The McKinney Christian Academy 25th Anniversary Gala brought out 20's style guys and dolls on February 3rd. The evening at The Sheraton McKinney began with passed hors d'oeuvres and mocktails while giving everyone opportunities to peruse the silent auction tables, take photos at the photo booth, and mingle with friends. State Representative and MCA alumni parent Scott Sanford gave the prayer before dinner was served. The dinner portion was lively, with memories shared from board member and founding MCA parent Dan Brooks, and stories told by MCA alumni Emmie Zook Pippin. Emmie is a 2005 graduate of MCA, and graduated from Texas A & M. The live auction was led by MCA parent and auctioneer John Beazley. Live auction items included a full set of braces or Invisalign/Aligners donated by Dr. Stephanie Crise, a European trip donated by Joshua Expeditions, a week at Sky Ranch, a luxury cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma donated by MCA alumni parents Bill and Tricia Chinners, two Trident Response Group tactical and live-fire experiences, a complete Rough Riders suite donated by Rudy and Rae Lynn Reinecke, and a stay at Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando donated by MCA parent Chris Ewing. The live auction also included a very robust bidding for a chance to hang the winning bidder's college alumni flag on the campus deck for one year. Harvard was the winning bidders alma mater (#goals).
The bidding continued with a designated bidding to raise funds to construct a 30' cross on the MCA campus, and to raise funds to improve technology on campus. The crowd overwhelmingly responded, and enough funds were raised to construct the cross and continue campus technology improvements.
A raffle drawing was held for an iPhone X. The winner was B.A. Wilson. The winner of the raffle for a years' paid tuition at MCA was Bill Chinners, who gave the years tuition back to the school to be used towards scholarships to MCA.
Dr. Lee Brock, founding board member and alumni parent, closed out the evening with some heartfelt thoughts about the school.
All that attended the 25th Anniversary Gala had a great time. The Gala committee did a superb job with amazing attention to detail. Everyone enjoyed the Gatsby Gala and the celebration of 25 years of quality Christian education in McKinney. With God's grace and guidance MCA looks forward to another 25 years of teaching students to live biblically through education of mind, body and spirit.