SAAS Community Raises $1M for
Financial Aid Programs

Watch the 2022 Cardinal Choir Performance at SAAS in the City

A sense of community was at the forefront of last week's sold out SAAS in the City event, our biggest fundraising event of the year! Over 470 community members joined us this year, including over 100 student performers and 11 alumni appearances. Together we raised over $1,000,000 (and counting!) for financial aid to ensure access and inclusion for all students regardless of socioeconomic background. The average financial aid grant is $30,000, which means thanks to our collective efforts we were able to raise enough for 30+ students who may rely on financial assistance next year.  

SAAS culture is forged through active participation, performance, and a sense of the world at large. Because of this, we believe our programs, trips, and extracurriculars should be accessible to all of our students. We see our students thrive when they have access to the diverse experiences we have to offer, which in turn enriches the learning experience for everyone. 

The current number of students receiving aid for tuition this school year is 255, which is about 25% of our total population. We have awarded $7.5 million in grants this school year to families in need. “Financial aid covers the gambit of the whole experience here. And so by having financial aid we’re ensuring that students can participate fully in the life of the school,” says Lori Metcalf, Chief Outreach and Enrollment Officer. 

The event kicked off with a pre-party in Fremont Studio’s adjacent parking lot, with food trucks, New Orleans-themed fare from Kaspars Catering, Tinte Cellars wine and music from our own SAAS Music Production students. Then, the SAAS Drumline led guests inside for the main event after a two-year (almost exactly to the date) hiatus of an in-person SAAS in the City. Meanwhile, the SAAS Alumni Association hosted a viewing party nearby with several dozen alumni gathered for food and drink. 

Many thanks to our host Fred Northup, Jr., alumnus stage manager Noah Sarkowsky ’17, and student emcees Emma Daniels ’27 and Riley Cantu ’24. Throughout the evening they introduced Jazz Choir I & II, Advanced Dance, Jazz Ensemble I & II, Dance Project, alumni speakers, and speeches. The night also featured student group Particle Boy and the Cardinal Choir, which is composed of alumni, upper school and middle school singers. 

The success of SAAS in the City is a direct result of the tremendous effort and countless hours put in by volunteers, student performers, and faculty and staff. Thank you to event co-chairs Megan Bergerson (Max ’23) and Deena McCloskey (McKenzie ’23).

We’re also grateful to our raffle donors Andy and Mary Lytle and Laura Glass, and all of our SAAS in the City sponsors who helped underwrite the event. 

Thank you to the community for making this special evening an amazing success and ensuring access and inclusion for all of our students. Save the date for next year’s SAAS in the City, set for Saturday, March 25, 2023!
 

View the 2022 SAAS in the City Photo Gallery

Watch the Full Program Here

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Thank you to our SAAS in the City Volunteers

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Megan Bergerson, Chair

Deena McCloskey, Chair

Adrian Cunard	Patrick Gerding	Charlotte Wagy Simmonds
Elle Elliott	Stephanie Gerding	Mary Snodgrass
Eileen Faucher	Robin Mendelson	Rebecca Streeter
Evette Gee	Danna Redmond	Erica Tiedemann
Sabra Gee-Smith	Deneen Shank	Bill Way