Fernando Morales and Veronica Alvarado, Diane Trombetta, , Phillip and Susana Mealha, Steven and Dhalma Austin, Kenny Carter  and Paula Miller-Carter, January King, Lucilia and Daniel Rodrigues, Mark Rinaldi and Melixa Bunker, Mary Obeng, and Randall and Jo McHugh, as well as a host of other wonderful guests. The list can go on and on and on.

Before the close of the evening, Hickey stated, “It was great to see so many current families and alum here tonight. They are definitely the strength and lifeline of St. Brigid School. I don’t know what I would do without them.”

Shortly after 1 a.m., Principal Hickey and the last of the volunteer clean-up crew were getting ready to turn the lights out when suddenly; SBS Athletic Director Fernando Morales voluntarily picks up the mop and starts mopping the entire gymnasium.

Stopping for a brief moment Morales looked up and said, “It needs to be done. Someone’s got to do it so why not me? I would do it at my home. For my family this is our home, too.”

At 9 a.m. Saturday morning, the gymnasium would be filled to capacity once again with several hundred people. Saint Brigid School’s enormous state-of-the-art gymnasium was the host site for the Catholic Youth Organization’s Basketball Jamboree tournament for boys and girls.

Watching from the doorway Hickey quietly stated to no one in particular, “Fernando’s not just thinking about the fun he had at the gala. He’s also thinking about our students that will compete in the tournament in just a few short hours. You see we are a family.”