The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria held its 18th annual gala last Saturday night and, according to Fund officials, "it was deemed a tremendous success."
There were more silent auction items than ever before. "I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to bid on but I have my checkbook," said Councilman Ludwig Gaines.
His choices were varied. They included hotel get-always, house and garden items, fine dining, autographed books, tickets to sporting events, items for dogs, children's gifts, clothing and art. One piece of artwork that was of particular interest was a painting of T. C. Williams HIgh School by T. C. graduate Meghan Baroody.
"I think it would be great if someone bought this painting and gave it to us for the new building," said T. C. Principal John Porter. "The building looks better in her painting than it has for a long time."
Mayor William D. Euille agreed and purchased the painting. "I think it would be a good idea for someone from, say the second graduating class at T.C. to buy this and hold it in trust and maybe loan it to the school to hang in the new building," he said. Euille graduated from T.C. in 1968.
Former mayor Kerry J. Donley, served as auctioneer for a select number of live auction items. Jack Taylor donated a weekend at his home near Anapolis and a day of boating on the bay on his yacht. Peter Reddington, an English teacher at T.C., donated a piece of original art.
Two days as principal at T.C. earned more than $1,000 for the Scholarship Fund and a package that included Redskin tickets, a car to transport the winner and guests to the game, a gourmet tailgate feast and a football that was autographed by Redskin coach Joe Gibbs, held significant interest.
"I think it was a very successful night," said Michele Brandon, the gala chair. "It was good to have the event in Alexandria again and because we were inside at the Hilton, the weather wasn't a factor."
Again, this year, SFA featured portraits of success, a gallery of stories about former scholarship winners who are now successful adults.
Kindra Lynn Gromelsky graduated from T. C. Williams in 1992. Her scholarship assisted her in attending Emory University in Atlanta where she majored in philosophy and English. After Emory, she attended law school at the College of William and Mary where she was an editor of the women's law journal.
Kindra now works for the Exxon Mobil Corporation in their Virginia office where she has handled Superfund litigation and is currently a member of the Fuels Marketing law group. She is a marathon runner and looks forward to working with Virginia Volunteer Lawyers.