Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/96436
Latin Celebrates Auction 2011 up front More than 850 parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends attended Latin���s biennial Auction event at the Fairmont Chicago hotel on March 5. In addition to raising more than $1 million in support of Latin���s academic, arts, athletics and financial aid programs, it was our best-attended Auction ever ��� by more than 100 people. Alumni in particular showed their school spirit and came out in numbers for the big night. Inspired by the Audrey Hepburn movie classic Roman Holiday, event co-chairs and Latin parents Suzette Gilchrist, Joan Hannant and Linda Lisco made every guest feel like a movie star by infusing the night with glamorous touches, including a red carpet complete with student ���paparazzi.��� Guests spent the first part of the evening browsing 600-plus silent Auction items, which included a custom-designed iPhone app, a Masters Tournament package, dinner at Ditka���s with Mike Ditka and the ever-popular student and faculty projects. And although the theme was decidedly 1950s Rome, there was nothing retro about the new electronic bidding tablets. The eBay-inspired system allowed guests to enter a maximum bid for each item and then would automatically increase the bids as necessary. Since there was no need to hover over a bid sheet, there was a lot more time for visiting with friends! Latin alum T.J. Shanoff ���92, who is wellknown for his work at The Second City, acted as emcee for the dinner program and even warmed up the crowd with an original song Guests enjoy Auction 2011. 8 Latin Magazine about Latin. He then turned things over to auctioneer Matt Goebel, who commenced the bidding on 12 amazing live auction items. This year, guests bid on items such as a blimp ride, a Super Bowl 2012 package and an eight-night vacation in Rome, as well as the sought-after Latin overnighters. The volunteer effort that goes into such a successful event is perhaps the most remarkable element of Auction. More than 300 parents, faculty, staff and students contributed in countless ways and for countless hours to help make Roman Holiday as wonderful as it was. That collective commitment is evidence of the strength of the Latin community and our special place in the lives of so many. Thank you to all those who made Auction 2011 a night to remember.