Education Stars Celebrated at Charity Gala

Jurors #1 and #2 respectively, Chula Vista Golf Course General Manager Chris Gilfillen and South Bay Union School District Education Foundation President Dana Tomlinson met each other while sitting on a jury together last year.

Their random pairing led the Education Foundation to a new venue for its annual charity gala and biggest fundraiser of the year.

Now in its third year, approximately $6,000 was raised at the Stars Under the Stars Chaity Gala. Along with a silent auction and dinner, music was provided by Imperial Beach's Teagan Taylor Trio.

Parking cars at the sandcastle competition was the Education Foundation's largest fundraiser until the competition came to an end in 2011.

"We are hopeful now with the sandcastles coming back and we’re going to have our first annual Casino Night in the fall and that could be big," Tomlinson said.

Stars Under the Stars celebrates people who have supported the Education Foundation's efforts to provide funding for teachers and students.

This year's stars were:

• Assistant Superintendent Shelly Burgess for being an "unwavering advocate for the children of this district in so many ways," Tomlinson said.
• Optimist Club of Imperial Beach for honoring 6th grade scholars, essay and speech contests, holiday food drives and the Kids N' Kastles Sandcastle Competition
• Doreen Wick leads transportation operations and was the first employee to make direct deposit contributions from her paycheck to the Education Foundation.
• Johnny Tacata, a longtime supporter of Education Foundation events
• Former Imperial Beach Mayor Diane Rose because "in her retirement, she still has the best interests of Imperial Beach at heart–supporting candidates and opposing efforts that would have a negative effect on the city," Tomlinson told the crowd.
• Former Education Foundation Director Helen Steel 
• Former Imperial Beach City Councilwoman and Education Foundation president Mayda Winter

Retiring superintendent Dr. Carol Parish, School Resource Officer Joe Barry, retired Bayside Elementary School instructional aide Rosie Dorado and San Diego Mayor Bob Filner were also recognized.