OES Community Unites at Glamping-Themed Virtual Auction

On Saturday evening March 13, the OES community virtually joined together for the 35th annual OES Auction, raising over $426,000 in vital funds for the school.

“I never thought a year ago when we did our first virtual auction that we’d be doing a second virtual auction . . . but here we are,” said Board Chair Dan Drinkward ‘95, during the broadcast. “And what a year it’s been. It’s been a challenging year for all of us, but we’ve come through as a community that is stronger and, I think, better. We have kids back on campus, which brought me so much joy to see that, at the end of this challenging year, we have some hope for the long term.”

At-home audience members dressed in their best “glamping” gear and watched the live broadcast as the community came together for a shared goal: to continue the joyful, inquisitive, and collaborative learning OES has to offer.

“We successfully shone a light on the exceptional work of our faculty, administrators, and staff over the last year,” Annual Giving Manager Mary Beth Muscarella said. “From students recognizing specific teachers who helped them through a tough year, to faculty members recognizing their colleagues and the community as the reason they love their jobs, the night was successful in bringing the community together in support of our mission.”

A series of videos and interviews with students, faculty, staff, and parents accompanied the live event.

“We are here and doing the beautiful job we are doing because of the strength of our community,” Head of School Mo Copeland said during the broadcast. “And that’s all of you, and every one of us, who has made us function beautifully during this time.”

Continued Muscarella, “The auction is an opportunity to highlight the mission of our school toward which we are all working. The passion and motivation to fulfill that mission is what brings everyone—parents, students, faculty, staff, and alumni—together as a community, and the auction is the place and time, even virtually, where we can shine a light on the impact of our mission.”

Thank you, to Auction Chairs Janice Pulley and Tammy Moe, our parent volunteers, auctioneer Johnna Wells, Raise Agent, Pearl Catering, Really Big Video, and to the parents, students, faculty, and staff who donated, watched, and helped make this year’s auction a success!