Houston Blog
My blog from Houston, Texas. Updated most weeks, usually on Sundays.
Long before I came to Houston I had heard about Awty’s annual Gala. Always one of our most eagerly anticipated major fundraising events, the Gala adopts a different international theme each year. I would have loved to have been able to attend last year’s event, which had an Indian theme, but of course my work commitments in Hong Kong made accepting that invitation impossible. And so it was with high expectations and genuine eagerness that Di and I attended this year’s Gala, which was held last night at the Hilton Americas Hotel in downtown Houston with the theme of Carnivale.
It is always a bit dangerous to approach any event with high expectations. However, we were certainly not disappointed!
We also took the time to honor long-standing faculty member, Ms Karen Waugh, who joined the teaching staff at Awty back in 1979, as well as our major corporate supporter, Schlumberger. Indeed, one of the very encouraging facets of the Gala for me was the widespread and wholehearted support we received from a vast range of companies in Houston; it is clear that Awty is seen as a vitally important part of Houston’s international environment - and thus worthy of substantial support. Thank you!
Last night’s Gala was the culmination of months and months of hard work, and I am grateful beyond description for the efforts of Mr Ronald Jackson and his staff in Awty’s Advancement Department, as well as the amazing energy of our three parent volunteers who comprised the organizing committee - Kafi Slaughter, Shelley Hendry and Gina Gaston Lelie. Although we thanked them last night for all their hard work, I doubt that any amount of thanks can truly express the deep gratitude we feel. And, of course, the real beneficiaries of all this hard work will be the students at Awty, both now and in the years to come.
After all the fun and energy of last night’s Gala, I confess that I did sleep in this morning. I am embarrassed to say what time I woke up, but in my defense, daylight saving began last night so my clock was not really being totally honest with me :-)
Carnivale Gala
Sunday, 11 March 2012
I had heard that Awty’s annual Gala was something very special. Now I know why!