by Cheryl Smithem

The sixth annual Jeremy’s Gala to benefit aspiring teachers will be held April 18, 2013 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Lighthouse on the Creek located on historic Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Proceeds benefit the Jeremy Warren Vann Scholarship fund, which awards semester scholarships to teacher education candidates at the College of Charleston during their clinical practice semester as they intern in public school classrooms, experiencing in context what they learned in their education coursework.

Recent recipients of the scholarship say the award was “a blessing” and critical to them becoming classroom teachers. Shateara Hall ‘12, now employed as a teacher, said “the Jeremy Warren Vann Scholarship helped me survive clinical practice, one of the most financially challenging semesters of college.”

Darian Lunne who is currently in her clinical practice semester said, “The scholarship award has lessened the financial burden of graduate school. I realize that we all have gifts which can flow through us and benefit others and I thank these donors for sharing their financial gifts so that I may share my gift of teaching.”

Last year the gala raised over $40,000 for the Jeremy Warren Vann Scholarship fund. This year Gala Committee Chair Chuck Davis said the goal is $45,000. Davis also revealed a few of the six to eight items that will be included in the live auction. “The golf cart donated by Club Car will be the most sought after item. It has a retail value of $5,000 and always elicits competitive bidding. We’ll also have a Gordon Wheeler fine-art print in the live auction. And we’ll auction off a semester scholarship, with all contributing bidders having their names engraved on a plaque in the lobby of the Jeremy Warren Vann Teacher Education Center.”

“For the silent auction, we’ll have more than 100 items ranging from services to restaurant gift certificates and stays at downtown hotels. This year, we even have a bicycle built for two. The silent auction always includes items that can be won with bids as low as $10.00. So there is something for every pocketbook.”

“For the sixth year, Croghan’s Jewel Box is a major sponsor of the event. Returning this year as emcee is WCBD Storm Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Rob Fowler.”

Awards from the fund are made to deserving teacher candidates based on need and academic performance. Awards support students during the semester in which they complete their teaching internships and range from $5,500 to $5,700 in tuition assistance. Since its founding, the fund has awarded 25 scholarships. Beginning this year, three scholarships will be awarded annually. Davis hopes the fund may support more per year in the future.

Jeremy’s Fund was endowed by Chuck and Sara Davis in memory of Jeremy Warren Vann, a graduate of the College who aspired to teach disadvantaged Native American students. Jeremy’s life was cut short by a car accident before he could fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher.

Gala ticket prices are $750 to $1,000 for tables of six to eight. Individual tickets are $100 per person; tickets for College faculty and staff are available at half price. To purchase gala tickets, visit the gala website at [http://www.jeremysgala.org/purchase-tickets.html].

For more information about The Jeremy Warren Vann Memorial Scholarship, visit the College’s Scholarships and Fellowships website. [http://ehhp.cofc.edu/scholarships/].