Aubrey Education Foundation earns $125K through gala
Cigar rolling. Musical performers. Flamenco dancers. Live auction.
The Aubrey Education Foundation raised around $125,000 with its Havana Nights gala Saturday night at the Star Grand Venue at the Lone Star Lodge and Marina.
'It's overwhelming the generosity and the commitment that our community showed this year,' Executive Director Holly Drew said. 'That is why we were so successful, and we couldn't have done it without them, our volunteers and our sponsors as well. The community really outdid themselves this year. And as Aubrey grows, I hope it continues to do that.'
Around 250 people packed into the Star, with the silent auction next door in the rustic barn, including local elected officials and perennial Aubrey ISD supporters.
Providence Village Mayor Linda Inman said she loves showing support to the schools in her community.
'I've had children that have gone to Aubrey ISD, half of the town goes to Aubrey ISD, and we want to be able to support the education of the children within our community,' she said.
Her youngest, Luke Applin, earned two AEF scholarships, so she knows the value as a mother, as well.
Krugerville Mayor Jeff Parrent also was glad to again support the grants and scholarships funded through the Aubrey Education Foundation.
'It's the biggest draw we have, is our school system,' he said. 'It's the largest employer in the city of Aubrey. And although I'm the mayor of Krugerville, our ad valorem property taxes support the school and the staff. … What we do here is incredibly important for the kids and for scholarships and for teachers. I support other communities throughout the year, but this one right here is the best of all.'
Table sponsorships provided the bulk of the money raised, with around 35 of the 37 tables bearing a sponsor.
The crowd enjoyed a dinner prepared by Dos Mezclas Restaurant, which is coming to downtown Aubrey, 'We reached out to more sponsors this year, and that's where all of our tables came from,' Drew said.
In addition to the live entertainment provided by Dreams Music Academy and by Sabor Flamenco DFW, the evening featured a special induction ceremony for the 2025 class of Chaparral Elite inductees—Barbara Pyke, Jackie Fuller, Karen Mattson and Chris Rich.
Pyke was part of the Aubrey ISD faculty and staff for over 27 years, serving as a science and math teacher as well as a counselor throughout her years in the district, saying 'it was an interesting career.'
'Of course I was honored, because I did not know about this,' Pyke said. 'And happy to know somebody even knew I existed after all these years.'
Her former student, Deborah Goin, helped her pass through the crowd Saturday.
'She was a very good student,' Pyke said.
Fuller felt honored to be inducted into the Chaparral Elite, and she beamed during the ceremony when they mentioned her pink Cadillac.
'They couldn't have given me anything that meant any more to me than that that I can think of,' Fuller said. 'It was a great honor to [be inducted].'
Fuller was a student in Aubrey from first grade to seventh grade, and she returned as a teacher who worked in Aubrey for the last 21 of her 30 years in education.
'I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, and I think that's the No. 1 thing,' Fuller said. 'You have got to enjoy doing it, because if you don't enjoy teaching, your students are not going to enjoy you.'
Karen Mattson, who died unexpectedly on Aug. 30, was honored for the impact she made on the district's students who battle food insecurity.
'Karen Mattson's dedication, kindness and unwavering commitment to Aubrey ISD left an indelible mark on our community,' the nomination plaque read. 'As a dedicated leader within the Monaco Elementary PTO for six years (20192024), she went above and beyond to enhance the school experience for students, teachers and families.'
The plaque also recognized Mattson's work to expand Lovepacs Aubrey not only in the district but beyond and up into Pilot Point.
The final inductee, Chris Rich, is an Aubrey High School alumnus and the city's current mayor.
'It's awesome, being a graduate from Aubrey and being recognized as doing something that's beneficial to the community,' Rich said He added he was honored to be induced with his fellow inductees.
'Anything the district or we do as a city to recognize anyone that contributes in some way, I think it fuels the fire [of community service],' Rich said.
Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor said she was grateful for the continued support the foundation received from the community.
She also shared some statistics with the crowd about the way the district has changed over the years.
'In 2001, when the Aubrey Education Foundation was started, we had fewer than 1,000 students,' Saylor said. 'We have more than 1,000 students in three grade levels now. Our second grade has more than 400 kids in it. Every other grade has about 300, except seniors are graduating 230 this year.'
Former Aubrey ISD ag teacher Tracy TY Yarbrough made a repeat appearance as the event's auctioneer, calling the 17 live auction items sold off in addition to the 200 silent auction items.
Between the live and silent auctions, about $57,000 of the $125,000 were raised.
AEF President Christina Adamson said she, too, felt the outcome was 'honestly incredible.'
'The things donated really just showed the Aubrey spirit through and through,' she said. '… The whole community came out to support [AEF] tonight.'
