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2024 Stars Over TMI
Celebrating 130 Years of Legacy, Tradition & Momentum
Presented By
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What an incredible night! On Friday, April 5, 2024, a record-breaking 520+ guests came together in support of our school’s annual Stars Over TMI gala and auction, helping to raise close to $473,000 for our school.
Over $308,000 of the proceeds from Stars Over TMI, our school’s largest fundraising event, benefits our annual giving program that supports academics and student activities, professional development, technology, safety & security, campus beautification, classroom improvements, and more. In addition, $164,156 of the total amount raised will be used toward TMI’s first-ever Confidence Course, which includes a low ropes course and a rappel tower, that will positively impact multiple team building opportunities and aspects at TMI - The Corps of Cadets, Summer at TMI, New Student Orientation, Residential Life, Athletics, and Academic class workshops. Our heartfelt thanks goes to Christina and Will Steele for making a $75,000 matching gift toward this important project.
Upon arrival, guests at the event received complimentary valet, sponsored by Thompson Law LLP, and were escorted by members of the Texas Military Institute Corps of Cadets into the luxurious La Cantera Ballroom at the La Cantera Resort & Spa, a beautiful space overlooking the La Cantera golf course. As guests mixed and mingled during the cocktail hour, beautiful décor that was made possible through the generosity of the event’s Decor Underwriting Sponsors, Drs. Tahira and Patrice Alves, set the mood for a fun evening. Beverage stations, a selfie photo booth, and auction displays, including a 130’ LED display sponsored by Data Projections, Inc., highlighting this year’s incredible class experience packages, Super Silent Auction items and live auction packages, adorned the cocktail area.
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Back by popular demand, Stars Over TMI featured a Mystery Grab Bag game sponsored by Ollabelle Hall for guests to participate in during cocktail hour. With this game, guests purchased a chance to win a prize of great value. It is up to the guest to try to pick the right bag by selecting a beautiful, monogrammed TMI canvas tote bag, donated by Land's End, and receiving a gift enclosed. While every bag included a bottle of spirits, and TMI swag sponsored by Swag Your Brand and TMI Parents Erin and Preston Hall, each bag was filled with an assortment of prizes inside ranging in value from low to higher-priced items, that included jewelry donated by Vanessa Swarovski, coffee bags from Scooter's Coffee in Boerne, an Apple watch, Airpods, gift cards and other great items thanks to the generosity of Judy Barrera, Deborah Coleman, Deborah Mayes-Saenz, Katherine Menkemeller, Xochitl Spearman, Alexis Clanton, Chrissy Steele, Matte, Laurie Saunders Antiques & Interiors and Twin Liquors in Boerne.
Attendees of this year's event represented members of the entire community, including parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends of TMI. Alumni who were in attendance included: Robert Buchanan ‘59, Don Elliott ’63, Ted Wu '63, Rob Eversberg ‘63, Robert Liddell ‘63, John Hutchens '81, Amanda Kuyrkendall ‘93, Cori Kurth ‘93, Greg Striker '93, David Kaliski '94, Ed Benson ‘96, James Willmann '96, Lee Howell ‘98, Ryan Kohnen ‘98, David Perry ‘98, Paige Martin ‘02, Brandee Glass ‘03, Chris Rodie ’03, Patrick Brawley ‘03, Darren Kuyrkendall ‘03, Justin Sanderson '05, Alexis Elliott Stabler ’06, and Sonali Patel ‘11.
The dinner and program opened with the presentation of colors by the Color Guard from the TMI Corps of Cadets; TMI Senior Niya Omiridis '24 sang the national anthem. Special remarks were given by Dr. Jasmine B. Harris, TMI Head of School; TMI Parent and Title Sponsor, Gina Hughes with MAKERS Wealth Management; and Father Scott J. Brown, TMI President.
The program, emceed by retired Army Major Joseph Claburn, Commandant of Cadets, and The Rev. Dr. Benjamin H. Nelson, TMI Chaplain, continued with a fun game of TMI trivia, exciting live and fund-a-need auctions led by TMI alumnus and auctioneer James Willmann ‘96, and a raffle sponsored by Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. Congratulations to the Early Bird Raffle winner, Kim Asel, and Grand Prize winner, Raul and Sonya Santascoy. Special thanks to the generosity of other underwriting sponsors who helped make the event such a memorable experience for guests include our event Party Favor Sponsor - Christina & Will Steele; Photography Sponsor - Molly & Alex Miller and Austin Miller ‘17; Program Sponsor - Knight Office Solutions; Live Auction Card Sponsor - St. George Episcopal School; and Bar Sponsor - TMI Parents of Alumni.
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The program ended as guests danced the night away to live entertainment from Finding Friday, sponsored by Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse, a polished, high-energy cover band based out of San Antonio, playing hits from the 70s–today.
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Thank you to this year's event chairs and TMI parents, Alexis and David Clanton and Stephanie and Frederic Steunou, and the entire Stars Over TMI Committee for their countless hours, hard work, and dedication in making this year’s gala an unforgettable night. Because of our amazing volunteers and generous supporters, the event was a HUGE success.
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