The Gala: Ancona's Biggest Party of the Year

Thank you for a wonderful evening!

On March 14, 2026, we celebrated the season of renewal: a magical night when the celestial bodies perfectly align. At Ancona's largest annual celebration, we honored long-time Ancona faculty members Marsha Stewart and Yolita Ray, and raised essential funds to advance our commitment to equity and inclusion.

Thank you to everyone who supported this year's gala: we couldn't do it without you. Until next year!

With Immense Gratitude

To our wonderful, hardworking Gala Committee, led by Linda Chavez and Naomi Tesfamikael (Co-Chairs), Lucila Espedido and Nanette Harris (Honorary Co-Chairs), and Maria Luna-Duarte (Advisory Co-Chair): Hannah Adegoke, Genesis Bencivenga, Megan Calhoun, Cindy Flemming, Natasha Fletcher, Fallon Goodrich, Leah Hope, Martha Itulya-Omollo, Arianna Jamerson, Aremu Mbande, Darilyn McClain, Christina Walker, Leslie Browne, Angie Martinez 

To our amazing and generous Gala Sponsors: Gustavo Bamberger & Martha Van Haitsma, Austin Bartlett & Emily A. Chen, Todd Connor & Andrew Tourney, The Dodson Family & Weusi, Haven Dental Studio, Cari & Sims Hulings, Meliora Real Estate Group LLC, Susan Rogers & Richard Stephenson, Joshua Schwartz
Thank You to our Auction and Raffle Donors
Ancona's First and Second Grade Class
Ancona's 3rd and 4th Grade Class
Ancona's 5th and 6th Grade Class
Ancona's 7th and 8th Grade Class
57th Street Wines
7/10 Social
The Adegoke Family
AKM Photography
Beth Albrecht
Altitude Trampoline Park
Ancona School
Ancona Summer
Blue Lotus School of Yoga
The Bochnovic Family
Brightview Landscape Development Inc.
Bronzeville Winery
Leslie Browne
Chicago Architectural Center
Chicago Fire FC
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Court Theater
Cecilia Cuff
D5 Design
Earthlore Farm
Lucila Espedido
First Aid Comics
The Fleming Family
Julie Furigay
2026 Gala Committee
Katie Grogan
Levatino Harris
Leah Hope
Hyatt Place Hyde Park
Joffrey Ballet
Kenwood School of Dance
Kikwetu Coffee, Co
Lyric Opera
Mathnasium
Medici on 57th
Merz Apothecary
Lloyd Moss
James Nurss
Laura Ocampo
The Omollo Family
AJ Poremskis
Raise Away
The Rivadeneyra Chavez Family
Roux
Shedd Aquarium
Steve Sobel
The Students of Room 103
The Students of Room 110
The Students of Room 111
Soul Veg City
Alysia Tate
The Turner Family
University of Chicago Presents
Chris Weber
Delia West
Wines for Humanity
4770 S Dorchester Ave Chicago, IL, 60615
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      Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools

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      National Association of Independent Schools

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