Cristo Rey Dallas will celebrate the college preparatory school’s STEAM programs at its 6thannual Grow the Grove, presented by the Partners of PwC, on Friday, May 6, 2022, 6:30 p.m. at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, located in the Dallas Arts District.
Chaired by Barbara and Jim Moroney and Mary and Mike Terry, guests in casual chic attire will enjoy cocktails, dinner, a live auction and a first-time After Party beginning at 9:30 p.m. Cristo Rey Dallas students will also be on hand with a student artwork display, interactive stations such as math trivia and science, as well as appearances by the CRD cheerleaders and Ballet Folklorico ensemble. Chaired by JP Ideker and Emily Lazor, the After Party will feature late night bites, drinks and music by the Taylor Pace Orchestra.
An evening highlight will be the recognition of two honorees: Dr. Fred Cerise, president and CEO of Parkland Health & Hospital System, and the late Maryann Mihalopoulos, community leader and former CRD board member, chair of the CRD presidential search committee and chair of the CRD strategic planning committee.
Cerise will receive the Ignite Award, which honors a business leader for their commitment to Cristo Rey Dallas and the Corporate Work Study Program. Past award recipients include Michele and John Stephens and Hilda Galvan. Cerise has always believed in Cristo Rey Dallas students and has given them opportunities to represent Parkland on several occasions, including allowing CRD students to be the voice of Parkland flu drives in the community, and present to Harvard University and UT Southwestern as part of a Parkland panel. Cerise’s confidence in CRD students has been instrumental in their hands-one experience while working with such a dynamic team at Parkland.
The late Maryann Mihalopoulos will be remembered with the first annual Luminous Award, given to an individual who demonstrates passion and commitment to the mission of Cristo Rey Dallas. Mihalopoulos was not only a driving force in Dallas fundraising, but was also a pivotal part of raising funds for the major addition of CRD’s $14.5 million Innovation Center. In addition to serving on the board and in leadership roles on multiple committees, she was an integral part of Grow the Grovefor several years. The Luminous Awardhonors Mihalopoulos for her strength and kindheartedness, and her enduring impact as a philanthropist and fundraiser to the CRD community.
Grow the Grove sponsors to date include: Presenting Sponsor ($50,000) – Partners of PwC; Technology Sponsor ($30,000)– Barbara and Jim Moroney and Mary and Mike Terry; Engineering Sponsors ($15,000 - $20,000) – Arcosa, Inc.; Brousseau Naftis & Massingill PC; Johnson Equipment Company; and Nancy Perot and Rod Jones; Arts Sponsors ($10,000) – Lydia and Bill Addy; Chris and John Baldridge; Nancy Cain Marcus and Nelda Cain Pickens; Irma and Alfredo Duarte; Laura and Jim Espanier; Ernst & Young LLP; Bev Goulet; Diane and Mike Gruber; Nancy and Jim Hoak; Holly and Joe Hughes; Cheryl and Richard Joyner; Cecilia and Kip Kernodle; Joyce and Larry Lacerte; Kathleen and Frank Lauinger Family; Denise and Danny Lynn; Mary Blake and Chuck Meadows; Eilis and Dave Meyer; The Mihalopoulos Family; Mr. John Owens in honor of the School Sisters of Notre Dame; Chris and Joe Popolo; Carolyn and Karl Rathjen; Marybeth and Craig Reid; Barbara and Randy Rosenblatt; and Carolyn and Jere Thompson, Jr.; Mathematics Sponsors ($5,000) – A. Erin Dwyer Charitable Fund; Lynn and Win Bell; Lucy and Henry Billingsley; Kathleen and Pat Cox; David Douglas; Frost Bank; The Lassiter Family; Vicki and Brian Miller; NexPoint; Pediatric Dentistry of North Texas; Adriana and Guillermo Perales; and Janet and Steve Shumake; and Fund Our Labs Sponsors ($2500) – Beth Ann and Russell Huber; The Hockaday School; Ana and Jim Yoder.
Sponsorships range from $2,500 - $50,000 and are available now. Individual After Party ticketsare also available at $75 per ticket. For more information, visit https://cristoreydallas.org/fundraising-events/grow-the-grove/or contact Kristin Fletcher, kfletcher@cristoreydallas.org.
About Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep
Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep is a Catholic, college preparatory school for students from households of low to moderate incomes. Cristo Rey Dallas nurtures and challenges young women and men of all faiths to recognize and realize their full potential as they grow to love God, respect others and serve their community. Each student participates in the Corporate Work Study Program, which offers a weekly work study experience for all four years. For more information visit cristoreydallas.org.