The Round Rock ISD Partners in Education (PIE) Foundation’s 22nd Annual Shining Stars Gala, “An Evening Around the World,” at the new Embassy Suites by Hilton in Round Rock raised over $420,000. The funds raised benefit innovative programs in the classroom that are not supported by traditional tax dollars. This year’s event focused on the appreciation of the many different cultures and languages that make up Round Rock ISD. The program highlighted the recognition of the District Secondary and Elementary Teacher of the Year winners, the Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs including the Horticulture Department at Stony Point that created all the floral arrangements for the evening, a video showcasing of the grant support for a number of innovative classroom CTE programs, and reading programs funded in part by the Foundation.
“The Foundation is so grateful to all of our community leaders, business partners, and PTAs who together continue to support Round Rock ISD and our fundraising efforts in the goal of supporting innovative education for all students,” said Marianne Reap, PIE Foundation executive director. “Though we support every campus and department in the District, we continue to increase support for students interested in furthering their education in the trades and also balancing support for social and emotional support for our students and staff.”
With the support of the PIE Foundation’s Presenting Sponsor, Texas Children’s Hospital, all 400 guests took part in an evening that included dinner, live and silent auctions, World Gallery featuring student artwork, a casino, and games. Texas Children’s Hospital will be opening up a new hospital with 52 beds in North Austin in early 2024. The hospital will include neonatal intensive care, pediatric intensive care, operating rooms, epilepsy monitoring, sleep center, emergency center, fetal center for advanced fetal interventions and fetal surgery with a special high-risk delivery unit, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, acute care, and an on-site Texas Children’s Urgent Care location.
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, innovative classroom grants, teacher of the year awards, and more.
Along with Presenting Sponsor, Texas Children’s Hospital, the Foundation is honored to have been supported by Colosseum Sponsors, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, Rock Springs, Smile Doctors, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, and Taj Mahal Sponsors Dell Technologies, DLR Group, Escamilla & Poneck, LLP, Gatti-Town, Weaver Technologies, LLC, and Texas Custom Signs.
The Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation’s mission is to develop and allocate resources to the Round Rock Independent School District to enrich, enhance, and maximize the quality of education for all students. The Foundation is an independent, non-profit corporation established by parents, local businesses, civic organizations, and community leaders to make a positive impact on public education.
