Thank You for Attending Gala for the Gryphons:
A Night of Glitz and Glamour ~ Honoring Traditions
We are immensely grateful to Karen Sorbo for emceeing the event and auction, Sridhatri Guntipally for sharing her talent and beautiful words, our Somali community and families for generously sponsoring the Somali Museum Dance Troupe, Taher Inc. for their delicious desserts, DJ Chad from Trivia Stash for getting everyone out on the dance floor, all of our spectacular volunteers, our in-kind contributors and generous donors, and ERA parent and photographer Sridhar Thayur for donating his services to capture the magic of the evening. Enjoy the photos!
If you were unable to attend this year’s Gala, it’s not too late to support the staff and students of Eagle Ridge Academy! Make an online donation to Eagle Ridge Academy here.
Gifts by cash or check may be sent to:
- Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy
- 11111 Bren Road West
- Minnetonka, MN 55343
Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference to the students and staff of Eagle Ridge Academy.
2021 ERA alumna Sridhatri Guntipally was the guest speaker for the 10th Annual Gala for the Gryphons. She performed Bharatanatyam, a form of classical Indian Dance that originated in southern India almost 2,000 years ago. Sri was the co-valedictorian of her graduating class and grateful recipient of the Marilyn R. Strand Memorial scholarship. She was also a U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate and National Merit Scholar. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, majoring in human physiology and minoring in environmental sciences policy and management, and a touring apprentice at Ragamala Dance Company.
While those that attended the Gala were able to view all the silent auction items in person, as well as had the opportunity to bid on our live auction items, the entire Eagle Ridge Academy community was invited to participate in the online silent auction. The auction opened Friday, November 11, at 5:00 p.m. and stayed open until 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 18.
Proceeds from this year’s Gala will help fund the Grow Your Own Teacher program at Eagle Ridge Academy. Having excellent, diverse, and Classical teachers for all of our Gryphons has been a challenge. Eagle Ridge Academy will begin Growing Our Own teachers right here at ERA in order to increase the diversity of Classical teachers available for our students.
The 2022 Gala program included a performance from The Somali Museum Dance Troupe!
The Somali Museum Dance Troupe studies and performs traditional dances from different regions across Somalia. Comprised of teens and young adults from the greater Twin Cities area, the troupe has performed for countless corporate, private and public events, taking place all across Minnesota and nation-wide.
Learn more at their website: www.somalimuseum.org/dance-troupe.
Introducing Gala Emcee and Auctioneer Karen Sorbo!
As one of the premier benefit auctioneers, Karen Sorbo’s dedication to her profession, its purpose, and results has impacted organizations across the United States, Mexico, and Hong Kong. Since graduating from the World Wide College of Auctioneering in 1993, she has orchestrated and conducted more than 2,800 auctions, raising more than 900 million dollars for deserving organizations.
Karen is a long-standing member of the National Association of Auctioneers (NAA), and has conducted numerous educational seminars during the tenure of her membership. Karen has been featured in local and national publications and television for her auction specialty. In 2009, she served as a judge for the prestigious title of International Auctioneer Champion. In 2011, Karen was selected as a Woman of Influence by Minnesota Monthly, and in 2012 was chosen as one of the Women You Need to Know by the Women’s Speakers Association.