Leadership Gilroy’s Class of 2005 is bringing music to Mt.
Madonna Continuation High School with a classic car show and
concert fundraiser at Bonfante Gardens in August.
Gilroy – Leadership Gilroy’s Class of 2005 is bringing music to Mt. Madonna Continuation High School with a classic car show and concert fundraiser at Bonfante Gardens in August.
Leadership Gilroy started in 1998 with residents completing the curriculum each year. This year’s class of 20 includes a police officer, a school principal and a shop owner among others, who meet once a month for a lecture on a different facet of the Gilroy.
“It’s an amazing program because we get to know our community from all aspects,” said class member Sue Thurman, who owns Country Clutter at the Gilroy Outlets. “Not just from government or business.”
The group hears lectures and talks on health, learns how police and fire departments work and visits volunteer organizations in town. But in exchange for learning the ins and outs of being a community leader, each class must complete a project that will have a lasting impact on the Gilroy community.
With former Mt. Madonna high school principal John Perales as a classmate, the continuation high school became the focus of this year’s project.
Mt. Madonna is an alternative school for at-risk students and is one of only 11 of 500 schools in the state to be considered a California Model Continuation High School.
The leadership class was able to gain access to students and educators to find out what they felt would improve the school even more.
“When we spoke with them as a class, as proud as they are, they don’t have a music program,” Thurman said. “One thing we heard universally is that they miss it.”
The class did some research on the benefits of music programs for students and found that participating in music classes improves math, science and language arts skills as well as test scores.
Since January, the group has been brainstorming about a way to raise funds to hire a music instructor and purchase instruments for the school.
After tossing out the idea of a charity golf tournament, the group settled on a classic car show, dinner and a concert.
The event will take place Aug. 20 at Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park. Dubbed “Endless Summer Nights,” the event will bring the sounds of the ’60s to guests in the form of hot rod engines and the musical talent of the band “Endless Summer.” Led by former Beach Boy Al Jardine, the concert will please fans of oldies music and the mellow tunes the band was known for.
Applications are still being accepted for the classic car show and there are still plenty of tickets for sale for the event. After viewing classic cars and hot rods, guest are invited to a dinner with the concert following. A dance contest and a hula hoop contest will keep guests hopping throughout the evening.
“The kids are so grateful. At graduation, when John [Perales] mentioned not to forget we are having this in August, all the kids applauded,” Thurman said. “There is a need for this in that school. I hope we can give them the best we can.”
Classic cars and music
Who:
Leadership Gilroy Class of 2005
What:
Endless Summer Nights
Where:
Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park – The “Cove” picnic grounds
When:
Saturday, Aug. 20, 5 pm – 10 pm
Why:
A fundraiser to start a music program at Mt. Madonna Continuation High School
Tickets are $40 or 2 for $75. Details: Sue Thurman at 607-0701.
Applications will be accepted until the week before the show. Details: Martha Bell at 846-1484.
Two packages are available for car owners.
Package A: $35
Participants receive:
-1 T-shirt
-1 framed certificate of participation
-1 Bonfante Park Ticket
-1 Dinner
Package B: $55
Participants receive:
-1 T-shirt
-1 framed certificate of participation
-1 Bonfante Park Ticket
-1 Dinner
– Concert
