Seattle Academy’s 2025 SAAS in the City Raises $1.3M+ for Financial Aid

By: Sarah-Mae McCullough, Editorial Content Manager

Over 800 members of the Seattle Academy community gathered in the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building on Friday, April 25, for this year’s SAAS in the City celebration and financial aid fundraiser. Against the background of the downtown skyline, parents, alumni, trustees, faculty and staff, and other attendees spent the night connecting as a community, clapping along to student performances, listening to touching alumni speeches, and raising their paddles to support financial aid – ultimately raising over $1.3 million. 

At the heart of SAAS in the City 2025 was celebrating the transformative impact of a SAAS education, and making that education accessible to as many kids as possible. The funds raised are “going to change the trajectory of a kid’s life,” as Shavette McGhee, Assistant Head of School for Student Experience, told the audience. “Thank you for believing in this community. Thank you for believing in these amazing kids.” 

If you missed this year’s celebration, don’t fret. You can still support Financial Aid here and check out some of the event highlights below. 

Seeing Students Shine

Students and their work are front and center at every SAAS in the City. This year, a SAAS string quartet played during the reception as attendees got to admire paintings, sketches, ceramic pieces, and more artwork from all grade levels in the Student Art Walk. Then, they took their seats for the formal program – which included nine spectacular student performances. 

The lineup featured an original song from Intermediate Music Production students, combined middle school bands playing Pharrell Williams’ “Happy,” numbers by Jazz Band II and Jazz Choir II, and a combined hip-hop dance performance from both Middle School Dance Project and Advanced Dance. 

One act marked a special first. In the words of the event’s emcee, Seattle auctioneer Fred Northup, Jr.: “This is a historic night… for the first time ever in the history of SAAS in the City, we are combining performances!” Middle School Strings Club and Upper School Strings joined Middle School Vocal Project vocalists to perform “Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie.”

Last but definitely not least: The Cardinal Choir, which includes both alumni vocalists and current students, delivered a powerful medley of “Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" and “Ain't No Mountain High Enough.”

Outspoken Alumni

In another program highlight, five accomplished alumni, from the Managing Editor of WSJ Magazine to an aerospace engineer supporting NASA missions, shared impactful messages about their journeys at SAAS and beyond. 

Here are just a few favorite lines from their speeches. 

“Our society is not structured in a way where most people feel comfortable trying things – especially in front of other people – that they might be bad at. But for SAAS graduates, wherever they end up, this kind of safety-in-effort becomes a superpower.” – Sara Bosworth '14

 Watch Sara Bosworth's Speech Here

“SAAS taught me the power of community. I’m talking about the type of community that shows up for you, teachers who see you, friends who become family, and a school culture that challenges you to think bigger than yourself.” – Alex Scoggins '14

 Watch Alex Scoggins' Speech Here

“My time at SAAS was filled with nonstop new experiences, opportunities, and challenges. High school is such an important time in life to discover and explore new interests, and the teachers at SAAS truly go above and beyond to help students pursue their passions and realize their potential.” – Sarah Gustafson '17

 Watch Sarah Gustafson's Speech Here

“The lessons I learned at SAAS have helped me face challenges in my life and job head-on.This is especially applicable working as an aerospace engineer, where mistakes can cost billions. I truly believe that the well-rounded education SAAS provides sets its students up for success in any area of life.” – Nate Lee '15

Watch Nate Lee's Speech Here 

“That's the magic of SAAS. It's a place that helps you surprise yourself, where trying something new or even a little scary becomes second nature because of the support around you. It creates an environment of belonging. Your comfort zone expands every day as you take incremental leaps and watch your friends do the same.” – Rosalie Forman '09

Watch Rosalie Rorman's Speech Here

Mingling and More

Before the program kicked off, event-goers had plenty of time to eat, sip drinks, and catch up to the music of a SAAS string quartet. Similarly, the night closed with an epic after-party featuring dancing, dessert, and live music from the GRAMMY award-winning vocalist Judith Hill. 

SAAS in the City 2025 was an impactful and enjoyable night – thank you to our entire community for making it so successful! 

We appreciate the generous sponsors who made this event possible: Mindful Therapy Group, Aircare International, BNBuilders, Adventures by Matt, Board & Vellum, Seneca Group, Spectrum Dermatology of Seattle, A&A Limousine & Bus Service, Carbon Direct, Olson Kundig, Bench Dog Architects, Sun Valley Bronze, Bakery Louise, Crutcher Landscape Architects, and Kamila Kennedy Homes. 

Additionally, we couldn’t have produced the event without our many dedicated parent volunteers and are especially grateful to the SAAS in the City Event Co-Chairs Becky Voboril and Katrina Frank. 

Save the date for the next SAAS in the City, March 28, 2026!

 

Click here to view more SAAS in the City 2025 photos.