The River Academy Regents’ Gala: Celebrating 25 Years of our Classical, Christian Community

Considering we haven’t gathered with our parents and our entire TRA community since November of 2019, many of our families have never experienced the joy and community-building that takes place at one of our fundraising Galas (or for the old timers, a TRA Benefit Dinner). Since that time, the Lord has faithfully and steadily grown our enrollment from 240 students to 308. That’s a lot of new families!

While raising funds for our Tuition Assistance program is critical to making a TRA education accessible to more mission-fit families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it, this year the primary function of this elegant and fun evening is to form new—and deepen existing—connections between our parents and staff. Yes, the fundraising is still incredibly important and critical to our operations and mission, but these relationships are crucial to maintaining the school-parent partnership culture we have all worked so hard to establish over the past 25 years. Since we recognize we have missed this over the past few years, it is our top priority for the Regents’ Gala this year.

Investing in [our] relationships is worth it, and the Gala is a great place to build upon them.

Why does it matter?

As a long-time TRA parent, I can attest to how important it is to form meaningful relationships with other parents and staff members. It is such a privilege to be raising my children alongside other like-minded families as we are all learning to navigate the journey of parenthood (especially teenagers!) together. Investing in these relationships is worth it, and the Gala is a great place to build upon them.

Highlights of the Evening

In addition to a delicious surf and turf dinner and dessert, the evening will include a no-host bar, silent auction, games, and a brief program. Our next Head Of School, Michael Picciottoli, and his wife Katie will be making the trip out to Wenatchee for the event and to look at homes in the valley. Come listen to him share a few words about himself and his excitement to be part of the TRA family. 

Ask anyone who has attended a Gala in the past, and they’ll tell you what a treat it was to get dressed up and dine with other parents and TRA staff members whilst supporting our beloved TRA and its mission to educate the next generation of Christian leaders. It’s shaping up to be a fun evening, so if you haven’t already purchased your tickets, click the link below and do so now. You won’t regret it!

How can you help?

We rely on all of our TRA families to make this event come together, and there are several ways for you to help: whether that be by attending, donating a silent auction item, volunteering to set up or clean up, or sponsoring the evening on behalf of your business. Please see the “Parents Guide to the Gala” for more information on how you can get involved.

I can’t wait to see you there!

For His Glory,

Andie Johnson, Director of Development