Yellowstone Breakfast

Nearly 1,000 friends and supporters of Yellowstone Academy attended the school's eighth annual fundraising breakfast Wednesday, October 20, at the Westin Galleria Hotel. Supporting the ongoing work of Yellowstone and its students, this year's breakfast theme, "A Hero Lies in You" made a strong impact on those in attendance.

Underwritten by Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP, Carol and Frank Gruen, Midway Foundation, Ginny and Ron Nixon, Miriam and Tim Relyea, and Avalon Advisors, LLC, the breakfast raised almost a quarter of the annual operating budget and introduced hundreds of new individuals to Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Board Member and Breakfast Chairman Anne and Clark Thompson welcomed guests after an enthusiastic performance by the YA Steppers. Clark then introduced Yellowstone Academy Boy Scout Troop #255, who led the pledge to the American flag. Dr. Jim Jackson, Senior Pastor of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, offered the invocation. The Yellowstone Academy Singers, led by K'Monte Allen, entertained guests with inspiring musical selections.

Featured speakers for the event were Yellowstone Academy Board Chairman Les Csorba, Yellowstone Executive Director Kim Hansen, and Director of Volunteers Diane Van Zandt. Csorba introduced first-year Principal, Cherie Singleton, and shared the successes of the Yellowstone students and faculty. Hansen and Van Zandt spoke of the many challenges faced by Yellowstone students and how Yellowstone Academy is helping them break the cycle of poverty and build lives of achievement and success.

A highlight of this year's Breakfast was the unveiling of hte new Yellowstone video, "Reversing the Odds." This video captures the reality of life for our students and demonstrates the difference Yellowstone is making for them through academics, sports, an extended day schedule, Student Council, drama, choir, and much more.

The morning concluded with a rendition of Mariah Carey's "Hero" performed by the Yellowstone Academy Singers and a thanks to all in attendance from Yellowstone Founder and Board Member David Lumpkins. Yellowstone offers special thanks to the Breakfast Committee and volunteers who made this event possible: Anne and Clark Thompson, Catherine and Steve Carrigan, Marty Allday, Lisa Ammerman, Sarah Barrasa, Pat Berry, Leslie Carrigan, James Flodine, Claudia Freels, Dana Harms, Heath Haynes, Cynthia Liveris, Kristi Lumpkins, Libba Maddry, Sandra Porter, Genie Renaudin, Cathy Robinson, Cheryl Simmons, Julie Wilhite, Jack Womack, and the Yellowstone Academy Guild.

Watch for more information about the 2011 Yellowstone Breakfast.