Jaunts for Juniors
Social Circus
For its fab fundraiser, the Christian Brothers School Campus in City Park was transformed into “Cirque De Soiree,” the title for the 2023 Magic in the Park. The gala and auction – chaired by Angela Tullier, Allison Couvillion, Valrie Amato and Tara Rudloff, with husbands Marcel, Josh, Keith and Todd — were sponsored by Christian Brothers Foundation. Pat Rooney and Carol Couvillion (with Maryann and Dennis) are the foundation’s respective president and operations executive. Joey Scaffidi (with Lisa) is the Christian Brothers School president.
To launch the aerie socializing, patrons assembled under the magical lights of the Founder’s Courtyard for signature drinks, sushi and more. Thanked for libations at both this party and the gala were Abita Brewing Company, Crescent Crown Distributing, and Lula Restaurant Distillery, while Louisiana Spice (sponsored by Petroquip) provided musical purveyance.
At the main event, the decorations wowed one and “Cirque” all. Some of the eye-catchers were the tented effect; bright colors of red, yellow and blue; string lights; tables covered in red or blue with black-and-white striped ribbons; and music box or flowers and feathers centerpieces. The stilt man, outfitted in a gold suit and gold top hat, made his rounds, while a sequined-body-suited artist did just that, but in smaller confines, with her glowing hula hoop. The aerialists throughout were 6 feet tall and undertook different poses on the trapeze.
Further features were the ice sculpture that replicated the invitation; food from 31 restaurants, hotels and caterers under the chairing of Katie Moro with help from Steve Pettus; and the 350-items auction. Top bidders were Liz and Jason Baer for the stay at Mont La Salle in Napa, California, offered by the Christian Brothers New Orleans San Francisco District. As for the raffles, the winners were Vincent and Victoria Scelfo (free tuition for 2023-2024), Rebecca Moos (Southwest travel voucher) and a lucky dozen (class raffle items from each grade).
Taking all this in, and relishing it, were Amy and Chris Piacun, Corrie and John Moran, Caroline Landry Rittiner, Danielle and Rob Hinyub, Stephanie and Brian Boh, Patrice and Chris Kononchek, Michael Prat, Meredith and Jones Dieth, Kim and David Flair, Ainsley and Brian Houghtaling, and Mary and Nolan Lambert. To mention a few of the many, who heeded band Louisiana Spice’s beckoning for their own night moves.
Clocking In!
The Cannery was the site for the school set, which included 188 girls and 187 boys, when Eight O’Clocks held forth. Cranberry, gold and ivory were the featured chromatics with pops of the first color and gold glitter embellishing balloon arches, the photo wall and table décor. Light-up marquees and balloons in the tri-colors by Balloon Float NOLA graced entry ways.
An hour prior to the main event, a dessert party gathered the girls. They munched on Joan Farrell Mathis cookies, king cakes (Dough Nguyeners) and candy, while sipping Shirley Temples. After the dessert party, and before the boys’ arrival, the committee moms and DJ Dave presented a “great reveal” and moved to the main ballroom for a group photo. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun" was the musical underscoring, and the sentiment.
Chairing the event were the mothers of eighth-graders Paige Banta and Caroline Kuuskraa, Kathleen Viguerie Banta and Catherine Gorman Kuuskraa, whose husbands, Ben and Jason, lent helping hands. More mother-daughter duos were Arden Barnett and Elise, Kristen Breckinridge and Caroline, Amy Casbarian and Francie, Leslie Gaspard and Jessie, Julie Habetz and Courtney, Holt Kolb and Clyde and Ellie, Rhonda Leopold and Parker, Kim O’Brien and Maeve, Heidi Raines and Cecilia, Kara Schonberg and Ann, Adrienne Screen and Molly, and Charlee Williamson and Vivi and Lesley.
Among their dozens of guests were Madison Able, Mary Frances Baldwin, Jane-Owen Coleman, Simmons Dupuy, Olivia Gill, Virginia Lovell, Zoe McCall, Ellie Seaman, Hollier Sutherlin, Rosie Varisco, Ella Whisnant, Susu Milling, Bear Bonavita, Ashton de Laureal, Robert Hughes, Holden Roubion, Riley Roubion, Gaines Seaman and Wells Tucker. They made beelines to the sno-ball cart, sliders station and chicken skewers, and when it was time to groove, took to the floor for hit numbers. A favorite was Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night Away.” Most did.
Vogue in the Vieux Carre
Such was half of the title for La Fête, the annual on-site gala of Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, which was tri-partite: patron party, main event, young patron party. The title’s remainder was “Celebrating Women in Fashion, Art and Service.”
History always plays a part. Ursuline Academy is the oldest girls’ school and “the oldest Catholic school in the U.S.” Preparations are already underway for the tricentennial.
Headlining names were Academy President Dr. Karen Jakuback and board chair David Huete with spouses John and Maria. More notables, and there were scores, included former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, school principal Sue Heidel, Alden and Rhesa McDonald, Parents’ Club President Marion Newsom, Judy Caliva, Bronson and Crystal LaFrance, Elizabeth Broekman, Suzanne Thomas, Scott and Amber Peskin, Florencia and Turco DeRoussel, and, as Alumnae Association board co-presidents, Lacy Davillier (with Luke O’Neal) and Annie Palmer.
Patrons assembled outside the school’s entrance for initial conviviality, appetizers and drinks. At 7:50 p.m., president Jakuback stood on the staircase to welcome and thank them, as she recalled the school’s impressive legacy. Meanwhile, the 152-items silent auction opened (with Mike Cassesi as the top bidder for a chartered fishing excursion), as did City Wholesale Liquor Co.’s Sazerac Bar. Bourbon and cigars were further features.
On to the main event! It unfolded in one of the city’s most beautiful courtyards with colorful hints of decorative magenta, gold and navy, up-lighting by SoundSource, and Brent Alexander’s lush floral arrangements, which he donated. Sage Dining Services fed the flock with a mashtini bar, shrimp and grits, beef tenderloin, chicken yakitori and bananas Foster. For the musical menu, the NOLA Dukes Band & Simon Burke Trio provided the joyful beat.
Tending the Garden
“Inspire” themed the Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Beneficiary Luncheon that was held at the Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy (DJODHSA) in Jefferson, with Jane Madden, chef Jay Madden and Dr. Patty Glaser, head of school, as notables. Flower Farmer did the florals; the DJODHSA marching band, the leadership for the second line into the seated luncheon; St. Michael Special School, the cheerleading welcoming; Belle Chasse Academy, the “bartending” of mocktails with ingredients from the school gardens; and NOCCA Culinary students, the menu under chef Dana Tuohy. The hosting academy students were creatively hospitable.
The foundation’s signature program, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, integrates school curriculum into garden and teaching classes. There are six School Partners throughout the U.S. The luncheon occurred during Lagasse’s Carnivale du Vin weekend, which raises heaps of money for charitable causes.
Gathered to the garden were chef Emeril and Alden Lagasse, foundation president Brian Kish, Fred Holley, Sonny Lee, Mark Romig, Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, Suzie and Paul Frank, Gary Solomon Sr., Rene Thompson, Luis Arocha, Cissy Cerise LaForge, Ph.D., Bridget Harrell, Mike Thompson, Stephanie and George Brannon, Roni and chef Rick Moonen, who lunched for student largesse.