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More than 300 guests -- all clad in their western best
attended a boot-stompin’ bonanza to benefit Oxbridge Academy
on Feb. 6 at the Palm Beach home of school founders, Bridget
and Bill Koch. Themed
The New Frontier of Education, the evening featured dinner,
square dancing, music by Roger Helton of Dolly Parton’s
Family Band, and so much more. Bridget
Koch, Darlene Jordan, Karin Luter and Christina
O'Donnell were
co-chairs of the event, which raised an impressive $4
million to support the independent secondary school’s
exceptional academic, athletic and fine arts programs.
The Old West-inspired theme was imaginatively
carried through all aspects of the event by designer, Bruce
Sutka. Highlights included Bill Koch being ‘arrested’ for
his excessive generosity to Oxbridge Academy and sent to
cool his heels in an authentic mobile jail. David Koch
sprung his twin brother from jail with bail set at $100,000.
Also detained in the increasingly crowded jail wagon were
Oxbridge President and CEO, Bob Parsons; Football Coach Doug
Socha; and Athletic Director Craig Sponsky. They were held
until generous guests bailed them out.
Thomas
Quick led
the live auction of naming opportunities for programs and
features on the school campus. The William H. Pitt
Foundation secured the naming rights in advance to the
Oxbridge Academy stadium for $2.2 million. At the gala, Janet
and JJ
Cafaro were
the highest bidders for the Institute for Aviation program
at $50,000. Other top bidders included Lesly
Smith who
underwrote the black box theater, Thomas
Peterffy who
funded the iCommons, and Eileen and Brian
Burns who
supported the visual arts wing. Suzanne
and Lawrence
F. De George showed
their support with the gift of a Times Square-like
scoreboard for the athletic field.
In addition to the chairs, notable guests
included Danielle Hickox Moore; Lesly Smith; Judith
Giuliani; Janet and JJ Cafaro; David Koch; Don Burns; Amin
Khoury; June and Tim Rooney; Patti and Patrick Rooney, Jr.;
Bob Wetenhall; Suzanne and Lawrence F. De George; Hilary and
Wilbur Ross; school board member Richard Callahan and his
wife, Cynthia; school board member Bob Simses and his wife,
Mary; and school board member Bob Kaufman and his wife,
Ellen.
Oxbridge Academy was founded in 2011 by
energy magnate and philanthropist William I. Koch. The
independent secondary school’s mission is to inspire wisdom
through learning in an environment that fosters inquiry,
collaboration, innovation, and personal discovery. At
Oxbridge, students fall in love with learning through
engagement in academic and community-based projects that
speak to their talents and interests, and spark their
curiosity and passion. The 56-acre campus features
classrooms equipped with advanced technologies; creative art
spaces; advanced laboratories; a university-modeled
“information commons;” a fully equipped digital media
center; a 400-seat performance center and auditorium; visual
arts and dance studios; gymnasium; and a 4,500-square foot,
cutting-edge fitness center and weight room. School grounds
include six lighted tennis courts; a swimming pool; lighted
outdoor playing fields; and a stadium with artificial turf
for football, soccer and lacrosse. Oxbridge Academy is
located at 3151 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL,
33409. For more information, visit www.oapb.org
or call 561-972-9600.
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