The Public Education Foundation’s 13th annual Education Heroes award dinner drew nearly 500 attendees for an event in support of high-quality public educational opportunities for Clark County children.
The navy and silver decor, chosen by event producer Julie Gilday-Shaffer of R&R Live and designed by LTeventions, was a tribute to the 2009 Education Hero, Pat Mulroy. A leader in water conservation and environmental sustainability, Mulroy was honored at the fund-raiser, held at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas on September 12.
“The theme was also a reflection of the fact that Pat Mulroy is the general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority,” explained Gilday-Shaffer. “She was recognized for her contribution to education and the community. A book on her life written by State Assemblywoman Marilyn Dondero Loop, was presented to her at the dinner and will be disseminated to every school library in Clark County.”
“The Public Education Foundation’s president and C.P.O. [chief professional officer] Judi Steele’s vision was one that unfolded over time,” said Gilday-Shaffer, who has produced the Education Heroes Dinner for the last several years—and worked on this one for about nine months.
Water was everywhere as the evening began and guests entered the V.I.P. reception/silent auction area through an entrance adorned on each side with tubes of bubbling blue-lit water. At hightop cocktail tables with legs made of water tubes, people sipped drinks and ate passed hors d’oeuvres that included red and yellow pepper goat cheese crostini; salmon tartare in sesame cones; chicken pot pie cobbler; and tandoori mahi mahi with passion fruit glaze from the Four Seasons.
"We decided to focus on examples that centered around teaching: teachers, students, and learning," said Gilday-Shaffer. "While the silent auction was going on, we had two pianists, an adult and a young student, playing together. We also had a mime and a mini mime as well as student musicians throughout the silent auction area. Lining the approach to the ballroom were high school and elementary students from all over Clark County who were dressed in blue and white caps and gowns. Teaching examples were carried throughout.”
As guests entered the ballroom following the 75-minute reception and silent auction, they saw tables covered in navy blue cloths topped with silver sequined lace that reflected the light. On them sat large fishbowl centerpieces filled with water, glass stones, and yellow and tangerine tulips. Suspended from the ceiling at the back of the stage was a navy blue drape fronted by a sheer white drape to depict the softness of water. Gobos gave the effect of rippling and splashing water. The Delgado Dancers created fluid movements on two satellite stages adjacent to the main stage.
TV news anchor Sue Manteris and entertainer Clint Holmes served as M.C.s for the show, and the Four Seasons supplied a dinner of ripened tomato terrine, slow-braised short ribs with Atlantic salmon, and chocolate orange velvet cake.
During dinner, there was a seven-package live auction, which included a puppy, a vacation in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and a day with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police SWAT Team. Kelly Clinton, an entertainer and Holmes’s wife, called the auction. Afterward came the award presentations and a student tribute.
