Guests Hit Red Carpet to Raise Funds for Preuss School

By Pat Jacoby I November 7, 2005

Among the 21 members of the Preuss School Choir who performed at the Classic Cars for Classic Kids benefit was this group of talented students directed by Daren Thorn. Photos by Dennis Way

Twenty-one enthusiastic members of the Preuss School Choir figuratively raised the roof of the Evans Garage and electrified some 300 guests as they performed hit Broadway numbers during the third annual "Classic Cars for Classic Kids" benefit for the school Oct. 28.

With the theme, "A Night on Broadway," the students sang and danced a rousing repertoire, including "All That Jazz" from "Chicago," "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess," "Luck Be a Lady" from "Guys and Dolls," "Seasons of Love" from "Rent" and "For Good" from "Wicked." They were directed by the Preuss School's Darren Thorn, choreographed by Carlito Peralta, and vocally coached by Jackie Maraya.

Reacting with glee to the performance of Preuss School students were, from the left, UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox; Robin Nordhoff, event co-chair; Peggy Preuss, school founder, and Jim Whitesell, professor of chemistry.

The students did double duty by acting as camera-flashing paparazzi and autograph hounds as guests walked down the red carpet entrance.

The event was co-chaired by Robin and Hank Nordhoff and Fiona Tudor, and raised more than $400,000 to go to four of the school's initiatives: student transportation; math, science and engineering studies; mentoring and tutoring assistance, and visual and performing arts. The proceeds also contribute to the $1 billion fundraising goal of The Campaign for UCSD: Imagine What's Next.

Showing the passion and verve they put into five "Night on Broadway" numbers for the Preuss School benefit Oct. 28, Preuss School Choir members started off with a rendition of "All That Jazz" from "Chicago."

Greeting guests between the Broadway acts were UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox; Doris Alvarez, Preuss School principal; Cecil Lytle, Board of Directors president; Anne Evans, owner of the Evans Garage; Duane Roth, president, Preuss School Founders Circle, Chris and Pat Weil, community volunteers, and the co-chairs.

Four graduates of last year's senior class, each now attending college, spoke of what attendance at the Preuss School had meant to them. Said one: "I'm the first one in my family to go to college.and it's a really good feeling!"

Robin and Hank Nordhoff of Del Mar served as co-chairs, with Fiona Tudor, of the "Classic Cars for Classic Kids" benefit for the Preuss School. Hank Nordhoff is CEO of Gen-Probe, which recently pledged $108,000 in support of the school's science department.

The Preuss School opened in 1999 to provide an intensive college preparatory curriculum to low-income student populations and to improve educational practices in the middle and high school years. Located on the UCSD campus in a $14 million facility funded entirely by community donors, the school is now fully enrolled with 782 students in grades 6 through 12. In the graduating class of 2005, 91 percent of Preuss School students wee admitted to four-year universities, 43 percent are attending a UC campus, and 13 percent are attending prestigious private colleges.