Colorful Crowd Raises Nearly Half a Mil to Encourage At-Risk Students to 'Stay in School'

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS hosted its annual gala at The Post Oak Hotel, where nearly 500 supporters of the nonprofit gathered to raise funds for initiatives to empower at-risk students.

Chairs Whitney and Marc Lawson and Lexi and Mike Marek planned a vibrant celebration with a rainbow color scheme; many of the attendees wore gowns in the ROYGBIV color families — some in Astros orange and blue as a nod to Opening Day.

The evening's program, led by Lisa Malosky, featured a video celebrating a decade of the CIS Mental Health Initiative, and a plan of action for Mackenzie Scott's $13 million donation made in 2022. There were also emotional testimonies given by current and former CIS students who have been positively impacted by the organization over the years.

Following a surf-and-turf dinner and tasty creme brûlée dessert, the Spazmatics helped get everyone on their feet with '80s party hits. In all, the Stay in School gala raised $425,000, which will benefit more than 170,000 students at 173 schools in the Houston area.

Amu Lal, Mariela Mejias de Perez and Analesa Schleicher

The Spazmatics

Carina and Brooks Antweil

Christina McAllen and Kathryn Swain

Shubhra Endley with Kapil and Sheela Mathur

Brooke Malone and Mike Veloano

Laura Hill and Sarrah Petersen

Don Friedell and Lisa Malosky

Holly Alvis and Valerie Dieterich

Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin

CIS Student Support Manager Martha Montoya Sanchez with Northbrook High School students

Ashley Seals and Justin Flynn

Whitney Lawson with Husein and Rosy Hadi

Kori and Cody Biller