RBEF Spring Gala raises $130,000 for grants, scholarships
Redondo Union High School Principal Jens Brandt and Assistant Principal Jonathan Erickson at the 2018 Redondo Beach Educational Foundation Spring Gala. Photo
Faced with an excited and unruly crowd of educators, supporters and staff from the Redondo Beach Unified School District, organizers tried the one phrase they were sure would work:
“One-two-three, eyes on me!”
The tried-and-true line, perfected on elementary-aged school kids for years, worked well on the hundreds in attendance at the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation Spring Gala, held at the Portofino Inn on May 4.
For a moment, at least. The celebratory beverages in most attendees’ hands proved quite the distraction.
But RBUSD Superintendent Steven Keller got the room’s attention – and laughter – by reminding everyone in the room that he “can lower your kids’ grades.”
“This night is a celebration, and a thank-you to our staff and faculty,” Keller said. “The number one reason why RBUSD is the number one district in the South Bay is because of the people that serve your kids.”
According to RBEF President Raymur Flinn, the gala raised $135,000 for the foundation, which provides grants, funding, and scholarships for RBUSD teachers, programs and students.
Beginning this year, RBEF will award a scholarship in memory of Redondo Union basketball star Ryse Williams and Parras Middle School student Ciara Smith, both of whom died in 2017.
That award will be given on June 18, during the high school’s Senior Awards Celebration.