Events

Encore! for Educators

The first Encore! for Educators event, held April 17, 2007 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, was a great success, bringing together nearly 200 educators for a night celebrating all they bring to the community. The event, the result of a partnership between WaMu and the Diablo Regional Arts Association, began with a reception in the Bedford Gallery followed by a performance of Center REPertory Company’s Bingo! The Musical. During the performance, the audience was invited to play Bingo and three lucky teachers walked away with prizes ranging from $300 - $1,000 in cash for their classes and schools, provided by WaMu as well as field trips for their entire grade level to the Lesher Center provided by DRAA’s Arts Access program.

The event was attended by Mayor Walnut Creek Sue Rainey and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ovick. Twenty managers from local WaMu branches also devoted their time to helping out at the event.

 

The Bingo winners were welcomed on stage following the production for a photo with the cast:

• $150 for her class (+ $150 for her school) Kindergarten teacher Stacy Cerruti from Walnut Heights Elementary in Walnut Creek
• $250 for her class (+ $250 for her school) Second Grade teacher Kate Guidi from Highlands Elementary in Pittsburg
• $500 for her class (+ $500 for her school) First Grade teacher Lori Cattarusa from Cambridge Elementary in Concord

The Encore for Edcuators event was brought to DRAA by Board Member and WaMu First Vice President Scott Mac Cormac who was inspired by WaMu buying out Broadway in New York for teachers. He decided to do the same locally and buy out a performance at the Lesher Center. According to Scott, “This event is WaMu’s way of thanking local educators for all they bring to the community. The teachers attending this event work incredibly hard and deserve an evening of celebration.”

>Read the Contra Costa Times story about Encore! for Educators (April 26, 2007)

A special THANK YOU to all the wonderful educators, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make the first Encore! for Educators such a success!
Scott Mac Cormac of WaMu, Mayor Sue Rainey, LCA General Manager Scott Denison and DRAA Executive Director Peggy White	Mayor Sue Rainey with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joe Ovick	Kathy and Dennis Regalado with Elin and Dr. Joe Ovick