More than 200 Orange County ladies (and a few gentlemen) gathered in December for tea at The Balboa Bay Resort, which netted more than $95,000 to support the Samueli Academy – a public charter high school in Santa Ana funded by Orangewood Foundation.
Chair of the holiday-themed tea, Lupe Erwin, brought her mother with her to the event. Academy student Violeta (Class of 2017), spoke of going from being a “ghost student” to becoming inspired enough to want to get a degree in biomedical engineering. Anthony Saba, the school’s headmaster, also addressed the gathering. Major sponsors were Catherine Sorensen; the Samueli Foundation; and Black, Starr & Frost.
Jamie Carpenter was the lucky winner in the charity drawing of a pair of Black, Starr & Frost diamond earrings valued at over $10,800. Other fine items included a vintage tea set, a Balboa Bay resort stay and brunch for two, and a Balenciaga handbag. “Our second annual tea was a great success,” said Orangewood CEO Chris Simonsen.
“We look forward to continuing this annual holiday event.”
