Jesuit’s annual Celebration Auction & Gala, presented by Goote Construction, was a resounding success at The Cannery. The event, with its enjoyable beatles theme “Blue Jay Beatlemania,” attracted hundreds of school supporters, parents, faculty, and alumni.

The decor was matched by the lively musical offerings of The Walrus as guests arrived and surveyed the auction items and raffles. Vinyl records and peace signs decorated the tables and walls while a Strawberry Fields dessert room pulled guest in with its sweet smells.

The delicious spread of food featured crowd-favorites crawfish mac ‘n cheese as well as time-honored New Orleans delicacies such as shrimp and grits and bananas foster.

Sara Gootee and Colleen Peterman, served as Celebration event chairs, Rachel Mollere, Jenn Serio and Kelly Uddo served as auction chairs. Special thanks go out to all who served as committee chairs and committee members, without whom the event would not have been possible. Decorations were coordinated by Carrey Britsch, Danielle Hinyub, Meg Jennings, & Danielle LeBlanc, while Sarah Ehrensing & Elizabeth Juge went above and beyond in inviting sponsorships. Food and libations were top notch thanks to committee chairs Cathy Barnett, Leanne Durham, Amy Lawler, Rolanda Martinez, Erin Mouledoux, Golda Hartman, and Gabby Thompson.

Silent auctions and raffles featured a spectacular array of prizes. This year, bidders got a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind commissioned Becky Fos artwork “Through the Eyes of a Blue Jay” canvas and lithographs. Exciting raffle opportunities contributed to the event’s success, including a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card raffle, a “Mid-City” raffle, a “I Want to Hold Your Hand in Mid-City” raffle, a “Come Together on Freret” raffle, and the Ippolita “Rock Candy” earrings raffle. Raffles & sales were a success thanks to the diligent efforts of committee chairs Cherie Albro, Kristin LaGraize, and Christine Maristany.