2022
Announcing our 1st Annual
Illumination Gala!
Join us May 14, 2022
at the the Dena’ina Center, in Anchorage, Alaska for an evening of food, drinks, entertainment, and a live auction!
5:30 Reception
7:30 Program
Each year, Pacific Northern Academy’s annual gala is the single largest fundraiser ensuring the future of independent education in Alaska. This year, we are proud to launch a refreshed annual event, co-chaired by Danica Bartow and Kari Ellsworth to support exceptional education in Alaska, teaching the next generation of leaders! The evening will have a special emphasis on the next phase of the pandemic, focusing on the mental health of students. PNA will partner with the Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling, an organization founded by graduate Zoe Kaplan to raise critical funds for mental health awareness and launch a new initiative that will serve current PNA students.
Changemaker Award
Pacific Northern Academy will honor Alumni Zoe Kaplan,
with our inaugural 2022 Changemaker Award; for achievements lighting the way towards a brighter future.
Zoe Kaplan is the Co-founder of Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling (MHATS), an organization with the goal of decreasing the stigma and increasing access to mental health resources through true, personal stories related to mental health hardship and triumph.
Through this organization Zoe has been able to share her personal story, connect with Alaskan teens on mental health resources, and advocate for mental health in schools at the Alaska State Legislature.
Zoe shared that she loved that PNA set her standards for education high,
“but the real gift PNA gave me was courage. The courage to stand up and fight for what I believe in.”
This much-anticipated evening is PNA’s most important and successful fundraising event of the year. Funds raised at the auction allow us to obtain the additional support needed to enhance our facilities, secure new technologies, and offer new programs that are imperative for our students’ personal and academic growth.
Each year we depend on volunteers and their generosity.
Thank you to all the people who help form our Event Committee!
Want to learn more details about our fabulous evening?
FAQ’s
Whether this is your first PNA gala or 15th, we have your answers to frequently asked questions! The who’s, what’s, where’s, why’s, and how’s!
Auction Donations
We couldn’t reach our fundraising goal without your collaboration in gathering items and experiences to donate to our auctions! Here are tips and example conversations to help you on your way!
Sponsorships
Your participation in reaching out to potential sponsors is one of the best ways you can help PNA at this year’s gala! We’ve done our best to make this easy for you!
Let’s make your evening a little easier!
Bus Transportation
For your convenience, we are offering FREE bus transportation from PNA to the Dena’ina Center and back, for our Illumination Gala attendees! The bus will leave PNA at 4pm, and then leave the Dena’ina Center at 10pm, getting back to PNA at 11pm.
Childcare
We are offering childcare at PNA from 4pm-11pm on the night of the Gala. $50 for each child (please bring cash) and all children must be currently enrolled in PNA. Dinner and snacks will be provided.
COVID Mitigation Plan
Please provide proof of vaccination or a negative test 72 hours prior to the event.
We will have free on-site testing available.
❤️ Thank you to our generous 2022 event sponsors!
Pioneers
Bartow Associates and Zimmer / Bartow Children
Plastic Surgeons of Alaska
Dreamers
Create Academy Supporter – Bill Donovan
Luminaries
Alpenglow Pain & Wellness
Anchorage Oral and Implant Surgery – Dr. Sashi Parameswaran
CMS Consulting LLC
Cronen Consulting
Frawner Corporation
JL Properties
M & M
Mehner Weiser Real Estate – Bethany Weiser & Bonnie Mehner
Northern Energy Services
PNA Board of Trustees
The Rhyneer Family
TrailerCraft Inc
Sparklers
Johan Lundebye and Charmaine Ng
David and Heidi Baines
Pete and Anne Brown
Twinklers
Changemaker Award Sponsored by Head of School
ConocoPhillips
Demain/Waring
The Swanson Family
Charitable giving is a necessary part of independent schools financial profile.
If you would like to make a gift by cash or check, please send to:
Pacific Northern Academy
Attn: Development Office
2511 Sentry Drive, STE 100
Anchorage, AK 99507
Please make checks payable to: Pacific Northern Academy.
Many Thanks to,
Ral West and John Hardwick
PNA receives no federal or state funding. The auction supports programs at the school and student tuition affordability.