MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
Hononegah High School teachers Cari Vanderheyden, Aara VanGalder and Jenny Decker took a moment to capture Touch of the Tropics memories.

Flamingos and palm trees sat on tables, transforming CUinto Hononegah Community High School’s “A Touch of the Tropics” on Saturday evening, April 5.

Guests were given leis to wear by friendly volunteers.

Many guests wore Hawaiian themed clothing, some dressed in captain outfits while others opted for a more casual, fun look of shorts outfits, summer dresses, plus accessories such as sunglasses and hats.

Starting off the evening, was a cocktail hour, followed by a buffet style dinner, served by the Hoffman House, cash drawings, raffles, including a 50/50 and a silent auction, music and dancing.

Lively conversation filled the room while many caught up with friends.

Andy Gannon kept the action running smoothly, while serving as the Master of Ceremonies.

One of the silent auction items was a pair of colorful chairs, matching the tropical theme. These eye-catching pieces were painted by HCHS student Elliott Towne.

Other items in the auction included hand crafted jewelry, wine tasting for 10, a pass to the Ledges Pool, Ice Hogs tickets, a flat top grill plus many unique and fun baskets. Two booze wagons also captured great attention.

Cash prize drawings were chosen randomly. Near the end of the event, four $500 winners were announced along with the Grand Prize Winner of $2,000, Loves Park Motor Sports.

Adding an extra nice touch, guests picked up souvenir cups, complete with a picture of flamingos, and the words, “Let’s Flamingo” on them were available to everyone in the room.

After dinner, the band Nauti Nauti put out breezy musical vibes with their “Yacht Rock” and pop/rock style of music.

They set sail for the cool, crystal blue ocean waters of the 1970’s and the pre-MTV, playing numbers from these eras. Cathy Bellich State Farm Insurance was the band sponsor.

HOPE Vice President Tom Polaski said, “This is the 23rd year of HOPE Foundation Touch of Spring events.

“We have people who have come back year and year again, we are very grateful for all of your support. I want to welcome anyone who has not been here before and you are going to have a fun time tonight.

Polaski gave special thanks to all of the table sponsors. Siepert and Company were the Silent Auction sponsors. Gold Steel Work in Beloit sponsored the booze raffle. Polaski asked for a moment of silence in memory of Steve Cofoid. “We lost a great one this week. I had him as a student, and as a football player. He was also my neighbor, and I had him as a colleague,” Polaski said.

“He was more than just that, he was a friend to everybody. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful individual.”

Polaski asked that everyone take a moment to think about what Steve Cofoid has done for this community.

Polaski asked HOPE President Pat Hoey to give the blessing before the meal.

Hoey gave thanks to all who support this wonderful community, a community that supports its educational system.

“We have great feeder schools, those feeder schools serve into our wonderful Hononegah Community High School.

“We have great organizations such as the HOPE Foundation and all the community members joined tonight that help raise money to ensure that the faculty and staff, students, and parents have great opportunities for all the equipment, all the special needs for the students and the faculty.”

Hoey gave a special blessing to the Cofoid family, who have supported HOPE Foundation events for many years and were unable to be at this year’s event.

This year’s ring raffle featured a custom designed ring that was created and donated by the Gem Shop & Diamond Source.

A stunning ring featured a 14X10 Natural Turquoise stone, set in 14k yellow gold. An intricate gold leaf pattern covered the center stone.

Monies raised from this annual raffle go toward funding a scholarship in memory of Jan Modersohn who served as Rockton Village Clerk from 1991-2009.

Modersohn was a true advocate for area youth. This scholarship amount has increased from the original of $500 to $1,000.

The Hope Foundation first came into being in 1997 under the direction of then Superintendent Ralph Marshall.

Some of the ways the HOPE Foundation has supported community and educational needs are with a heritage mural, tutorial programs, teacher grants, funded annual program, student scholarships, a purchase of two AED’s for the athletic department, retractable batting cages, a 2014 renovation feasibility study, graphic calculators for the math department, laptops for the physics department, a new video scoreboard for the field house, digital training for the physical education department, power tools for the wood shop and construction lab, $25,000 towards new digital scoreboards, new trophy cases and the purchase of a 40 acre tract of land for future use.

Current Board members of the HOPE Foundation are: President, Pat Hoey, Vice President, Tom Polaski, Secretary, Hannah Schoenberg, and Treasurer Brian Barnhardt.

Board members and Foundation Coordinators are: Rachel Clark Erickson, Bonnie Gundry, Rich Lewis, Teal Bainbridge, Nic Haab, Cathy Bellich, Deb Swanson, Chuck Gilbert, Ray Ferguson, Tiffany Warren and Event Coordinator, Kelly Rosik.

Jacob Schenk serves as the Web Designer. HCHS Principal Chad Dougherty, Diane Eymann and Kelly Rosik serve as Administrative Advisors.

After grant recipients are chosen they are notified discreetly. This allows them time to have grant items ordered by the end of May.

Polaski, and other Trustees will attend the May faculty meeting where he will formally reveal and announce the grant winners to the rest of the faculty. “This is always a fun time,” Polaski said.

During HCHS’s 2022’s 100th year celebration and Homecoming, the H.O.P.E Foundation helped to reunite alumni at a “Feast on the Field” tailgate party.”

Each HOPE Foundation fundraiser opens doors to future educational opportunities at Hononegah.

 
 
 
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