Asheville boasts many exceptional leaders who work to champion children in the community by addressing and enhancing equity in the city’s public schools. On Saturday, May 6, the Asheville City Schools Foundation will honor a group of these community leaders, parents and organizations at its annual Celebration of Champions.

The 2017 Celebration of Champions event will feature honorees’ stories and celebrate the impact they are making on the students and teachers of Asheville City Schools. Additionally, a group of Parent Champions, one from each of the nine Asheville City Schools, will also be honored, reflecting the diversity, assets and support parents can provide.

MAKING ASHEVILLE SCHOOLS STRONGER

Founded in 1988, ACSF champions strong public schools in Asheville through advocacy, grant-making, after-school programming and parent and community engagement. Since 2000, it has provided over $800,000 to projects that directly support the students and teachers in city schools and over $1 million to students through scholarships. Celebration of Champions is ACSF’s signature event to raise funds for key programs including: professional development opportunities for teachers, IRL (In Real Life) after-school program, TAPAS (Teaching Artists Presenting in Asheville Schools), and the Equity Fund.

The Celebration of Champions 2017 honorees are:

Lifetime Achievement Champion Alfred Whitesides, who has fought for decades to ensure educational opportunity for the children of Asheville through its city schools and for the young people of North Carolina through the state university system;

Community Champion Asheville Writers in the Schools and Community, formed by Janet Hurley and Tamiko Ambrose Murray along with Meggen Lyon and Asheville City Schools Foundation to provide innovative arts and creative writing opportunities to children, teens and families in Asheville’s schools and communities;

Individual Champion Sarah Reincke of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, who coordinates OLLI’s Civic Engagement Committee, spreading the joy of volunteering to the more than 40 OLLI members she helps match with city school placements;

Parent Champions in ACS Luz Velazquez from Asheville City Preschool; Pat Hall from Claxton Elementary; Angelica Wind from Hall Fletcher Elementary; Joan Pinegar from Isaac Dickson Elementary; Gene Peyroux from Ira B. Jones Elementary; Allison Reece from Vance Elementary; Jessica Merchant from Asheville Middle; Alec Fehl from SILSA; and Nancy Hutchins from Asheville High.

MOSAIC REALTY’S INVALUABLE SUPPORT

Among the premier sponsors of the Celebration of Champions 2017 is Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty. A longtime advocate for the health and vitality of the local community as a whole, and Asheville City’s public schools in particular, Mosaic has sponsored ACSF and the Celebration of Champions for four years. Mosaic’s sponsorship attests to the conviction that strong schools start with strong community support.

Celebration of Champions 2017 takes place May 6 at Crowne Plaza Expo Center (1 Resort Drive, Asheville). Buy tickets here. Ticket holders will enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while participating in a silent auction, followed by a seated dinner and program including short films honoring the 2017 Champions.

For more information about our area or about real estate in Asheville, please contact Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com  or call him anytime at (828) 337-8190.

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