Mardi Gras in Full Swing at the Northwest Academy’s Annual Club Cabaret Auction

Northwest Academy parents Vesna and Rajko Kostur with daughters Leksi and Nina

Portland, February 25th. The Portland Art Museum’s ballroom was transformed into a Mardi Gras celebration for Northwest Academy’s annual Club Cabaret dinner and auction. Northwest Academy parents Vesna and Rajko Kostur, and their daughters Leksi and Nina, got into the spirit with elaborate masks. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

2012 Arlene Schnitzer Award for Excellence Winner Lindley Morton, Northwest Academy Head of School Mary Vinton Folberg and Corrinne Oishi

The event drew more than 300 guests and featured Michael Curry’s world famous and larger-than-life puppets, as well as student and staff performances.

One of the world-famous Michael Curry Puppets

The auction raised over $150,000 for the Northwest Academy scholarship fund, which supports one in four students, with many going on to receive financial aid at the college or university of their choice. Head of School Mary Vinton Folberg also announced that Northwest Academy just signed an agreement to purchase the former YWCA building for the new permanent home for the school.

Northwest Academy’s Board of Trustees shares the announcement about the school’s new permanent home in the former YWCA building on SW 10th Avenue.

Club Cabaret is Northwest Academy’s annual gala auction showcasing both the fine and performing arts programs popular at the college preparatory middle and high school located in downtown Portland’s cultural district. At Club Cabaret, guests had the chance to bid on live auction items a behind-the-scenes tour of Michael Curry Studios for ten people, a Zupan’s Wine Cellar Dinner, Ponzi at Twilight and a luxury getaway to Yelapa, Mexico.

“Club Cabaret is a way to reach into the community with an amazing evening of original performances and a live and silent auction to raise funds to support our scholarship fund,” said Mary Vinton Folberg, Head of School. “Without scholarship assistance, many gifted students who enrich our community would be unable to attend our school.”

Northwest Academy Preparatory student vocalist Maya Fine

The Auctioneer for the benefit was Kelly Russell and emcee, Pete Ferryman, Anchor, FOX 12 News

From Northwest Academy:

Northwest Academy is an accredited independent, college preparatory school, grades 6 through 12, committed to education through academics and the arts. Founded in 1997 by Mary Folberg, Northwest Academy offers rigorous academic and arts programs that emphasize and value creative thinking, individual choice, and self-discipline, taught by master teachers and professionals active in their fields – from dance and art to humanities and science. Northwest Academy prepares students for the demands of the 21^st century by maintaining a strong focus on independent thought and problem solving together with an emphasis on new approaches to modern day issues. Northwest Academy is located at 1130 SW Main Street, Portland, Oregon 97205; 503-223-3367. For more information, please visit www.nwacademy.org

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.