The Luv Ya Blue Gala celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation was a success in all directions.
            The fundraising event was held at the Hotel ZaZa in Houston over the Valentine Weekend. Distinguished alumni, a new grant project, both silent and live auctions as well as dinner and dancing were all on board that night.

           Three weeks prior to the event, the tables were sold out! A record 480 people attended. 
            Being honored were Chris Norton (Class of 1964), Glenda McDonald (Class of 1973), Mark Griffon (Class of 1978), Dannielle Thomas (Class of 1981), Patrick Buzzard (Class of 1988) and Honorary Alumni given posthumously to Dr. Richard Conway.
            Former Distinguished Alumni Larry Taylor and Anita Griffon presented the newly inducted their awards.
            Auction record amounts were collected in both live and silent auctions. Mike Hickey, Foundation director and former president of the group, served as auctioneer.
            As a pilot project, a new Adopt a Grant program was underway that evening through the help of grant committee members Elaine Manning, Zoe Buzbee and Sherry Green. During the evening, 12 grants were purchased by families and members of those groups will be present when the grants are presented to the teachers.
            “Since the fundraising part of the night really centers around money that will be used for teacher/campus grants, we thought we would also offer grants directly. People could choose by campus and subject,” Green said. “Math and science were the most popular subjects that night.”
            The Adopt a Grant program will now continue through the individual campus websites.
            Chairs for the evening, CiCi Newkirk and Lesley DiBello were pleased with the results.
            “It was the perfect Valentine evening. Many stayed in the hotel for the evening, we had fun dining and dancing and the mixing and mingling didn’t stop until the band played its last note,” Newkirk said. “Even then, the party kept going. Thanks to all who helped make it the event of the year!”
            Underwriters for this year’s event helped make the night possible. This included major underwriter, Lexus of Clear Lake. Assisting also were HomeTown Bank of Friendswood, Deanna Baggett with Stanfield Properties, GIA, Select Management, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, Guy & Jean Crouch, Kevin & CiCi Newkirk, Lesley & Tom DiBello, Hill Sand, Heritage Bank, Drs. Matt & Pam Robinson, Bay Architects, Tommy & Elaine Ebner and Balfour.
            Major Donors to the FEF were also recognized and attended: Moody Foundation, The Boeing Company, and Elaine and Walter Manning Jr.