Dream a Big Dream:
Auction 2001

It was "matchless," but only if you mean unequaled. The UCDS "Dream a Big Dream Auction 2001" was a matchless success - netting a whopping $374,000 for the new playground project, Teacher Excellence, Financial Aid, and to support previous auction projects. But an amazing, and first ever, 1:1 match opportunity for Financial Aid and Teacher Excellence, offered by a group of anonymous donors, ignited an already eager crowd.

The Fund-an-Item bidding for Teacher Excellence soared to the largest amount ever, in the history of UCDS auctions: $69,550. But with the 1:1 match, the total jumped to an incredible $139,100!

The UCDS community does know that its teachers are the best. That sentiment was made known through the bidding for the Teacher Excellence Fund-an-Item, but the community also showed its appreciation for teachers by giving them a rousing and extended standing ovation. Many attendees were wiping tears by the time the ovation was over.

"Obviously, we have our fingers on what people value most," Gerin Suehiro (2000/01 President, UCDS Parent Association) said as the final totals came in. Like the rest of us, the sound of those standing ovations rang in her ears. That was passion, not politeness. Creative and committed teachers are the very marrow of our school and we know it.

Then the bidding for Financial Aid commenced. And again, with enthusiasm sparked by this rare match opportunity, bidding quickly rose to $45,920. And then came the 1:1 matching bid that sent that total to $91,840!

A student diversity that is economic as well as ethnic and born of experience is an advantage we can and must offer the children of UCDS.

A spirit of purpose plus a sense of true excitement infused the Design Center space. Auction co-chairs Karen Booth and Jane Caron handed us a very, very good time while giving us a way to offer our school a helping hand. And the faces of our children up on the auction stage glowed like candles.

They "got it." This was about their futures and that of UCDS. The funds raised for the school's sorely needed and imaginatively conceived playground renovation, would begin with them and go forward, leaving something proud and gleeful and lasting.