Revelry
Revelry Gala & Auction
Paris in Bloom Transformed our Campus and Hearts
As we start to catch our breath after our 13th Annual Revelry Gala & Auction, Paris in Bloom, we find ourselves missing the excitement, beauty and magic of a spectacular evening. It is no wonder Revelry is the school’s premier event!
Our guests grabbed their passports and packed their bags as they were transported to a Parisian neighborhood complete with cobbled passages, quintessential Parisian shops and tree-lined avenues. Wherever you looked, Paris was truly in Bloom (with a few raindrops to help it along)!
The ambiance and magic of the evening was a result of the vision and leadership of our two amazing Revelry co-chairs, Lisa Breslau (Sophia ’20 and Sara ’21) and Kristin Stassi Venegas ’83 (Juliana ’20). They led an executive team comprised of both long-serving and new members who headed up the many areas that needed to come together for a great event. We can’t thank this team enough for the heart, soul and hard work they put into making this event so very engaging and successful. Thank you to the hundreds of parent volunteers who supported this team and helped make the magic happen. Nothing on campus would happen without the teamwork of our dedicated Faculty and Staff, from advancement, to facilities, arts, finance and all of our departments were all-in to raise support for our Troubies.
Guests were welcomed by St. Francis student ambassadors, entertained by our Show Choir and SF Players, who appeared as Mimes and French ladies, before Miss Clavel and her little girls in two straight lines led them through the Arc de Triomphe to see a beautiful dining room laid out for them, complete with an Eiffel Tower. And instead of dining and dashing, many stayed late to enjoy our soirée post-fête with libations and dancing! It was a perfect end to an amazing evening.
Two remarkable women were honored with the Spirit of San Damiano award—St. Francis’s first President, Marion Bishop, and alumna from the class of 1948, Marion Slakey. Both women received standing ovations recognizing their love, loyalty and service to St. Francis and our Troubadours.
The 2019 Revelry Fund-A-Vision raised a substantial amount for the St. Francis Endowed Scholarship fund. With the generous support of a $30,000 lead donor, nearly $100,000 was raised in the room and then generously matched by an attendee. The success of this year’s fund-a-vision helps us fulfill our mission by providing the financial assistance that ensures a St. Francis education is accessible to all who desire a holistic education based on faith, excellence, leadership and service.
Because of the generosity and support of more than 450 Revelry guests and supporters, we raised more than $500,000 for today’s and tomorrow’s Troubies. Thank you to the entire St. Francis community for giving so generously.
Individual tickets are $125, with tables seating 10.
Sponsorships start at $1,500.
Sponsorship
There are a variety of high-visibility sponsorship opportunities for our generous benefactors. You can sponsor a Revelry as a single event, or we offer a package sponsorship including Crab Feed benefits. Learn more about Sponsorship benefits here. To discuss sponsorship opportunities available or customize a package, contact Mary Anne Kelly at mkelly@stfrancishs.org
Meet our Co-Chair Captains, Kristin & Lisa!
The 2019 Revelry Gala & Auction, Paris in Bloom, is co-chaired by Captains Kristin Stassi Venegas ’83 (mother of Juliana ’20) and Lisa Breslau (mother of Sophia ’20 and Sara ’21). With these co-pilots in the cockpit, this is sure to be an unforgettable evening of strolling along cobbled passages, quintessential Parisian streets and tree-lined avenues.
You’ll see the St. Francis High School campus in a whole new light as it is transformed into Paris in Springtime! This event is a great opportunity to support the future: Investing in our young women today guarantees leaders who will change the world tomorrow. And these co-pilots have put their heart and soul into creating an evening of merriment for you. If you would like to join a table of fellow Troubie fans, contact Mary Anne Kelly at mkelly@stfrancishs.org
On behalf of Captains Breslau and Venegas, and the entire crew, we would like to welcome you aboard Flight 2019 to Paris in Bloom! Fasten your seat belt and join Kristin, Lisa and 500 other revelers for an unforgettable evening!
Evening Program
Mass – 5:00pm
Check-In & Silent Auction – 5:30pm
Dinner & Student Entertainment – 7:00pm
Live Auction & Raffle – 8:00pm
Libations & Dancing – 9:00pm
Evening Menu
Appetizers:
Puff Pastry with Olive Tapenade, Free Range Chicken Bites Wrapped in Applewood Bacon and Honey Dijon Mustard Drizzle, Ratatouille Stuffed Mushrooms
Salad:
French Country Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette, Asparagus Tips, Beets, Toasted Almonds, Butternut Squash and Gorgonzola Cheese
Entrée:
Filet of New York Steak Grilled and Served with Cremini Demi-Glaze Served with Bechamel Gouda Cheese Gratin Potatoes and Roasted Broccolini
Vegetarian Entrée: Grilled Roasted vegetable Napoleon stack with roasted garlic tomato ragu, roasted broccolini & bechamel Gouda cheese gratin potatoes
Desert:
Lemon Lavender Mousse & Mini Cream Puff
Mobile Bidding
Register to Bid Here (you will need to click ‘Register to Participate’)
We will be using Gesture Mobile Bidding again this year at Revelry. With mobile bidding, you can bid from a smartphone, tablet, or computer and everything is in real time! You do not need to be present at Revelry to bid on our fabulous Silent Auction items. A special bonus is that you are able to register prior to the night, peruse our Silent Auction items, and start bidding early! To bid on some of our amazing Live Auction items, you still need to be present at Revelry.
You can pre-register to bid on gesture HERE
The above link will allow access our items at any time leading up to, during, or after the event. Bidding will close at 7:30pm on Saturday, March 9.
The silent auction will be conducted entirely online through Gesture mobile bidding. You do not need to be present at the event to bid on items in the Silent Auction. If you are attending Revelry, please fully charge your mobile device!
Fund-A-Vision
2019 Revelry Fund-A-Vision: Empowered. Nurtured. Transformed.
“I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and confidently themselves, who bring light into the world.” —Meryl Streep
Giving to this year’s Fund-a-Vision means you are empowering the next generation of smart leaders, creative thinkers and global citizens. Every gift has a direct impact on our students, empowering them with the tools they need to become the leaders and givers of tomorrow.
Every young woman deserves the opportunity of a St. Francis education. Help us fulfill our mission by providing the financial assistance that ensures a St. Francis education is accessible to all who desire a holistic education based on faith, excellence, leadership and service. Learn More & Support
Spirit of San Damiano Award
We are pleased to announce our 2019 Spirit of San Damiano Award Recipients. Join us in honoring these incredible women at Revelry 2019, Paris in Bloom.
Marion Bishop
Marion Bishop served for 12 years as the first President of St. Francis Catholic High School.
She often referred to that part of her career as “the ride of a lifetime.” Her accomplishments can best be described as crucial, turning-point projects in the school’s history. Her hand in the planning and expansion of the physical campus resulted in the addition of a state-of-the-art science wing, a performing arts center, religious sculpture and art, and a new academic administration office building. These changes also led to a beautifully-remodeled campus life center and new counseling offices.
Marion pushed for a new gymnasium, locker room and physical fitness center, originally absent from the construction plan. She recognized that our growing student body needed space to gather for assemblies, liturgies and events. Always about more than buildings, Marion’s commitment to our Troubies was evident in everything she did and continues to do. She and her husband Paul have generously funded scholarships that enable young women in the greater Sacramento area to have a St. Francis education. Marion Bishop’s legacy of faith, excellence, leadership and service was crafted by her heartfelt devotion to the education of young women at St. Francis Catholic High School.
Marion Kaeser Slakey ‘48
A graduate of the St. Francis Class of 1948, Marion Kaeser Slakey leads a very active and interesting life. As the Student Body President at St. Francis, Marion dated, and later married, the Student Body President of Christian Brothers High School, Thomas Slakey. They left Sacramento soon after marrying in 1952, living in nine different states and four different countries (Canada, Mexico, England and the Czech Republic) and raised four wonderful children: three sons and a daughter. Marion attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, and later finished her degree in French Literature at Cornell University while Thomas completed his Ph.D.
Marion and Thomas returned to Sacramento in 1997 to provide care for her mother; that next year was the 50th anniversary of her high school graduation and Marion realized she had an opportunity to reconnect with her classmates and alma mater. That she did and continues to do, keeping her class connected and generously providing opportunities for more students to benefit from the St. Francis education she received. She loves being back in Sacramento and near St. Francis Catholic High School. Marion was greeted with a standing ovation from our students when she joined them at last year’s awards ceremony to present the alumnae scholarship. A Troubie for Life is the only way to describe Marion Kaeser Slakey ’48, and we’re all the better for her life of faith, excellence, leadership and service.
Meet the Emcee & Auctioneer
Leah Pezzetti Horner ‘13
Leah is a reporter, anchor and forecaster at the ABC News affiliate in Bakersfield, California. She graduated early from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and immediately started at 23ABC. In college, she won many prestigious journalism scholarships and awards, including two Sacramento Press Club scholarships, the Outstanding Senior Award in her graduating class and a National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) scholarship to attend their workshop. She also was in an a cappella group in college that led her to sing with Jason Mraz during his tour, compete in the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival and record two albums that are on Itunes.
During her years at St. Francis, Leah was cast in six main stage productions. She won an Elly Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rachel Lynde in Anne of Green Gables and was nominated for Best Leading Actress for her role as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. She was part of the St. Francis’ Chamber Choir beginning her sophomore year, was in the first ever show choir group, joined Dance Company and acted with the SF Players. She received the Outstanding Senior in the Arts award at her graduation.
Jake Parnell, Auctioneer
Returning again as Auctioneer extraordinaire is Jake Parnell. His energetic approach is always engaging and entertaining. One of Jake’s true passions is working with and raising money for organizations locally and nationwide. His current list of auction clients includes St. Francis Catholic High School, the Napa Valley Grape Growers, the Tiger Woods Foundation, Crocker Art Museum, Country Day School, Christian Brothers High School, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and many more.
Growing up in a family of auctioneers, Jake followed his grandfather and father’s lead and attended the World Champion School of Auctioneering in 2001 while still at Cal Poly. Jake lives in Sacramento, with his wife, Molly, and their three children Jack (3) and twins Parker and Ben (2).
