Sail Into Summer

A cool May evening and a breathtaking view at the Squantum Association in East Providence was the setting for School One's annual scholarship event, Scholar Dollars. The nautical theme and waterfront location inspired many attendees to don their favorite sailing attire, including Sovereign Bank VP Damon Arpin, who dressed as his favorite red and white nautical character- Gilligan.

Parent and alumni parent volunteers worked closely with School One staff and Special Event intern Francesca Bianco to coordinate the nautical theme evening.School One parents Dawn Boukari, Ann Canole, Elizabeth Covino, Elizabeth Jardine, Denise Johnson, Barbara Paolino, Elizabeth Pasternack, Judy Seaman and alumni parents Mary Malcolm, Alison Townsend and Vivien Jones spent months preparing for the event, planning the auction, and coordinating with vendors and donors.

The evening's entertainment started with a concert by Community Musicworks classical quartet. School One students Brianna Paolino and Harry Keithline wowed the crowd with keyboard, drums and an incredible vocal performance. And The Chumps, a School One rock band, contributed a few songs from their repertoire for the evening's finale.

Following the performances auctioneer Sal Corio took the stage for the Sail Into Summer live auction. Early on in the bidding frenzy, Johnson and Wales University guest Steve Mazzariello won the chance to go back to high school….as a principal. Bidding $500 for the privilege of being the Head of School One, Steve will take a day off his job and come to School One to have breakfast with students, lunch with the real Head of School Jennifer Borman and finish the day off with a No Homework announcement.

Fierce bidding continued across the room, as guests competed for the coveted New Hampshire vacation home rental on Squam Lake and the Nantucket Cottage rental. But it was the African Photographic Safari that garnered the most bids. No stranger to travel and safari vacations, Elizabeth Coteau secured the winning and a vacation package that includes 6 days and nights at the Zulu Nyala Resort.

The School One community raised more than $30,000 with all proceeds from this event going directly to the School One Scholarship Fund.

Special thanks to corporate sponsors CVS/Caremark, Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge LLP, Sovereign Bank, Collette Vacations, Corp Brothers, (add)ventures, TRAC Builders Webster Bank and Gilbane Development Company for their contributions to the School One scholarship program. School One was also fortunate to receive in-kind support from Johnson and Wales University, NBC 10, Sir Speedy and AAA.