DSUSD wraps school year with James Bond-themed celebration, fundraiser

There is no better way to end the school year than with a celebration — a really big celebration that brings in a lot of money to subsidize school programs.

For Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD), that party was held June 3 at the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells. Aptly titled the Royale Sands Gala, the James Bond-themed event was put on by the Desert Sands Educational Foundation to raise supplemental funding for classroom teachers.

This event was specifically created to raise both money and awareness of the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs offered at DSUSD. More than 30 sponsors from around the valley underwrote the gala. Major donors included the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, El Paseo Jewelers, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Scape Landscape, the Agua Caliente Casino & Resort, Ledesma & Meyer Construction, Old Town Artisan Studios, RBC Capital Markets and Visit Palm Springs. A full list of sponsors and auction item donors can be found at foundation.dsusd.us.

In true James Bond style, guests strolled into the Designs by Doyle Monte Carlo-style casino where they earned points to win a local staycation. The sultry sounds of D & M Music (Doug & Meg) put guests in the mood to hit the tables, not only in the casino but at the silent auction where items included signed photos of James Bond actors, signed boxing gloves from local champion boxer Brandun Lee and baskets of goodies provided by local businesses.

Dinner included a fabulous meal and decadent dessert; courses were staggered as guests enjoyed student performances and the honoring of special guests. Student entertainment included the sounds of the Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School Band, the Palm Desert High School Jazz Band and singers Natasha Terrell and Citlaly Bautista from La Quinta High School. The performances were a reminder of why the sponsors and guests were there that evening — to support our students and teachers.

There was humor on the stage as three Rubik’s Cube experts stunned the audience as guesses were made on the time it would take to solve the puzzle. DSUSD's Daxton Westlake took a totally “messed up” Rubik’s Cube and made it perfect in 14.7 seconds. The closest guess won a guest a week’s stay at a private home in Lake Havasu.

Hosts for the evening were Desert Sands Educational Foundation President Kathleen Doyle and KESQ’s Peter Daut, both of whom dressed in true James Bond formal wear. Their banter, along with quips from DSEF Director Sean Webb and co-chair Caroline Sofonio, added to the evening’s fun.

Four live auction items were sold from the stage to some lively bidding. A large multi-media painting by first graders at Gerald Ford Elementary School started off the auction and went for $500. The three other items included a fully stocked bar cart with bartender service, a framed James Bond roulette wheel and a five-course private chef dinner with wine pairings. Total raised for the evening appears to be more than $25,000.

A number of desert VIPs were in attendance until the wee hours as they danced and played table games following dinner and the presentations. They were there to celebrate not only the students but three amazing partners who were recognized that evening. Desert Champions LLC (Indian Wells Tennis Garden) was honored as the Community Organization of the Year, attorney Walter T. Clark was named Community Member of the Year and retiring superintendent Scott L. Bailey was called to the stage as the Staff Member Honoree of the Year.

Steve Bidwell, COO of Desert Champions LLC, accepted the award from Gerald Ford Elementary teacher Lisa Lawson, who spoke of the partnership and the support offered by the Tennis Garden to the school and to the district. Victoria Sung, a student at Indio High School and a member of the Walter Clark Legal Group Mock Trial Program, related success stories about DSUSD students who have been funded by Clark and his team to participate in nationwide competitions.

Bailey received his award from film student and mentee Stefan Pejovic and me. We were his costar and director in the "Not So Undercover Sup" series, which is available for viewing on the district’s website. The outgoing superintendent took a moment in his speech to thank those in attendance for working with him during his tenure at DSUSD and introduced new Superintendent Kelly May-Vollmar, Ed.D.

In addition to the real VIPs of the evening, the students, adult guests included DSUSD teachers and administrators and members of the DSEF board as well as city of Indio Councilmember Glenn Miller (also representing Senator Melissa Melendez), Mayor Jan Harnik of Palm Desert, Mayor Linda Evans of La Quinta, Palm Desert Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, Councilmember John Pena and Councilmember Steve Sanchez of La Quinta, as well as DSUSD School Board president Ana Conover and members Linda Porras and Tricia Pearce. California State Representative Chad Mayes was represented by his district director, Greg Wallis.

The spinning of the roulette wheel had barely come to a halt before the foundation board members were planning next year’s event.

For more information on the Desert Sands Unified School District, visit dsusd.us.

Mary E.B. Perry is the public information officer for Desert Sands Unified School District.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: DSUSD wraps school year with James Bond-themed fundraiser