Night of the Dragon

Fundraising Gala

GET YOUR TICKETS beginning February 1 (with discounted pricing through Feb. 28)!

Can’t make the event? Register on the auction site to bid from anywhere. Online bidding begins March 15.

The 23rd annual Night of the Dragon–The Sneaker Ball– will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at The Flo and Tony Guzman Community Center, The Faison Center.

The Annual Night of the Dragon Auction and Gala hosted by the Foundation is the single largest fundraiser for the Foundation, MLWGS Booster groups, and the PTSA! MLWGS supporters are encouraged to support the Night of the Dragon by attending the live event, bidding online in the silent auction, donating items and experiences that can be auctioned off, and serving as event sponsors.

Last year’s event at Hardywood Downtown in the fun and festive Barrel Room raised more than $70,000 for our Dragons. We look forward to another evening of fun in support of our Dragons this year.

If you want to help plan or sponsor the event or donate an item/service/experience to the auction, email Ginger at goneil@mlwgsfoundation.org.

REUNIONS WEEKEND

Each year, the Foundation helps coordinate events for our classes celebrating 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and now 30-year Reunions. A highlight for Alumni celebrating their 10-year Reunions is receiving their 10-Year Letters to Self, which the Foundation coordinates during their senior years and returns at the 10th Reunion.

The 2024 Reunions Weekend took place September 27-29, 2024. Alumni from all classes gathered at Bottom’s Up Pizza on Friday evening (7-10pm).

Alumni of the Classes of 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019 celebrated their special reunions at the Reunions Classes Celebrations on Saturday evening from 7-10pm at ZZQ in Scott’s Addition. The evening included a special venue created just for us as well as drinks, sweets, and a great time for alumni to reconnect with classmates,

Check back for information about Reunions Weekend 2025!

ALUMNI SHOWCASE

Semi-annually, 50+ alumni return to MLWGS to speak with current students and give them a glimpse of life after the Governor’s School. The Foundation works closely with an alumni steering committee to put on this meaningful and fun-filled event. The 2024 Alumni Showcase was a great success and kicked off Reunions Weekend 2024. If you’re interested in helping to plan or speaking at the Showcase in fall 2026, email Ginger at goneil@mlwgsfoundation.org.

DIRECTORS CIRCLE

Each year, the Foundation honors our major donors at the annual Director’s Circle event. The evening allows us to share a bit about all the amazing things our students and teachers are able to do thanks to donor generosity.

The 2024 Director’s Circle took place on Thursday, December 5, and honored donors who gave $750 or more to the Foundation during the past year. A huge thanks. to the amazing Ms. Robinette Cross, Amya Seaborne ’25, and Martina Rivera ’25 for their amazing testimonials to the difference Foundation donor support has made in their MLWGS experience.

GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

Each year, the Foundation invites students to share MLWGS with their Grandparents or other significant persons during this beloved event. On April 25, 2024, Grandparents and Special will be invited to visit campus to hear about our wonderful school and enjoy a reception and school tour with their Dragon(s). The Foundation will begin gathering contact information from Dragon families for invitees to this special event in February 2025. Look for a google doc link in Smoke & Scales and the Director’s Sunday Update.

Information about Foundation events is shared regularly on our Foundation Facebook page, via email, through the Director’s Sunday Night Update and Class pages, and on the GSGIS Alumi page.