The Clear Creek Education Foundation (CCEF) hosted its first REGENCY GALA: A ROYAL AFFAIR, Saturday, Feb. 4th at South Shore Harbour Conference Center and raised nearly $100,000 for Clear Creek ISD teachers by funding their innovative classroom grants. There was 200 in attendance for the Bridgerton-themed event.
“The Foundation raises money to help our schools make innovative changes in our classroom that might not otherwise occur. It is my absolute pleasure to assist with community events that help fund these projects. Our gala was truly the event of the season, and we raised money that will go back directly to the teachers and classroom,” said Chris Rylant, Gala Chairperson.
The evening’s festivities began at 6:30pm with a three-course meal, live music with the Black Cat Choir Band, dancing, a Golden Raffle, a whiskey tasting, and a live auction. Winners of our Golden Raffle were Mrs. Lakeisha Jones, winner of the Pearl and Diamond Necklace & Earring Set; Mr. and Mrs. Kane Barnett, winner of the Carrabba’s Dinner for 8; Mrs. Jackie Bullard, winner of the Rodeo Tickets, Ms. Steph Smoot, winner of the whiskey basket. Items that were auctioned off included rodeo tickets, an Xtreme Xperience (driving a Ferrari around a racetrack), Superintendent for the Day and a one week stay in an oceanfront condo in Hawaii.
“In my 10 years on the Board of Directors, I cannot remember a time when I’ve seen so many volunteers and Board members come together and work so hard to provide such a beautiful event for our community. It would not have been possible without them. We could not have picked a better Chairperson for this event, Ms. Christine Rylant. Her vision and theme inspiration for this event was spectacular. Deborah Laine, CCEF Executive Director and Michele Thomas, CCEF Community Marketing & Event Manager, worked tirelessly to keep everything together and running down the track. This was an incredible event and one to remember,” said Greg Ploss, 2023 CCEF Chairman.
The CCEF Regency Gala: A Royal Affair was supported by Diamond sponsors, Chemical Process and Production, Inc. and Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins, Mott LLP; Regency Sponsor – PBK Architects; Queen’s Court Sponsors – EliteCare Emergency Hospital, Joiner Architects, Moody Bank, south Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, Texas First Bank and The Woodhouse Spa; Duke of Hastings Sponsors – AMOCO Federal Credit Union, Bob Martin HKS, Inc, South Land Title Company, and National Signs. CCEF is extremely grateful to all our sponsors and to the local businesses who donated items that supported the success of the event. Special thanks to Pastor John Aaron Matthew; JT Buford; our Queen, Jill Reason and the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Performers; our CCISD Quartet; South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center; Debi Starr; and Majestic Linens.
The event was planned by a 20-person volunteer committee that included Chairperson Chris Rylant; CCEF Executive Director Deborah Laine and CCEF Community Marketing and Events Manager Michele Thomas; Committee Members: Kelli Byrd, Greg Ploss, Cyndy Butcher, Mickey Wooten, Colin Rickard, Lisa Polansky, Elizabeth Wiehle, Lisa Holbrook, Jenny McCorkle, Ashley Goodhue, Jill Reason, Heidi Riegel, Laura Mackay, Karen McCorkle, Melinda Mintz, Sarah Moutz and Gerard Guderian.
Since its founding in 1992, CCEF has been a nonprofit dedicated to building public education in Clear Creek ISD through grants and programs that empower every student to achieve academic and personal success. CCEF has contributed over $5 million to CCISD for innovative programs in the classroom. More information can be found at
the CCEF website www.ClearCreekEducationFoundation.org.