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Concordia counts its community blessings
By Michelle de Rozario |
June 1, 2009, Monday
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CONCORDIA International School Shanghai wrapped up its year-long 10th anniversary celebrations in style from April 24 to April 26, with a weekend jam-packed with events.
The school community gathered from near and far to join in the three days of celebrations, adding an even more international flavor than usual as a host of visitors streamed into Shanghai in mid-week in preparation for the planned events.
The celebrations began with Concordia's High School musical performance of The Sound of Music, with a cast, crew and orchestra involving more than 70 elementary, middle and high school students. Audiences were wowed at each of the four three-hour performances by the outstanding singing, elaborate costumes and stunning sets.
Saturday night was a gala dinner featuring a live and silent auction, and dancing for nearly 500 guests at the Shangri-La Hotel. With a theme of "Blessed to be a Blessing" and in support of Concordia's flagship charity, the Yunnan Education Project, the six-hour event was a testimony to Concordia's commitment to high-quality education for expatriate children in Shanghai and its community-wide commitment to giving back to its host country. It also highlighted Concordia's significant growth in Pudong's Jinqiao area over the past 10 years.
At the gala dinner, which opened with a warm welcome from auction co-chairs and long-time Concordia parents Dan and Anita Haycook, the Concordia Head of School Dr James Koerschen recognized the many constituents that have directly contributed to this growth.
Among them are Concordia's Louise and Michael Weber. Louise, the elementary school principal, and Michael, director of technology from 1998 to 2008, were awarded the 2009 International Lutheran Educators award by Dr Jonathan Laabs, executive director of the Lutheran Education Association. Laabs traveled to Shanghai specifically to present the award, which was given to dual recipients for the first time in its history. The award recognizes the Webers as Lutheran educators.
Concordia's YEP faculty advisor Patrick Frerking and Concordia Welfare Education Foundation Executive Director Michelle Hoeppner also gave attendees a detailed account of how the auction funds would be channeled through CWEF to reach the many children and families in need in China's Yunnan Province.
The event's 100-plus silent auction items brought out a healthy competitive edge as the bidding deadlines grew closer for items and services generously donated by local vendors and corporations to support the YEP cause.
The energy level remained high during the 16-item live auction, led by 2009 auctioneers and Concordia grade 7 teachers Robert Hulse and Tony Tovar. The evening's donations from the live and silent auction totaled more than 1.1 million yuan (US$161,208.) Additional funds were raised through raffles, which offered trips to Japan as well as Hong Kong Disneyland Park tickets.
Gala attendees were entertained by guest jazz vocalist Mandy Gaines from Shanghai's Brown Sugar Jazz Club, and finished the evening late with dancing to DJ music.
Faculty and friends gathered again midday on April 26 at Concordia for a potluck brunch. The brunch was a great chance for old friends to catch up in an informal setting, and many were still in celebratory mode from the previous evening.
Later on Sunday evening, Concordia opened its doors to its community once again for a celebration service with guest speakers Rev Dale Koehneke (senior pastor, Church of All Nations, Hong Kong); Rev David Birner (associate executive director, International LCMS World Missions); Dr Fred Voigtmann (president, Concordia Board of Directors); and Dr Allan Schmidt (Concordia founding head of school). The final event, hosted in the Rittmann Theater, was also an opportunity to unveil Concordia's new processional cross, designed by US artist Dr Ken Schmidt, as well as the premier performance of Anniversary Alleluia, written by Dr Koerschen specially for the occason.
"Concordia has much to be proud of," Koerschen said. "We are truly 'Blessed to be a Blessing'."
Michelle de Rozario is director of marketing, Concordia International School Shanghai
The school community gathered from near and far to join in the three days of celebrations, adding an even more international flavor than usual as a host of visitors streamed into Shanghai in mid-week in preparation for the planned events.
The celebrations began with Concordia's High School musical performance of The Sound of Music, with a cast, crew and orchestra involving more than 70 elementary, middle and high school students. Audiences were wowed at each of the four three-hour performances by the outstanding singing, elaborate costumes and stunning sets.
Saturday night was a gala dinner featuring a live and silent auction, and dancing for nearly 500 guests at the Shangri-La Hotel. With a theme of "Blessed to be a Blessing" and in support of Concordia's flagship charity, the Yunnan Education Project, the six-hour event was a testimony to Concordia's commitment to high-quality education for expatriate children in Shanghai and its community-wide commitment to giving back to its host country. It also highlighted Concordia's significant growth in Pudong's Jinqiao area over the past 10 years.
At the gala dinner, which opened with a warm welcome from auction co-chairs and long-time Concordia parents Dan and Anita Haycook, the Concordia Head of School Dr James Koerschen recognized the many constituents that have directly contributed to this growth.
Among them are Concordia's Louise and Michael Weber. Louise, the elementary school principal, and Michael, director of technology from 1998 to 2008, were awarded the 2009 International Lutheran Educators award by Dr Jonathan Laabs, executive director of the Lutheran Education Association. Laabs traveled to Shanghai specifically to present the award, which was given to dual recipients for the first time in its history. The award recognizes the Webers as Lutheran educators.
Concordia's YEP faculty advisor Patrick Frerking and Concordia Welfare Education Foundation Executive Director Michelle Hoeppner also gave attendees a detailed account of how the auction funds would be channeled through CWEF to reach the many children and families in need in China's Yunnan Province.
The event's 100-plus silent auction items brought out a healthy competitive edge as the bidding deadlines grew closer for items and services generously donated by local vendors and corporations to support the YEP cause.
The energy level remained high during the 16-item live auction, led by 2009 auctioneers and Concordia grade 7 teachers Robert Hulse and Tony Tovar. The evening's donations from the live and silent auction totaled more than 1.1 million yuan (US$161,208.) Additional funds were raised through raffles, which offered trips to Japan as well as Hong Kong Disneyland Park tickets.
Gala attendees were entertained by guest jazz vocalist Mandy Gaines from Shanghai's Brown Sugar Jazz Club, and finished the evening late with dancing to DJ music.
Faculty and friends gathered again midday on April 26 at Concordia for a potluck brunch. The brunch was a great chance for old friends to catch up in an informal setting, and many were still in celebratory mode from the previous evening.
Later on Sunday evening, Concordia opened its doors to its community once again for a celebration service with guest speakers Rev Dale Koehneke (senior pastor, Church of All Nations, Hong Kong); Rev David Birner (associate executive director, International LCMS World Missions); Dr Fred Voigtmann (president, Concordia Board of Directors); and Dr Allan Schmidt (Concordia founding head of school). The final event, hosted in the Rittmann Theater, was also an opportunity to unveil Concordia's new processional cross, designed by US artist Dr Ken Schmidt, as well as the premier performance of Anniversary Alleluia, written by Dr Koerschen specially for the occason.
"Concordia has much to be proud of," Koerschen said. "We are truly 'Blessed to be a Blessing'."
Michelle de Rozario is director of marketing, Concordia International School Shanghai
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