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HomeNewsArchivesMONTESSORI BRINGS VEGAS TO SUGAR BAY

MONTESSORI BRINGS VEGAS TO SUGAR BAY

Montessori School is holding its 31st annual "Las Vegas Night" starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort ballroom, featuring a cash raffle with a top prize of $10,000.
Hundreds of volunteers and community members flock to the fun event every year. According to Evelyn Nye, Montessori parent and event director, "Las Vegas Night has become one of the most glamorous evenings on St. Thomas."
About 90 dealers have been recruited this year, not only from parents, but from the ranks of good-hearted community people, according to Shournagh McWeeney, school administrator. It's not only a good cause, it's fun. The evening will have roulette, blackjack, craps tables and even bingo. Though 90 seems a lot, the dealers work from 7 p.m. until the wee hours when the last players wind down.
Nye said, "We always have a handful of casino mangers from Puerto Rico fly over to help us maintain a professional level of gambling—the guys have become like family to us."
Though the $10,000 raffle prize would be nice, there are also several "lovely surprises" from the students, McWheeney said. Since the students are under 18 years old, they cannot attend the event in person, so each grade makes something to auction.
Last year one class made a ceramic dish set and another group of six to nine-year-old created a painting which sold for $600. Not Picasso perhaps, but maybe a baby Grandma Moses.
Aside from the children's contributions, the auction will feature cruise and airline trips, jewelry and a variety of prizes donated from local merchants. There will also be a silent auction.
George Blackhall and Jill Doherty will run the auction, and joining them on the stage will be radio personalities Sam Topp, Addie Ottley, Mary Lou Burnett and Miss USVI Lisa Wynne.
Proceeds from the event, Nye said, fund financial aid and scholarship programs, campus and classroom upgrades and sports projects, such as the school's new soccer field.
Tickets for the event are $30 in advance, or $35 at the door, and can be purchased from the school, or from any Montessori parent. They are also available at Glenn's Gifts and Bags, Phil's Paradise in Tutu Park Mall, Sanrio, East End Secretarial in Red Hook, the Veggie Table in Frenchtown, Silk Greenery in Fort Mylner and Connections in Cruz Bay, St. John. Raffle tickets are $5, and can be purchased from any Montessori student or parent. For more information, call (340) 775-6360 or (340) 775-6511.

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