Page 34 - Priorities #67 2017 Spring

Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
From Compassion to Action
Volunteers speak from the heart and on April 26th, Rothrock Performing Arts Center was beaming with love and pride in celebration of our beloved parent volunteers for the 2016-2017 school year at Priory’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. This event serves as a beautiful recognition of our volunteer community’s unwavering dedication to the school.
Father Martin offered a meal blessing while our guests dined on a delicious lunch, talking and laughing together at their exquisitely decorated tables with wood- 34 land centerpieces repurposed from the Gala, all masterfully arranged by the lovely
Christel Parmentier.
Our 2016-2018 PPA Co-Presidents, Kathy Fitzgerald and Kari Rust expressed
their gratitude for the opportunity to be of service to the Priory community. They ac- knowledged the contributions of the PPA Event, Activity, and Program Chairs. The school would not be what it is today without the countless hours spent on the diverse offerings afforded to our students. From Kathy and Kari, “Priory is a community because of the deep meaningful connections parents make with our monks, faculty, and students. We applaud and honor you!”
Head of School Tim Molak recognized our marvelous Gala Chairs Christy Oc- chipinti and Jennifer Youstra for their phenomenal leadership of this year’s Enchant- ed Forest which generated over $1 million—smashing all previous gala records!— and strengthened our community in support of each Priory student. Christy and Jennifer called their fantastic Gala Team up on stage to thank them each personally for the role they played in making this year’s event a success beyond measure!
With Priory’s exemplary hospitality, alumni mothers—led by Karen Gregory and Paula Hughes—showed the community’s gratitude by greeting guests and most importantly, welcoming Senior parents to life after Priory by presenting them with an alumni parent Priory Panther key ring after a heartwarming blessing from Father Martin.
Tim then initiated a custom known as The Last Volunteer Standing. He asked all those who had volunteered for at least one year to please stand and be recognized. At first, everyone in the room was standing. He continued to call out higher and higher numbers of years, and more and more volunteers sat down, until at last there was only Peg Phelps, the Last Volunteer Standing with nine years of dedicated service to thePriorycommunity. Afterastandingovationforavolunteerwhohasgoneabove and beyond donating her time, talent, and treasure during her time at Priory. We are ever grateful for her dedication!
To close out a lovely celebration, Director of Development, Suzanne Couch acknowledged those volunteers who helped generate support for Priory’s Annual Fund, introduced the development staff, and shared a video message from the entire student body chanting, “Thank you Priory volunteers! Thank you, very much!”
APPRECIATION