2020 Virtual Gala
Join us for our Virtual Gala on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 6:00PM PST!
About the Gala
This year is a little different. We hope you will all join us virtually as we highlight some of our brilliant High Hopes Scholars (both current and graduated). Now more than ever, we are inspired by the courage and fortitude of our scholars as they pursue their dreams of a college degree. While they may live in the lowest economic quartile, be the first generation in their family to seek a college degree, or come from a racial, ethnic, or religious group that is underrepresented on their college campus, they deserve to realize their college dream. At this historic moment, when multiple pandemics in health, the economy, and racial injustices challenge our country, our students’ tenacity and talent will enable them to become the leaders we need to build a better, more equitable future.
Hosted by
Dan Ashley
News Anchor, ABC7 NewsIn his thirty years on television, Dan has reported on a wide range of issues and events that affect our lives. As a journalist, Dan has covered stories all over the Bay Area, the country, and the world. As an active member of the community, Dan serves on the boards of directors of many worthy organizations including The Commonwealth Club, The Bay Area Red Cross, The Oakland Symphony, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), The Contra Costa County Crisis Center, The First Tee, among others. Additionally, he hosts the annual “Dan Ashley’s Friends of Camp Concord Golf Tournament” which raises money to send under-served youngsters to summer camp. Dan also created the non-profit “Rock the CASA Foundation” to raise money through an annual concert to benefit the CASA organization among other charities.
Let us know you plan to tune in!
Plus, when you RSVP you will receive a 10% discount off dinner at our restaurant partner Comal for dinner on October 3.
What can your donation support?
$20,000
could support a Bachelor’s Degree High Hopes Scholarship
$10,000
could support a Community College High Hopes Scholarship
$5,000
could support a Scholar for one year
$2,500
could support a community college Scholar for two years
$1,000
could pay for a meal plan, supplies and books, or other expenses
$500
could pay for workshops, BCS scholar events, or mentor trainings
We appreciate donations of any size, every gift helps!
Meet the 2020 High Hopes Scholars
This fall 35 scholars who just graduated from Berkeley High School, or who transferred from Berkeley City College, (virtually) headed off to four-year colleges or universities across the country—UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, local California State Universities, Clark Atlanta, University of San Diego and Middlebury, to name a few. They are supported by our three-tiered approach of financial support, personal academic, social emotional and financial advising, and community mentorship.
Get to know a little more about these amazing students our blog.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Platinum
Anonymous Family
Mary & Stan Friedman
Deborah Lewis & Marty Myers
Gold
Chuck Fanning & Melinda Haag
Jessica Pers & Robert Stein
Silver
Mike & Lisa Alvarez Cohen
Robert Blackburn & Ann Smulka
Peter Brock & Anna Kondolf
Helen & Paul Chapman
Narsai & Venus David
Mark & Gwyneth Galbraith
Rosa Luevano & Charles Marston
The McKown / Brennan Family
Karen & Michael Meryash
Anne Pardee & Steve Beckendorf
Pat & Merrill Shanks
Janet Tam & Kit Ratcliff
Shirley & Michael Traynor
Ayelet Waldman & Michael Chabon
Bronze
Anonymous Family
George & Marcia Argyris
Cheryl & Jesse Berg
David Cost & Kate Stechschulte
District Homes
Erle Flad & Pinkie FitzGibbon-Flad
Nadine Joseph & Neil Goteiner
Patty Kates & Henry Brady
Helen M. Marcus
Julie & Fred Nachtwey
Amy & Garet O’Keefe
Carol Shanks (BHS ’84) & Stephen Hart
David Shanks (BHS ’86)
Sherry Smith & Philip Arca
Tippet Studios, Inc.
Dorothy Walker
Helen & Rick Walker
Jen Wolan (BHS ’93) and Nick Seuser
Gordon & Evie Wozniak
