Romona School PTA sets gala for Feb. 10 in Wilmette

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Updated: February 1, 2012 1:17PM

Wilmette residents have the chance next week to dress up and walk the red carpet in support of a good cause, when the Romona Elementary School PTA holds its second annual Red Gala at the Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette, at 911 Michigan Ave.

Gala organizers hope the event can raise as much as $15,000 toward the PTA’s $52,600 “Lights, Camera, Auditorium” project.

“We had a very successful first gala last year,” gala committee member Shelly Cellak last week. “We’re hoping to match and even beat it this year.”

If successful, the benefit will add a substantial amount to the “Lights, Camera, Auditorium” program through which the PTA plans to provide new theater lighting and a new projector system for Romona’s auditorium.

The systems would be added during auditorium renovations already planned by Wilmette School District 39, Cellak said. The district is removing asbestos from the auditorium ceiling, painting the auditorium and replacing seats and carpeting.

“Romona’s auditorium hasn’t been updated since the school was built in the 1960s. The school has music, theater and performing arts, and an auditorium that doesn’t come close to being worthy of the performances it houses. While the space itself is excellent, it has inadequate sound systems, partially damaged seating, and terrible acoustics.

“We’re saying that the district is doing the renovation, and (the PTA) is providing the innovation,” she added.

PTA officials also hope to do another auditorium-related project, she said, and “we’re trying to get in touch with Romona alumni, and get them to tell their favorite stories having to do with the auditorium, so we can share some of its history.”

This year’s Red Gala co-chairs are Tracy Kearney, Katie Colvin and Sissy Polacek; Cristin Connerty and Mary Corby are chairing the silent auction.

The 2012 gala is sponsored by Masters Transportation, Peapod and Mathnasium. It features an auction, a buffet dinner, and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Attendees can also make use of a free shuttle service that will run from Romona to the Michigan Shores Club beginning at 6:30 p.m. and running to 8:30 p.m. at roughly half-hour intervals. A return shuttle will run between 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Tickets cost $75; raffle tickets to win an iPad will be available for $10 each, or six tickets for $50. Supporters can also buy advertisements in the Red Gala playbill or sponsor gala tickets for school staff and teachers.

For more information on the gala, including donation and ticket options, access the PTA’s web page at http://romonapta.org/events/redgala.