LAPS Foundation Says THANK YOU For ‘Taste Of Knowledge’ Fundraiser Record-Breaking Success

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on September 19, 2019
- 2:49 pm

Gathered at the LAPSF ‘An Evening in Paris’ fundraiser from left, LANL Director Thom Mason, his wife Jennifer, Barbara and Andy Phelps, Matt McKinley, his wife LAPSF Board President Melanie McKinley, LAPSF oard member Stephanie Archuleta and Jennifer Payne. Photo by Leslie Bucklin

Pig + Fig Café Executive Chef Laura Crucet oversees the main course at the LAPSF a ‘Taste Of Knowledge’ fundraiser. Photo by Leslie Bucklin

LAPSF News:

Members of the community turned out Aug. 25, to generously support education at the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation’s annual fundraiser, a “Taste Of Knowledge”. The event was a great success and raised a record-breaking $50,000 for Los Alamos Public Schools. Of the total raised, almost $30,000 was given during the paddle raise and through online donations from a number of extremely generous individuals.

This year there were two seatings: An Afternoon in Provence and An Evening in Paris. Both featured French food and wine pairings, silent and live auctions, all in the relaxed setting of the Pig + Fig Café. For the third year in a row, the event sold out.

The LAPS Foundation would like to sincerely thank everyone who made Taste of Knowledge such a great success again this year.

Laura Crucet and her team at Pig + Fig went above and beyond to plan, prepare and serve two incredible menus, each featuring five French dishes.

Karen Easton worked with Kokoman Fine Wine & Liquor to pick the French wines that perfectly paired with the food. Easton also donated her time to serve at the event, along with other volunteer servers Beth Bathrick, Beth Bouman, Jean Harris and Jennifer Harris.

Jill Cook very graciously agreed to act as auctioneer again this year, facilitating lively auctions at both events.

LAHS instructor Becca Jones arranged for culinary students to once again help Pig +Fig to prepare the food. The students were Tiana Lopez and Haley Adams-Brown.

In addition, a number of LAHS student volunteers, including several members of the Key Club, volunteered many hours to help with setting up, managing the auction, serving food and cleaning up. The student volunteers were Christina Nisoli, Shena Han, Melisa Varol, Audrey Nolen, Andrew Watson, Max Corliss, Andy Corliss and LAPS Foundation student board members Isaac Ronning and Victoria Nisoli.

Members of the LAHS Jazz Project, headed by LAMS Band Director Ryan Finn, charmed the audience with live music. They were Addie Richie, Evs Alexander, Kevin Bojorquez, Alexander Waters, Beth Short and Jackson Bell.

Many businesses and individuals generously contributed to the auction:

Albuquerque Isotopes;
Blue Window Bistro;
Bob’s Bodacious BBQ;
Century Bank;
China Moon;
Chris and Helen Ortega;
Classic Air Medical;
Don Taylor’s Photography;
EXIT Realty Advantage;
Extended Play Photography;
Float Los Alamos;
Hal Davis;
Hilltop Spa;
Jill Cook;
Julie Goen;
LA Canvas Events;
Los Alamos Daily Post;
Los Alamos Fire Department;
LAHS Prostart;
Lance Eaton;
LAPS Athletics;
Los Alamos Concert Association;
New Mexico United;
Origami;
Papa Murphy’s;
PEEC;
Petree Garden Center & Florist;
Pig + Fig Café;
Reel Deal Theater;
Renee Mitsunaga;
Richard Swenson;
Ruby K’s;
Ruby Magdalena Vineyards;
Ryan Finn Quartet;
Sandia Peak Tramway;
Shelley Clark;
Suzy Kroesche;
Thom Mason;
Tom Hill;
Vintage Hair Co.;
Viola’s;
Windgate Healing Arts; and
Zia Credit Union.

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is an independent organization that invests in a successful future for all Los Alamos public school students. Since its inception in 2005, the LAPS Foundation has raised more than $1 million for Los Alamos public schools. The Foundation raises money through generous contributions from individuals and organizations who share the Foundation’s core values. To learn more about the LAPS Foundation and how to get involved and/or make a donation, visit lapsfoundation.com or call 505.500.6501.