Auction Raises over $386,000 for SA!

This year, the Academy’s Annual Auction “What’s All the Buzz?” was held at Allegheny Country Club on April 16, 2016. The beautiful, sunny evening began at 6 p.m. with a “Honey Bee” toast given by Board Member and Auction Chair Jenna Stevenson, thanking those present for their support and generosity for this important fundraiser. Along with Jenna, the other Auction Chairs Rachel Allen, Amanda DiTano, and Melissa McClain were eager to kick off the festivities.

Guests quickly turned their attention toward their smartphones to utilize the new Text2Bid function for the Silent Auction. Our Senior School student volunteers Lekha Amin ’19, Scott Brown ’16, David Groetsch ’18, Katie Hughes ’19, Isabel Iwanonkiw ’19, Teddy Oh ’16, Olivia Ryder ’18, Erin Sebastian ’16, Simi Shetty ’19, Chandler White ’17, Stephanie Zhang ’18, and Lily Jensen were ready to assist with everything from bidding, selling raffle tickets, and item pickup. The Red Room was bursting with an array of over 200 items up for auction including trips, student artwork, sports memorabilia, jewelry from Orr’s Jewelers, and so much more!

The beautifully decorated ballroom and display areas were adorned with handmade bee hives, burlap runners, “What’s All the Buzz?” honeycomb quotes about student accomplishments during the school year, and “You’re the Bee’s Knees” local honey favors dotted the tables set for 12. The “buzzing” of smartphones began during the cocktail hour for the Silent Auction and bidding carried on into the dinner hour. Prior to the event, the Text2Bid utility was opened to all families, local alumni, grandparents, and friends of the Academy, and more than $13,000 was raised before the event even began!

There were fabulous prizes up for bid during the Live Auction, such as a barge trip down the Three Rivers with parent Brad Busatto ’88, getaways to Aspen and the Ritz Carlson in Biscayne, Florida, Head of School for the day, and a signed Antonio Brown jersey. Attendees donated to Fund-A-Need in support of faculty professional development, a new Makerspace, and Summerbridge Pittsburgh.

The evening was a wonderful community building event with faculty and staff, parents, grandparents, and alumni, showing support for Sewickley Academy. An incredible $386,732 was raised!

Raffle Winners:
Steeler Season Tickets – Amy Sebastian
50/50 – Joanne Matten
Wine Dinner for Eight at ACC – Bobby Gordon

Fund-a-Need Breakdown:
Summerbridge Pittsburgh – $54,650
Maker Space – $24,300
Faculty Development – $9,550.