Contact: Jayne Platts

Communications Consultant

[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL RAISES OVER $130,000 AT BOOTS AND BLING GALA

FORT PIERCE – John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements.

Guests enjoyed a specialty cocktail hour, a 360 photo booth and silent auction kickoff. Upon finishing the delicious dinner by Huck’s Catering, the live auction began with Vero Beach Auction Owner and Auctioneer Dave Kratzer.

Principal Corey Heroux also presented fellow John Carroll alum Mike Driscoll with the inaugural Veritas Servant Leader Award. This award honors graduates, parents, staff, and friends who exemplify the ideals of a John Carroll Ram through extensive service and outstanding contributions of time, talent, and/or treasure to the school. The recipient honorably reflects the school’s mission statement and values. Mike has held a role on the school advisory council’s finance committee for over 25 years and has served on the John Carroll Educational Foundation board since 1988.

“Mike’s humility and his love for John Carroll and our larger community is so evident in all that he does,” Heroux said.

The class of 1966 graduate and his wife, Connie, had three daughters who attended John Carroll, including Jen (class of 1992), Lauren (1996) and Julie (2002).

The successful event was made possible by the tireless work of the 2023 gala committee and the event’s sponsors. Sponsors included Velcon Engineering; Holy Cross Catholic Church; Fee, Yates & Fee; Dr. Whitney Legler; Kelly Cambron, Attorney at Law; Mervis’ Cafe and Grille; iThink Financial; St. Anastasia Catholic Church and School; The Garcia Team with CrossCountry Mortgage; Dr. Michele Richards with Associated Coastal ENT; and Advanced Hurricane Protection.

The evening was made possible the help of alumni mom and Silent Auction Chair Lisa Dubon, Advancement Associate Brenna McPherson, and Administrative Assistant Kate Westenhaver and dedicated John Carroll mothers Brie Kozloski, Kelly Hernandez, Annmarie Celestino, Desiree Fiorelli, Stacy Annone, Eileen Basille, Kelly Sagastume, Amy Boyd, and Theresa Davido.

“The love felt from our John Carroll family was inspiring,” said Jessica Krueger, John Carroll High School director of advancement. “The gala surpassed our expectations and raised necessary funds to support our school’s upcoming renovations to the gymnasium, allowing us to provide a much-needed facelift to this important space. Countless hours of dedication and hard work went into preparing for the event, and it showed with the volume of funds raised!”

The final portion of the evening brought attention to the venue – the school’s gymnasium. In planning for the event, the gala committee was intentional in bringing the event home to the gym, as a portion of the funds raised at the gala would go towards interior gym renovations. Local foundations generously offered to match up to $250,000 for campus capital improvements, including gymnasium renovations. The space is more than a building on campus. It is the school’s main gathering space, housing countless events from orientation, school assemblies and pep rallies to sports games, yearbook reveals, brain brawls, and intramurals.

“I could not be more happy with the success of our annual gala this year.  It was truly a beautiful evening of fellowship with our John Carroll family, and the generosity of our school community and their on-going support of Catholic education never ceases to amaze me!” Heroux said.

Visit johncarrollhigh.com or call 772-464-5200 for more information about John Carroll High School. “Like” John Carroll on Facebook, follow on Twitter @JohnCarrollHS and follow on Instagram @johncarrollhighschool.

About John Carroll High School

John Carroll High School is located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and strives to inspire, foster, develop, and affirm the young people entrusted to its care. It serves its students, alumni, families and the community at large. Rev. Thomas E. Barrett is the president and Mrs. Corey Heroux is the principal. For more information about John Carroll High School, please visit johncarrollhigh.com or call 772-462-5200. “Like” John Carroll on Facebook, follow on Twitter @JohnCarrollHS and follow on Instagram @johncarrollhighschool.

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Suggested photo captions:

JCHS gala_Fr Heroux Krueger.jpg: John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements. Pictured: John Carroll President Father Thomas Barrett, Principal Corey Heroux and Director of Advancement Jessica Krueger | Photo credit: Marisol’s Photography

JCHS gala_Heroux Driscoll.jpg: John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements. Pictured: John Carroll High School Principal Corey Heroux and Inaugural Veritas Servant Leader Award recipient Mike Driscoll | Photo credit: Marisol’s Photography

JCHS gala_gym rendering.jpg: John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements.

JCHS gala_Platts Krueger.jpg: John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements. Pictured: Communications Consultant Jayne Platts and John Carroll High School Director of Advancement Jessica Krueger | Photo credit: Marisol’s Photography

JCHS gala_Guettlers Trefelners.jpg:John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements. Pictured (from left to right): Ben and Leslie Guettler; Darren and Jordyn Guettler; Sue Ellen Fromang, and Joey Trefelner and Diocese of Palm Beach Director of Communications, Marketing and Social Media Jennifer Trefelner| Photo credit: Marisol’s Photography

JCHS gala_Wiles.jpg: John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements. Pictured: Rusty Wiles and St. Anastasia Catholic Church and School Director of Parish Development Melanie Wiles | Photo credit: Marisol’s Photography

JCHS gala_Heroux Krueger McPherson Westenhaver.jpg:John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements. Pictured: John Carroll High School Principal Corey Heroux, Director of Advancement Jessica Krueger, Advancement Associate Brenna McPherson and Administrative Assistant Kate Westenhaver | Photo credit: Marisol’s Photography

JCHS Gala_2023 room view.jpg:John Carroll High School hosted its 2023 Gala, Boots and Bling, on Saturday, March 4 on campus. The sold-out event raised over $130,000, with approximately $58,000 being matched for capital improvements. | Photo credit: Marisol’s Photography