Virtually Epic Spring Gala on May 30-text epicevening to 76278
Oh, what night! Our 2020 Spring Gala was one for the books in more ways than one as we reinvented our event to transition virtual platform and yet raised a record amount for financial aid, teacher appreciation and programs–one of our most successful events ever!
Our hearts are filled with gratitude to all who help present–and all who enjoyed–our Virtually Epic Evening.

Click on the photo to enjoy an encore performance and experience the excitement and fun of your gala all over again.
Behind the resounding success of the gala is the hard work, creativity, professionalism and commitment to our mission by some amazing staff, parents and board members, performers and musicians, technical experts and community friends.
Please join us in thanking:
- Virtual entertainers: Ron Sowell; Alasha Al-Qudwah, Dr. Ray Singleton and Grant Jacobs/Minor Swing; Sonji Byers Baldwin; Mira and Chuck Costa/The Sea The Sea
- Jim Strawn, event host
- DJ Mark Davis/Vinyl Village
- Chris Galaska, virtual event producer
- Abbey Fiorelli/Digital Relativity, invitation design
- Mark Wolfe, mask design
- MMS students and teachers
- Gala committee: Sarah Bailey, Jennifer Carriger, Clifton Clark, Katie Clark, Mary Claire Davis, Marilee Hanneman, Erica Hoffman, Brad Holliday, Hollie Hubbert, Jennifer Preston and JoEllen Zacks
Download the gala program Virtually epic program
Enjoy these highlights of your Virtually Epic Evening:
May 30, 2020 event update:
The big day has arrived!
Here are a few important updates:
- The MMS Virtually Epic Gala will be broadcast in a webinar format on Zoom and live steamed on the school’s main Facebook page– Mountaineer Montessori School–starting at 7:00 pm, Saturday, May 30. Link information: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84988697166?pwd=YkMyQU9CRWxXRG1jMEpxbTR6b0hKUT09Password: MMSGala20
- Due to the format of this professional production, guests will not be able to interact during via Zoom. We are encouraging guests to follow the event on Facebook and comment and post photos in the comments with the tag #virtuallyepic. No special password is required to participate on FB.
- The Epic auction will close at 9:00 p.m. Text epicevening to 76278 or visit the
- event platform to bid.
- Get the party started by making your M masks. M Mask Cut out the white space within the orange circles, attach a handle or tie strings and show your Montessori spirit!
Questions/info/login information: Mary Claire Davis, 304/395-4378 (cell-text), maryclairejohnson@gmail.com
Preview of your Virtually Epic Evening:
Enjoy this behind the scenes look at our stellar art auction:
The success of this event is made possible by our epic supporters, including our top sponsors:
Each year, MMS invites our entire school community to participate in the biggest fundraiser on the school calendar–the spring gala. When a traditional event became impossible, our committee members had their work cut out for themselves. One of the biggest concerns was whether our supporters would take part in a virtual party. We should have known better… when asked, our community always says “YES,” and this year’s Virtually Epic Evening is poised to be one of the biggest fundraisers ever.
As of this morning, Saturday, May 30, sponsorships and donations are still coming in! It’s not too late to invest in your child’s education with a tax-deductible gift. Text epicevening to 76278 or visit the event platform.
We are so grateful for the generosity of our school community, including our sponsors.
Epic Sponsor
Sarah & Ben Bailey
Bailey Glasser LLP
Inspiring Sponsor
Advantage Technology
Empowering Sponsor
Ryan & Shelley Whittington
Club K9
Inspiring Sponors
Elsie & Bill Carter
Blaire Malkin & Rob Bastress
Tiffany Lasky & Eric Olle
Pierson Technology
Robert & Il Su Spangler
Stevens Family
Awesome Sponsors
Adore Nails
Jennifer & David Carriger
Clifton & Katie Clark
Cusick-Lewis Family
Amanda Davis & James McQueen
Mary Claire & Matt Davis
Darnold & Lyons Heating and Cooling
Susana Duarte & Joseph Jenkins
Selling WV Real Estate Professionals
Magician John Slicer
WV Ortho Neuro/Carrie Frame, DPM
Ben & Meredith Thomas
JoEllen Zacks
Amazing Donors and Ticket Holders
David Baldwin & Kristin Reis
Brad & Cassie Barker
John & Emily Christian
Enybe Diaz & Brandon Merritt
Lori Dubrawka
Erik & Valerie Frontz
Emma & Theron Gibbs
Brad & Anna Holliday
John & Michelle Hussell
Diana Jacobs
Patricia Johnston
Aaron & Jennifer Preston
Jack Rogers & Elizabeth Scharman
Virginia Singleton
Erica Smith-Woods
Stacy & Eric Snyder
Ron Sowell
Ami Smith Spangler
Melissa & Nick Stuchell
Jennifer & Brian Tucker
Maria & Michael Young
MOUNTAINEER MONTESSORI GALA CELEBRATES COSMIC EDUCATION
What if there were no limits to what you could learn?
That’s what every day is like at Mountaineer Montessori!
Our out-of-the-box, out-of-the-classroom approach to education empowers the unlimited potential in each child and creates an inspired future for our students, community and world.
We’re taking this same creative, out-of-the-box approach to our annual spring fundraiser, which was rescheduled due to public health concerns.
VIRTUALLY EPIC, the 2020 MMS Annual Spring Gala, will now be held online on Saturday, May 30, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
The re-invented event is being announced today, May 5 —#GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity which was created as response to needs arising from COVID-19.
Now more than ever, we need to celebrate our remarkable school community and do our best to sustain our 43-year tradition of excellence and innovation in education.
We invite everyone to join us to:
- Celebrate epic education
- Applaud MMS programs and faculty
- Bid on amazing class art projects created by your child and an extensive array of exciting prizes donated by local businesses and our families–online bidding will be available for art projects and silent auction items starting May 15.
- Vie online for “Only at MMS” signature experiences and prizes, including the ever-popular “Director for a Day” and having your child be the voice of MMS for a year through our voice mail system.
- Get a move on with all-ages dance music from Mark Davis/DJ Vinyl Village
Enjoy special performances by Alasha Al-Qudwah and Sonji Byers Baldwin - Mingle virtually with friends old and new
- Lift up the next generation of community builders, innovators, entrepreneurial thinkers, problem solvers and creators
- Featuring host James W. Strawn
Text epicevening to 76278 for more information or visit our givesmart event platform for more information.
The need is real and the need is NOW
We all want to return to the same amazing school in August and your support will make that possible . Sponsors will receive the benefits as before, with the in-person food and beverages to come at a special thank you reception planned at a future date.
Every individual or family who makes a minimum $50 ticket purchase or donation will receive a specially curated at-home party package, which will be hand delivered to your door by a gala committee member!
If you previously purchased a gala ticket or sponsorship and have questions, please contact Mary Claire Davis: maryclairejohnson@gmail.com
Epic Evening Sponsorship_RSVP Confirmation
Y’all come!
While the fundraising is critical, equally important is to bring our entire community together at this time.
ALL MMS families and community friends are invited to participate in this VIRTUALLY EPIC event on May 30 at no charge. . You’ll see familiar faces as we dance together, laugh together and celebrate everything that makes our school so special.
Zoom link information will be available prior to the event. Please watch your email and social media for updates, announcements and information on how you and your children can take part in its success. We’re in this together!
Clean out, give back
Although we have collected many amazing donations, items are still needed for the online auction . Can you donate a gift certificate for a future specialty home cooked dinner or spectacular baked item? Share your craft, piece of art or home made item? Teach a skill or facilitate an experience for another family? Re-gift a new item that is nice, but is no longer needed? Contribute a high-quality vintage item that our families would like?
We will gladly accept your tax-deductible donation. Contact Mary Claire Davis maryclairejohnson@gmail.com for details or enter the information and a photo directly on our event platform through the “Donate Item” on the landing page.
Text epicevening to 76278 for more information or visit our givesmart event platform for more information.