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Turning an eye to the next 50 years of post-secondary learning in our region, the community is invited to the Selkirk College Gala 2016 where students of today showcase talents being honed for their future.

The annual gala is a highlight of the pre-Christmas social calendar, bringing together Selkirk College supporters at Nelson’s Mary Hall on the Tenth Street Campus for a spectacular evening of food, service and entertainment. As part of the college’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, this year’s gala focuses on the theme “Futures Waiting.”

“We had a fantastic start to our 50th year at the Homecoming Weekend back in September where the focus was ‘Journeys Taken,’” says Selkirk College Donor Relations Coordinator and Gala organizer Joleen Kinakin. “At this year’s gala we are moving into the ‘Futures Waiting’ element of this year-long celebration. The gala is a chance to build on a legacy for future students by raising funds for scholarships and bursaries.”

The November 26 gala evening features students in the Professional Cook Training Program, Resort & Hotel Management Program, and the Contemporary Music & Technology Program. It starts with cold canapes and hot hors d’oeuvres, moves into a three-course meal (this year featuring surf and turf as the entrée), and concludes with music performed by faculty and students.

“Every gala is different because the students who work so hard to prepare the food, provide the service and entertain the guests are exploring their own unique and special talents,” says Kinakin. “It’s an evening like no other and it’s exciting to have the community share in their journey.”

The evening is an important fundraiser for both financial awards and creating opportunities for experiential learning. This year’s proceeds will be going towards two important financial initiatives, the 50th Anniversary Legacy Fund and a scholarship for a new partnership with a music school in Rwanda.

The 50th Anniversary Legacy Fund was kicked off at the annual Bursary Tea this past February. The goal is to raise $50,000 for scholarships and bursaries that will help students into the future. Those who attend the gala will have the opportunity to pre-order the Selkirk College 50th Anniversary commemorative coffee table book that will be available in the spring. All proceeds from the book will go towards the legacy fund.

The music program will be the beneficiary of this year’s silent auction element of the evening with funds raised helping build a scholarship to enhance a partnership Selkirk College has forged with Rwanda’s Nyundo School of Music. The partnership provides a unique opportunity for students at both schools to shrink the world through music.

“We are still in the early stages of this partnership, but so far students from Rwanda have visited Nelson and this past spring we had three students travel to Africa,” says music program instructor Gilles Parenteau. “As part of this exciting new bond, our students and faculty will be performing a diverse set of music at the gala evening that will touch on the spirit of this important relationship.”

Students majoring in songwriting and performance will show their musical chops with original songs and covers. Along with raising funds for the international project, proceeds from the silent auction will assist entrance scholarships for students choosing the music program in future years.

Tickets for the Selkirk College Gala 2016 are $70 per person (or $520 for a table of eight) and are available at selkirk.ca/gala-2016.

Original article from Selkirk College

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