Norridge-Harwood Heights News

Woodland’s 39th Annual Congé raises $325,000

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Conge Chairs Mary Swift (from left) of Mettawa, Jeanmarie Olson of Evanston and Celeste Denton of Wilmette

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EVENT: Woodlands’ 39th Annual Congé

BENEFITING: Woodlands Academy

DATE: April 28, 2012

LOCATION: The Glen View Club, Golf

ATTENDED: 180

RAISED: $325,000

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Updated: July 16, 2012 8:14PM

On April 28, 2012, one hundred eighty guests attended the Woodlands’ 39th Annual Congé, held at The Glen View Club in Golf.

Nearly $325,000 was raised at the event; all proceeds benefit Woodlands Academy.

Many segments of the Woodlands community, current and former parents, alums, students, staff, faculty and administrators, gave their time and talents to make the event successful.

Top live auction items and amount raised for each included $120,000 raised for Fund-a-Woodlands Scholarships which are intended for candidates who demonstrate economic need and the ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment; a $4,200 A Dream Round of Golf in Riverbend, Wisconsin; $1,300 to see Madonna Live in Concert; $2,500 Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers experience; $1,500 James Taylor at Ravinia; $11,000 Bruce Springsteen at Wrigley Field (sold twice-this is grand total); $3,100 for The Dream Dinner of Your Life with Mike Leonard; $4,300 The Ryder Cup 2012 at Medinah Country Club (sold three times-this is grand total); $500 Behind the Scenes with Allison Rosati at NBC5 News; $2,100 Luxurious Golf experience at PGA National; $1,600 Northwestern Football Experience; $3,500 Napa Wine Country Experience; $1,800 for Wrigley “Field of Dreams” Skybox for fifteen guests; $2,900 for Chicago Blackhaws Skybox for twelve guests; $4,600 for a prime Woodlands’ student parking spot for the 2012-2013 school year. (A); $4,600 for a prime Woodlands’ student parking spot for the 2012-2013 school year. (B); $6,500 for front row seating Pew with a View and Parking Two at Class of 2012 graduation ceremony. (A); $6,500 for front row seating Pew with a View and Parking Two at Class of 2012 graduation ceremony. (B); $2,100 for Barat College Cherub (A) and • $2,100 for Barat College Cherub (B).

The Silent Auction totaled over 150 entries including Intern for a Day at the Big Ten Network; Conan O’Brien experience, donated by Sarah Bruno ’98; Notre Dame football tickets, donated by Frank and Mary Oelerich of Chicago.

Major business contributors included Presenting Partners Lake Forest Bank & Trust and Pepper Construction. Auctioneer was Lance Walker of Walker Auctions.

History: “Congé” is French for “party.” Woodlands uses this French word for its annual spring fundraiser (as it uses French for other Woodlands traditions) to signify its heritage as a Sacred Heart School whose origins date back to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat’s founding of the first Sacred Heart school in France in 1800. St. Madeleine Sophie’s Society of the Religieuse du Sacré Coeur de Jésus (RSCJs) went on to establish Sacred Heart schools around the world. Today there are 21 Sacred Heart Schools in the U.S. and more than 150 schools in 44 countries. Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent college preparatory school for young women offering day and boarding programs. Woodlands is a member of the international Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

More information about Woodlands see woodlandsacademy.org or call (847) 234-4300.





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