The Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School community painted the town red — and blue — during the school’s annual Continue the Dream gala on Saturday, April 27.
More than 250 guests attended this year’s event, which featured a catered dinner by La Vera, live and silent auctions, raffles, special craft beers from Collision Bend Brewing Company, live music by Rick and Sharona, and more.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our attendees, donors and event sponsors, VASJ was able to raise over $215,000 at Continue the Dream! The gala serves as the school’s largest fundraiser of the year, enabling VASJ to continue to provide a quality, Catholic education to current and future students.
“Our Continue the Dream gala is all about our outstanding students,” said VASJ President Tom Carone. “Funds raised will enable VASJ to continue offering its high standards of Catholic education to our students. This is especially important now as our enrollment number continues to grow and we welcome more students into the Viking family. On behalf of our Board of Advisors, administrators, faculty and staff, and students, thank you for your continued support that enables our students to ‘Continue the Dream.’”
VASJ Major Gifts Officer Barb DiTurno '82 added, "Continue the Dream is a wonderful evening where we can bring alums of Villa Angela, St. Joe's and VASJ together with our parents, grandparents, family and friends to have a great time and raise money for our beloved school.”
After a welcome from Carone, Cleveland 19 News anchor and emcee Brian Duffy ’82 took to the stage to kick off the event. VASJ senior Ariana Somich performed an impressive rendition of the National Anthem before dinner was served.
This year’s featured speakers were VASJ seniors Esther Marshall and Ariana Somich. Esther, who will be pursuing a degree in nursing, said she feels very thankful that her family chose for her to pursue a Catholic education, and she’s grateful for the support she’s received during her high school career.
“Having opportunities at VASJ to receive scholarship support has made a huge difference in my life,” Esther said. “I was blessed to be the recipient of the VASJ Alumni Medical Scholarship. Being chosen for this scholarship has made me proud and helped me to know that if I stay focused on my goal, which is to enter the medical field, I will be successful. I would like to thank all the VASJ donors for giving me the opportunity to have the education that has molded me into the person I am today.”
Ariana, a legacy student, reflected on what VASJ’s tagline — faith, family and future — means to her.
“The main theme throughout my time at VASJ has been supporting others, and I’ve been fortunate enough to receive some of that same support that I give out,” she said. “After graduation, I will be pursuing an independent music career, and the courage and confidence that I have to do that is all thanks to my Viking family. I will continue to serve others and carry my faith with me, especially here, because my VASJ family has done so much for me, and it’s my turn to give back.”
The evening also included remarks from this year’s chair couple, Joe ’71 and Cindy Scaminace. Scaminace, a VASJ Hall of Fame member, most notably served 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. His wife, Cindy, is a current member of the VASJ Board of Advisors.
Guests had the chance to bid on nearly 125 silent auction items as well as an amazing lineup of live auction items. After the formal program concluded, guests hit the dance floor and enjoyed live music by husband and wife duo Rick and Sharona Burke.
“Many thanks to our emcee, Brian Duffy '82, our live entertainment provided by Rick and Sharona, our amazing chair couple, Joe '71 and Cindy Scaminace, and all of the committee members and volunteers who made this night a huge success,” DiTurno said. “The evening was perfectly orchestrated by La Vera Party Center's staff, providing outstanding appetizers and food fit for kings, as well as Collision Bend Brewery and Cebars Euclid Tavern, who made sure the party continued all night long! Thank you to everyone who took part in our raffles, silent and live auctions, and supported our Viking community with such generosity. I can't wait to see everyone on April 12, 2025, for next year's Continue the Dream gala.”
GOLD SPONSORS:
Don '70 & Mary Jo Dailey
St. Joseph Class of 1973
Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
SILVER SPONSORS:
Euclid Hospital
Fedeli Family Charitable Foundation
Hospice of the Western Reserve
McKeon Education Group
St. Joseph Class of 1973
SJ Class of 1978 Football and Wrestling Teams
BRONZE SPONSORS:
KeyBank
Lyn Leone, in honor of The Golic Family
Patrick Gallagher '82