Denim and Diamonds gala continues virtually

Alissa Chang, Staff Writer • March 15, 2021

Lovejoy Schools Foundation hosts the first-ever virtual Denim & Diamonds event. This gala fundraiser will include an online auction, food, and raffle prizes.

Each year, the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools hosts the Denim & Diamonds gala fundraiser. Denim & Diamonds ticket sales open March 15, and the event itself is scheduled for May 1.

“Food, entertainment, and swag bags can be picked up between 5-6:30 p.m. at Creekwood UMC,” Denim & Diamonds chair Casey Jones said. “The main event, aka our live auction, begins at 8:30 p.m.”

The Denim & Diamonds gala is planned as a virtual fundraiser this year. With the event taking place virtually, students will be able to attend this year for the first time and even win raffle prizes.

“For the first time ever, we had a unique opportunity to think creatively and present a fun and engaging experience for various size groups of supporters both within and beyond our district,” Jones said. “We have heard so much excited buzz across the community, and we anticipate a record number of ticket sales.”

This year’s Denim & Diamonds fundraising event holds raffles for several prizes. The event will take place virtually on May 1. (Courtesy of Casey Jones)

Attendees can choose between four different packages for different sized groups, as well as three different restaurant options: Maggiano’s Little Italy, Mi Cocina or Sugarfire Smoke House BBQ to pick up food.

“I am just most happy that this is for the district, and that it’ll be us students who are benefiting from this,” sophomore Bryce Bobo said.

Raffle prizes include a Peloton bike, an Apple MacBook Pro, a 55 inch Frame TV, a PlayStation 5 with gaming accessories and a hotel stay in the Disney area for seven nights and eight people. Several entertainment events are also planned outside of the main auction and raffle drawings, including murder mystery games, card games, and other party games.

“I am thankful that the foundation came up with such a creative solution so that people can bond and participate in a safe manner,” parent Elizabeth Goertz said. “I think it’s fun that families can participate together, which would be a first, but also people can get together in smaller groups across the district to participate.”

As it is each year, funds raised from the gala go toward the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.

“I love that virtual Denim & Diamonds will be so similar to what we know D and D to be—food, fun, fellowship and fundraising,” Goertz said.

About the Contributors

Alissa Chang, Staff Writer

Freshman Alissa Chang is excited to join The Red Ledger as a staff writer. After joining journalism on a whim in seventh grade, Alissa was surprised by how much she enjoyed the class. In addition to journalism, Alissa loves all things music. She listens to a variety of music genres, some of her favorite artists include the Beach Boys, Ariana Grande and BLACKPINK. Alissa mainly plays the violin but is constantly trying to learn new instruments too, such as the ukulele, piano and guitar. While creative thinking is Alissa’s forte, she also prides herself on being only one of two freshmen taking pre-calculus this year. Outside of school, Alissa can be found playing with her golden lab retriever, Ava, taking care of her new chickens or hanging out with her friends over a large jasmine milk tea with boba, half sugar and light ice.

Hannah Gonzalez, Graphics Editor

Mama Mia, here we go again. As she takes her last ride in the TRL classroom, Hannah Gonzalez is ready to end this year with a bang. Gonzalez serves as a Co-Graphics editor for the third year in a row and this is her fourth year on staff. When she’s not making killer graphics, you can most likely find Gonzalez on the volleyball court, at FCA meetings, in school or going for a joy ride in the Jeep that she named “Beep.” Although TRL is life, Gonzalez also enjoys going for late-night ice cream runs, watching early morning sunrises, going to church every Sunday morning and going on an occasional lake trip. To add to her list of accomplishments, Gonzalez has won three state championships and is looking for a fourth. With her happy planner by her side, Gonzalez is looking forward to kicking procrastination to the curb as she conquers her final year as a high school student.