On a Saturday night at the end of April, the Royal Pride Foundation hosted their annual benefit. 250 parents of Royals and teachers made their way over to the charming Santa Barbara Club. The team board who hosted the benefit decorated the venue with beautiful flower arrangements and table settings. It was a very sweet night with a beautiful purpose. As the adults danced the night away, the RPF was able to raise over $100,000 to help fund important details for our school.
Every year the money raised is distributed across different programs and needs within our school. Last year, the RPF used the money raised to upgrade the Warkentin stadiums sound system, paint our “The Future is Ours” mural, and upgrade the A Lot’s roundabout with trees and plants. They typically give 30,000 dollars of funds to each program in order to afford transportation, new technology, department lunches, and for the past 3 years have funded the printing of our very own San Marcos Kings Page. “Being able to print the newspaper has given me the opportunity to learn more about how to be a good journalist and how to design a newspaper,” said Editor-in- Chief Aurora Ivanova
Jody Dolan Holehouse, who was a part of the San Marcos class of 1977, and her late husband Tom Holehouse, were the recipients of the Forever Royal Award. “The Forever Royal Award is awarded to an individual or couple who consistently show their dedication, support and Royal pride for San Marcos High School and RPF’s Mission to provide an exceptional learning environment for all students,” stated Karen Callanan, the RPF President.
Additionally, there were many student volunteers at the benefit. Sophomore Naomi Voight sang to a slideshow of memories as the screen displayed pictures from our sports games, plays, and more. Junior Adelaide Smiley and her younger sister Jane Smiley played the violin together while wearing beautiful flower crowns. And of course, the benefit wouldn’t have run so smoothly without help from the SM ASB.
Overall, the co-chairs of this year’s benefit, Dani Macaluso and Misha Cooper, and the rest of the incredible RPF board did an amazing job planning and bringing the San Marcos adult community together for a very special night. We look forward to seeing the benefits and improvements to our school, from the money that was raised.