Friends and supporters of Springer School and Center gathered in Hangar 2 at Lunken Airport for A Springer Celebration! 2018 Take Flight on May 3. More than 350 guests enjoyed appetizers and dinner from a variety of food trucks, live and silent auctions and a wine pull.
Sherry Hughes, WCPO – ABC, 9 On Your Side Meteorologist/MMJ, served as emcee and auctioneer for the evening, which featured Alumni Speaker Nicolle Searcy, a 1994 graduate of Springer and owner, with her husband Evan, of the Tin Man Grill food truck.
Guests engaged in activities that demonstrated how Springer helps its students learn to manage their learning disabilities, allowing them to “take flight” and find success, some for the first time. A display including alumni bios illustrated ways in which Springer graduates have taken flight in education and career. In addition to the Tin Man Grill, food trucks Sweets & Meats Barbecue and Quite Frankly provided dinner and appetizer options.
Searcy shared with event guests the pain of struggling in school with a learning disability, saying it felt “overwhelming, lonely and scary.” “Springer gave me the courage, strength and knowledge to break free of the labels that others had placed on me,” she said. “They gave me the motivation to persevere and overcome, to embrace my strengths and weaknesses. Springer took this broken, insecure child and brought me back to life. They loved me and taught me to focus on the good, to cope with my disability, and channel my intelligence and strength.”
Co-Chairing the event were Trustees Kim Vincent and Ryan Brown. The event raised $145,000 for financial aid and school and center programs.