Dressed in black tie, 350 supporters of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation filled KIA Motors headquarters for the sixth annual Spirit of Excellence gala, which raised more than $425,000.
Following a red carpet arrival, cocktail reception and silent auction, partygoers followed the sounds of live entertainment to take their seats for the evening’s program. Tom Dumont, the No Doubt guitarist who graduated from Woodbridge High in 1986, was recognized with the Spirit of Excellence in Music award. Two other No Doubt members, Tony Kanal and Adrian Young, surprised Dumont by presenting him with the award.
In turn, Dumont presented the band Brevet, which performed at the gala, with the Rising Star Award. Justin Chen, a 2001 Irvine High School graduate, earned the Spirit of Excellence in the Arts. UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman accepted the Visionary Award for the university.
“These remarkable individuals represent the best of what Irvine schools have to offer through true world-class education,” said the foundation’s president and CEO, Neda Eaton.
FivePoint Communities was the presenting sponsor for the sixth consecutive year, and Emile Haddad and his wife, Dina, served as event chairs.