A Fundraising Auction and Gala Benefiting Admiral Farragut Academy
Held in DeSeta Hall | 501 Park Street North, St. Petersburg, FL USA 33710
(727) 384-5501 | www.farragut.org/RFTS | Cocktail Attire | Ages 21+
A Night to Remember: “Reach for the Stars” will be an incredible evening out and includes complimentary valet, heavy hors-d’oeuvres, dessert, open bar, silent and live auctions, and performances by Michael Israel, a world-renowned American artist, entertainer, speaker, and humanitarian famous for “Speed Painting” performances and inspiring compassion and support for many charities. Michael was born in 1960 in New York and began painting at age 2. His childhood was split between a nomadic life traveling across America with his father and an aquatic life aboard a houseboat with his sea captain mother. By age 6 he was obsessed with martial arts and became a national black belt champion by 17; he credits martial arts training for his super-fast painting. He has shared the limelight with celebrities, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and world leaders like painting at prestigious venues including Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, the Olympic Medals stage in Salt Lake with Brooks & Dunn, the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting with Warren Buffett, and presidential events in Washington, DC.
Individual event tickets are being sold for $150 & sponsorship levels range from $2,500 to $10,000 which include tickets and a list of benefits such as a private cocktail reception with actor George Hamilton, astronaut Nicole Stott, and performing artist Michael Israel. Donations are also being accepted to be used in the silent and live auction. Admiral Farragut Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.
A Cause Worth Supporting:
Admiral Farragut Academy is a college-prep, private school which serves girls and boys in PreK-12th grade and is located on Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg. The school provides a college preparatory environment that promotes academic excellence, leadership skills, and social development within a diverse community of young men and women. With two graduates who have walked on the moon (Alan Shepard, Class of ‘41 and Charlie Duke, Class of ‘53) and course offerings from scuba to aviation, Farragut is proud to offer students the opportunity to quite literally — reach for the stars.
Since 1933, Farragut has been known worldwide for its boarding program and naval science military structure which starts in 8th grade. As a diverse community with students coming from 30 countries, 17 U.S. states, and various cultural backgrounds, Farragut provides financial assistance for deserving and qualified families. By attending and supporting this event, you are making a direct impact on the students’ Farragut experience!
A Sneak Peek to a New Event Space:
The event will be held in Farragut’s state-of-the-art, multi-use performing arts building named DeSeta Hall and will serve as a sneak peek until the grand opening in October 2019. This appealing and attractive space is the newest building on the Admiral Farragut Academy campus and is the result of a three-year capital campaign.
It includes a large 500-seat auditorium with retractable seating, catering prep room, large plaza area and lobby, visual and performing arts classrooms, and administrative offices. DeSeta Hall will bolster the academic and communal experience for the entire Farragut community. The design highlights the school’s proud heritage, employing a traditional architectural style in a manner that respects and reflects Farragut Hall’s distinctive appearance and historic charm. Not only will this beautiful space be used for school events, but is available for rent by the community for large meetings, lectures, performances, weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, anniversaries, and more. For more information about booking DeSeta Hall for an event, contact John Buggle at 727-565-5299 or jbuggle@farragut.org
Naming opportunities in connection with the opening of DeSeta Hall range from $25,000 to $500,000. To make a financial contribution, contact Chief Development Officer Tony Sloan at 727-384-5500 Ext 278 or email tsloan@farragut.org.
Our Personal Connection with Admiral Farragut Academy:
When Renee and I discovered the school in 1986, it was a military- oriented boys school with a strong connection to the Navy. The St. Pete location was then the second campus for Farragut with the original campus in Toms River, New Jersey.
The new location was an impressive historic site, which was previously the Jungle Country Club & Hotel built by Walter Fuller with reputed connections to Al Capone.
We enrolled our only child Jordan there as a boarding student in his high school freshman year while we lived in Brandon, on the other side of Tampa. The next summer we moved to St. Pete Beach so Jordan could continue as a day student. It was a fine school then and it has come a long way since.
By the time Jordan graduated in 1990, there were a handful of girls in his graduating class, and females now make up a significant part of the student body. The faculty focus on developing the whole child and are involved in each student’s life in and out of class. Students are local and international with ESL classes offered to non-English speakers. Farragut also offers a variety of clubs, 14 competitive sports, sailing, weekend trips, and other extracurricular activities. The St. Petersburg location took center stage around the turn of the millennium when the New Jersey campus closed.
This event and these enhancement projects demonstrate Farragut’s continued commitment to being at the forefront of leadership and innovation. Individually, each project will amplify the educational and recreational opportunities for the students of Farragut.
Other Upcoming Events:
- Open Houses in April – Learn more at www.farragut.org/open-house
- Lower School Open House – Pre-K (age 3) to 7th grade students on Thursday, April 4 at 8:30 am.
- Upper School Open House – 8th to 12th grade students is Sunday, April 18 at 9:30 am.
- Summer Camps for Pre-K to 12th grade students all of June-July. Visit www.farragut.org/summer.