Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to share that the inaugural Fall Gala to benefit the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation was enormously successful, and the funds raised will provide immense support to the district’s teachers and students.
The inaugural Fall Gala drew 180 guests and contributions from 23 local sponsors. Funds raised from the event will support vital grant funding for experiential learning projects, specialized arts initiatives, science programs, and other impactful activities for students served by Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55. Funds from the Fall Gala will help the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation nearly double its giving impact for the next grant cycle.
The fundraiser, held on October 8 at the Century House in Acushnet, showcased the grant-funded projects made possible by the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation, as guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, drinks and live music provided by Eric Beau. Throughout the evening, attendees participated in a silent auction featuring 25 donated items, ranging from exclusive local experiences to unique hand-crafted goods.
The highlight of the evening was hearing directly from educators and students, including a group of ORR Student Ambassadors who proudly wore their ORR blazers, purchased with funds from an ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation grant.
Old Rochester Regional music teacher Richard Laprise shared that foundation grants he has received have allowed him to bring in renowned composers like Kevin Krumenauer to work with students on original works, such as the song “Celestial Sway,” performed by the school concert band in spring 2025.
“Since my very first grant back in 2018, I have been fortunate enough to receive support from TTEF totaling over $10,000,” said Laprise. “Now, $10,000 is an impressive number on paper. But in the hands of our music teachers, $10,000 isn’t just money. It is a catalyst. It is an engine for unforgettable and meaningful experiences.”
Laprise also emphasized the broader impact of community-wide investment in the arts.
“Our school district, Old Rochester Regional, has been nationally recognized for four straight years as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation,” Laprise said. “That is a prestigious honor, but it isn’t an accident. It doesn’t just happen because we have talented kids, though we certainly do. It happens because this entire community actively chooses to support and invest in music.”
Early Education Coordinator Doreen Lopes, who serves as Chairperson of the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation, expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event’s success.
“The local businesses, individual donors and volunteers made this inaugural gala such an unforgettable evening,” she said. “The end result is that students and educators will be able to have their dreams come true, allowing them to move forward with innovative, high-quality learning experiences. Thanks again to everyone who participated in the gala, providing generous contributions through the purchase of tickets, participating in silent auctions, sponsoring the event and providing vendor support.”
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson thanked everyone who supported the inaugural Fall Gala and the mission of the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation.
“We are immensely grateful to our community of educators, families, businesses and individuals who supported the tremendous work of the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation by participating in this inaugural gala,” said Superintendent Nelson. “This was an incredibly successful event that will fuel so many inspiring initiatives for our students and educators that would not be possible without this support. We look forward to this becoming an annual tradition.”