The Round Rock ISD Partners in Education (PIE) Foundation raised $270,388 at its 16th annual Shining Stars Gala, held on Feb. 25, 2017.

The Gala is the Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year and proceeds are used to enrich, enhance and maximize the quality of education for all students in Round Rock ISD through scholarships, classroom grants, teacher of the year awards and more.

The Gala, themed “Fire and Ice,” was supported in part by St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center as a presenting sponsor with a $30,000 donation, while Dell, Inc and GTS Technology Solutions co-sponsored the Gold sponsor with a $7,500 each. In addition to these sponsorships, the YMCA of Greater Williamson County along with Bartlett Cocke General Contractors served as Silver sponsors with each company donating $10,000.

“We are fortunate as a school District to have the support of our Partners in Education Foundation,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Flores said. “The Foundation has supported our schools for over 31 years. This was a world-class event that will go a long way in supporting innovation and learning in Round Rock ISD.”

This year’s event was hosted at the Sheraton Hotel in Georgetown and included a silent auction, and a live auction sponsored by Dell Children’s Medical Center/Ascension with a donation of $5,000. Guests enjoyed a variety of games and activities including dancing and a casino.

“The Foundation is humbled by the support of our business and community partners who so generously showed their support of our teachers and students by their attendance and financial contributions during the event,” PIE Foundation Executive Director Marianne Reap said. “We are excited that through these donations we will be able to fund more innovative programs for our students.”

In 2016, the Foundation raised $251,869 at the Gala, which funded 50 projects on 47 campuses totalling $85,000, affecting more than 25,000 students. The Foundation also supported $100,000 in student scholarships, $14,500 in Teacher of the Year monetary gifts, $48,000 in School supplies and $16,500 in special projects.