The buzz on campus about the School of St. Mary gala has been palpable for months. Will there be a school gala in 2020?

“The gala is back,” says co-chair Jennifer Lucas, who along with Liz Berrill and eight other committee members are resurrecting a much-loved tradition from the school’s past and hosting this fundraiser on Saturday, February 29 at the Cuneo Mansion & Gardens in Libertyville.

“We have so much great momentum going into the gala with all of the great new programming the Parent Association has introduced this year,” says Lucas. “The 5K Run, the Trunk or Treat Halloween Bash, and the Turkey Trot rotating house party are just a few. We have all of these new families who are so excited to be at St. Mary’s but have never been to our gala. This year, they will have their chance.”

“St. Mary’s Roaring Into the Twenties” is the theme for the 2020 gala—although no costume is required to attend.

“We really want to capture our school as it’s moving into the new decade,” explains Berrill. “We’re celebrating St. Mary’s past, present, and future.”

To that end, St. Mary’s is extending an invitation to the entire community, hoping that many of the school’s alumni will return for an evening that will include cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, a paddle raise, and fan favorite—the band “Maggie Speaks” for entertainment. WGN’s very own (and school parent) Larry Potash will be the event’s emcee.

“There are so many talented people that have already given their time and energy to secure the success of the gala,” adds Berrill. To date, auction items include a boat cruise, a pony party, a ride from the Lake Forest Fire Department, and week-long stays at homes in Costa Rica and Jupiter, Florida. Auction items will be open online to the public prior to the event so that even those not attending the gala will have an opportunity to support the school.

“St. Mary’s has such a special place in my heart,” says Lucas, who along with her five siblings was once a student at St. Mary’s. “Not only do we have stellar academics, but we have a community grounded in values that you just can’t get everywhere else. I’m so happy that the gala will allow us the opportunity to celebrate this.”

Tickets for the School of St. Mary gala are available for sale online. Early bird pricing ends January 15.

The School of St. Mary was founded in 1917. Today, on two campuses, St. Mary’s educates students from preschool through eighth grade with a mission of “To Learn, To Serve, To Lead.”

To learn more about the School of St. Mary, or to purchase gala tickets, visit schoolofstmary.org.