Do you have questions about VASJ's Continue the Dream gala? Take a look at our FAQs below.
When does the event take place?
Continue the Dream will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in the VASJ Gymnasium. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
No need to wait until the gala to start bidding! The Silent Auction will open online at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 25. Learn more at vasjgala.givesmart.com.
What is the dress code?
The dress code for this year's gala is cocktail attire.
Where do I park?
Parking will be available in the VASJ parking lot. Parking attendants will be available the night of the gala to help direct traffic.
The turnaround in front of the school will be reserved for handicapped parking. These guests may enter through the main doors in the front of the building. Volunteers will direct you to the elevator for easy access into the Gym.
Where do I go when I arrive?
Please enter through the main Gym entrance on East 185th Street. When arriving, please stop at the check-in tables before proceeding into the Gym.
Where do I sit for dinner?
When you check in at the event, you'll be given your seating assignment. This is not an open seating event. We ask for your cooperation regarding your seat assignment.
Once you are checked in, you can reference your table number under the "My Info" tab within your GiveSmart account.
What's on the menu?
La Vera has created a delicious menu for the evening. Guests will enjoy an Italian grazing table, a chilled seafood bar, a mixed greens salad, cavatelli, filet mignon, chicken piccata, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and dessert. Each gala ticket also includes an open bar, including some special craft beers on tap from our neighbor Collision Bend!
How will the Silent Auction work?
VASJ is excited to partner with GiveSmart for this year’s online Silent Auction! Guests will be able to place bids online using their smartphone, tablet, or computer starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 25. Bidding volunteers will be available throughout the night of the gala to assist with the bidding process if you have any questions. The Silent Auction will close around 9 p.m. on April 27.
How it works:
Do I need to bring my phone?
Yes, to participate in our Silent Auction, you must have access to a smartphone or tablet. Please arrive with your phone or tablet fully charged.
Where do proceeds go?
Our annual Continue the Dream gala directly supports the school’s important mission of helping students grow spiritually, academically and personally. Funds raised the night of the gala will directly benefit our students and help ensure they can continue to receive a quality, Catholic education at VASJ that’s rooted in Ursuline and Marianist traditions. By supporting the gala, you’ll play a role in helping us transform our students’ lives through faith and academic excellence.
Who is the chair couple?
We are honored to have Joe '71 and Cindy Scaminace serve as this year’s gala chair couple!
Joe Scaminace built a distinguished career in business, having served for a decade as chairman and chief executive officer of OM Group Inc. as well as president and chief operating officer of Sherwin Williams. He has served as a board member at the Cleveland Clinic, Parker Hannifin and the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, among other organizations.
Scaminace has also proved himself as a dedicated leader at VASJ, most notably serving as the chair of the school’s recent $5.5 million Keeping Our Promises campaign. He was also instrumental in fundraising efforts for VASJ’s brand-new turf athletic field. In recognition of his contributions to the school, Scaminace was inducted into the VASJ Hall of Fame in 2016. His wife, Cindy, is a current member of the VASJ Board of Advisors.
Will there be live entertainment?
Yes! We are excited to welcome Rick and Sharona to this year's event. Known for their Vegas-style act, Rick and Sharona Burke have performed for years throughout Northeast Ohio and in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Florida. The duo plays the best of the Rat Pack era, classic rock, Motown and more.
Who is the emcee?
Cleveland 19 news anchor Brian Duffy '82 will serve as emcee of the school's Continue the Dream gala on Saturday, April 27. An Emmy Award-winner, Duffy has had a career as a journalist in Cleveland for over 20 years. He began his career in Erie, PA, where he was the sports director at WJET-TV before he made the move to Cleveland in 1999. Duffy currently anchors 19 News at 6 p.m. and is a member of the 19 News Investigative Reporting and Solutions Journalism teams.
Born in Euclid and raised in Mayfield Heights, Brian graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1982, where he earned several letters in football and basketball.