Contact
Linda Medina-Lopez, Executive Director
Pflugerville Education Foundation
linda.medina@pfisd.net
512-594-0171
Pflugerville, Texas (February 28, 2024) – The Pflugerville Education Pfoundation (PEF) recently hosted its annual fundraising gala to raise funds for Pflugerville Independent School District school teachers and students. The gala, A Night in Rio, successfully raised almost $210,000 in donations that will support classroom teachers and students through grants and scholarship dollars.
“The commitment and contributions of our PEF board members and donors is evident in an event like this, when you can look back and see how much work goes into the production and success of the evening,” said Linda Medina-Lopez, executive director of the Pflugerville Education Pfoundation. “A huge thank you goes to gala chair, Candace Pruett and operations lead, Staci Young for their vision, leadership, and for pouring their hearts into the event.”
In addition to the silent auction, paddles up live auction, the evening highlighted eight teachers who were awarded classroom grants totalling $15,500. Winners include:
● Catherine Crain of Hendrickson High School for Circuitry Design Kits in the amount of $2,300
● Jennifer Elkins of River Oaks Elementary for bringing a Math Lab to the students in the amount of $1,500
● Jessica Matthews of Pflugerville High School for 3D Modeling of Molecules for Chemistry in the amount of $3,000
● Paula-Rae Manning of Riojas Elementary for promoting learning with ukuleles for the amount of $1,350
● Rachel Haire of Pflugerville Elementary for scientific lessons through magnets for the amount of $2,800
● Rita Aleman and Hoda Mohamed of PfISD for a district set of Ozobots to expand computational thinking for the amount of $3,000
● Zaz Saclarides of Dessau Middle School for creating a diversity and inclusion discussion group through literature for the amount of $1,550
The evening featured the student jazz band from Connally High School directed by Thomas Burnett with more than 400 business and community leaders coming together to support Pflugerville schools and raise funds for the 2024-2025 school year. There were also samba performers and band members from Austin Samba, face painters by Alicia Paints ATX, memorabilia by Diamonds in the Rough, and a live auction held by Bost Benefit Auctions.
“I am proud to lead the PEF Board and serve with board members who work hard to build a strong educational foundation for our schools providing grants and scholarships to teachers and students, said Charlie Torres, board president, Pflugerville Education Pfoundation.”
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About Pflugerville Education Pfoundation
The Pflugerville Education Pfoundation (PEF) relies on contributions from community leaders, businesses, parents, and grants to support the students, staff and the community of Pflugerville ISD. The Pfoundation, established in 2006, is a non-profit organization that operates independently of the school district but shares the district’s vision for quality education with a commitment to excellence. Funds raised are used to help develop, implement and sustain new teaching strategies, innovative ideas, and other initiatives to enhance instruction and educational opportunities, as well as recognize exemplary students and educators. For additional information and to learn how you can be a part of the Foundation’s outstanding work or serve on the board visit https://thepfoundation.org/.
