PARTY WATCH

Taylor Swift keepsake helps raise record-breaking $1.75M at glittering HCCS gala

The Houston Classical Charter School (HCCS) welcomed 260 guests to The Goodman for its second annual Foundational Dinner on April 11. The sold-out crowd was treated to a record-smashing evening as a staggering $1.75 million was raised to expand the Alief school's campus.

The festive event was chaired by Kristin and Raul Abello with honorary chairs Dr. Julie and Eric Kuo and Jessica and Brian Leeke and auction chairs Jordan and Dylan Seff.

The live auction secured a spot as one of the high points of the glittering affair and included a signed Taylor Swift guitar and two tickets to her show in New Orleans. Other swoon-worthy auction items included a trip for 17 to Puerto Vallarta at Villa Alexa, and a Hill Country getaway with a James Beard-nominated chef.

HCCS supporters Mark Gregg, founder of KiwiEnergy and Joe Greenberg, Alta Resources CEO, added to the already record-breaking evening by graciously matching all gifts during the event up to $200,000.

Houston Classical Charter School currently provides a free education to students from Pre-K through 5th grade and is hoping to expand to enroll students through 8th grade. More than 80 percent of the families enrolled at the Alief school live below the poverty line.

Deyvis Salazar, founder of HCCS, told the crowd that the school’s growth “is not merely for the sake of expansion. We are not aiming to become a network of 20 schools. On the contrary, we strive to maintain intimate connections with our families. We are committed to knowing each child and family who walks through our doors.”

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were HCCS supporters Adrienne and Snehal Amin, Katy Thomas-Salazar and Deyvis Salazar, Claire and Joe Greenberg, Vanessa and Chuck Ames, John Marc Monrad, Jillian and Yuri Waldo, Katherine and Paul Manuel, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Haydeh and Ali Davoudi, Cristina and Morgan Lunt, and Debb and Mark Gregg.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Chea and Lia Kelly were the winners of the signed Taylor Swift guitar at the HCCS Foundation Dinner.

NOLA Spirit

Energetic Houston Wish Ball delivers heartfelt moments and $1.8M

Photo by Jacob Power

Frank Edgerly and Joanna Marks, Kat and Ryan Pressly.

The Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana’s 2026 Wish Ball, aptly themed Miracles Among Magnolias, unfolded at The Post Oak Hotel. Chairs Kristin Palmer and Barry Palmer leaned into their Louisiana roots, adding a dash of New Orleans spirit.

Think an energetic second line procession to a menu that nodded to the Gulf Coast’s rich culinary tradition. The inaugural presenting sponsor, Kaneka, helped anchor the evening, while longtime supporter Valero was honored for its continued commitment.

A particularly poignant moment arrived when guests watched a recorded Zoom call from the height of COVID, when the Palmers first connected with a wish child who had taken up DJing. When asked his wish, his response — simply, to not have cancer — stilled the room. It was this introspective moment that reminded everyone exactly why they supported this organization.

Throughout the program, wish children shared stories that were sobering and uplifting. Honoree Owen Gray, recognized as the inaugural local recipient of the Monty Starblazer Award, earned a standing ovation following personal remarks that traced the lasting impact of his wish into adulthood.

Leave it to Johnny Bravo — with kid Fitz by his side — to raise more than $450,000 in less than 10 minutes. The live auction followed with spirited bidding wars, from a Mardi Gras ride with Kern Studios’ Krewe of Orpheus to an intimate dinner prepared by Chef Eric Cook at the home of Frances and Tony Buzbee, and a Golden Nugget Lake Charles getaway complete with a helicopter ride. A Champagne parade featuring Le Chemin du Roi — 50 Cent’s champagne that won Grand Champion Best of Show at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — added a celebratory note before the dance floor filled for the after-party.

The gala, thanks to a strong crowd of 700, raised nearly $1.8 million.

Summoning their magnolia magic were Ed and Genevieve Razim, Mary and Stephen Schneidau, Greg Miller, Kay and Tommy Austin, Beth and Dan Bellow, Claudia and Brad Freels, Naimeh Salem, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Michael Vanderhider and Ashley Gibson, Joanna Marks and Frank Edgerly, Kat and Ryan Pressly, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Kim and Mike Weill, Mignon and Steve Gill, Chelsea Collmer, Vicki Luna-Lerma and Horacio Lerma, Hannah and Billy Helm, Bonnie and Jeff Houston, Julie Roberts, Heather and Don Hrap, Theresa Roemer, Wendy and David Vitter, Charity and David Stone, Stephanie and Thomas Hatfield, Yulia and Daniel Penny, Victoria Way, Lisa Modica, and Mark Reed.

Photo by Jacob Power

Frank Edgerly and Joanna Marks, Kat and Ryan Pressly.

fundraisers gala make a wish