Great Gatsby-Themed Event a Smashing Success
With an elegant event worthy of the Great Gatsby himself, the Douglas County Education Foundation hosted a successful glittering affair that raised supplemental funds for the Special Education Department. More than 400 community leaders, corporate executives, educators, and special education advocates packed the Douglasville Conference Center November 3 to support out of classroom experiences for special education students.
A powerhouse of supporters including State School Superintendent Richard Woods, State Board of Education Member Matthew Krull, Douglas County Board of Education Chair Tracy Rookard and Board Members Devetrion Caldwell, D.T. Jackson, and Michelle Simmons, Douglas County Commission Chair Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson, Douglas County Sheriff Tim Pounds, State Teacher of the Year Allison Kerley Townsend, 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year Casey Bethel, and Douglas County Teacher of the Year Brittania Wright joined the crowd that participated in the inspirational fundraising gala. Greystone Power Corporation and Southwire served as honorary presenting sponsors of the Superintendent’s Gala. The fabulous event, inspired by the 1920’s classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel The Great Gatsby, featured fine food, dancing, and a photo opportunity in front of a vintage car.
Superintendent Trent North says the inaugural event’s purpose is to assist the Special Education department with meeting the needs of the community-based programs not covered by local, state, or federal funds. North says, “To succeed at the highest levels, our students need more out of classroom experiences. These experiences build functional independence, provide an additional layer of educational opportunities, and inspire more learning.” Components of the community-based programs that will benefit from the gala’s success include vocational training, job skills taught in workplace settings, celebrations of student achievement, increasing access to leisure activities, and strengthening the district’s Special Olympics program.
Cheryl Handley, Executive Director of Special Education, is thrilled with the event’s success. “The proceeds from the inaugural gala will make a profound impact on the supplemental educational resources we provide our students. With the community’s help, we can continue propelling our special education students toward achieving their highest potential.”
The gala was co-chaired by Douglas County Education Foundation Board Chair Tonya Jackson, marketing director at RA-LIN, and Douglas County School System Director of Community Relations Karen Stroud.
Click here to visit the photo gallery from the evening.