Success was in the air at the Havana Blues gala, this year’s annual fundraiser for the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation held at Hotel ZaZa Feb. 12. The event was sold out and those attending enjoyed ShapeShifters, a 10-piece band who adapted the Cuban theme to music on the dance floor as well as Cuban cuisine and ambience.
        More than $100,000 was made by the organization that in return gives the money to teachers, campuses and district initiatives in the school district.
        Chairs for the huge event included Lesley DiBello, Selena Ellis and CiCi Newkirk. Major underwriters for the event were White Level sponsors, Select Management Assets, Inc and Lexus of Clear Lake.  Select Management is under the direction of David Salinas and Lexus is managed by Jerry Foyt.
        Blue Level sponsor is Tom and Lesley DiBello of Dynamic Orthotics and Prosthetics.
        Silver Level donors were AHI Supply, Lifestyle Financial Advisors Inc, PerdueBrandonFielderCollins&Mott LLP, The Boeing Company, Aramark, GIA Insurance, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, Texas First Bank, AMOCO Federal Credit Union, Hometown Bank of Friendswood, Tommy and Elaine Ebner, Roy and Rebecca Hillenburg, John and Gaiden Ring, Bay Architects, McRee Ford, and Balfour.
        Friends of the Foundation giving to the gala include Dr. David and Cynthia Hearn, A-Tec Engineers, William & Katie Winslade, MaryBeth and Hank Alston, John Nightingale, Joanne & Gabe Cuadra, Richard & Diane Swalin and Brenda Kistler.
        Auctioneer was Larry Taylor with Mike Hickey handling crowd control and spotters for the auction. Paige Ridout coordinated and managed both live and silent auctions. Alan and Beth Stanfield assisted with the design of the checkout and Kim Girourd and Erica Jenkins worked with Ridout for checkout.
        Elaine Manning and Sherry Green were in charge of the Adopt a Grant program. Prior to the gala, more than $18,000 in grants were purchased with an additional $16,000 purchased during the gala.
        Best Entertainment provided a Carmen Miranda prototype and a cigar roller. Darryl & Co. handled the themed decorations.
        During the evening, Superintendent Trish Hanks introduced the four 2011 Distinguished Alumni who were honored the previous night and were attending the gala. Tanna Bennett (Class of 1980), Lisa Camp (Class of 1979), Chris Henchy (Class of 1982) and Honorary Alumna Joycina Baker were introduced to the crowd and Hanks presented FHS Principal Mark Griffon with a perpetual plaque with 22 names of all previous and current Distinguished Alumni on it for hanging at the high school. The other two Distinguished Alumni for the year are Carol Cline Vaughn and Kim Reed.
        The FISD Education Foundation was founded in 1999 as a 501 © (3). Since its inception, the organization has given more than $910,000 in grants to teachers, campuses and the district.