Event Information

Legacy Award

Host Committee

Reverse Auction

Tickets

110th Anniversary Gala

2024 marks 110 years of Professional Children’s School.

Join the PCS community for a festive reception, inspiring performances, and our annual Legacy Award presentations at the 110th Anniversary Gala. Proceeds from the Gala will directly benefit the PCS Financial Aid Fund.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
in support of the Financial Aid Fund 

EDISON BALLROOM
240 West 47th Street
New York City

6:30 PM – Festive Cocktail Reception
7:30 PM – Seated Dinner & Reverse Auction
8:30 PM – Presentation of PCS Legacy Award and Powerful Student Performances

Festive Attire

2024 LEGACY AWARD HONOREE

[Photo credit: Jenna Greene]

CHRISTINA RICCI

PCS Class of 1997

Christina Ricci has been seen in countless films and television series since her childhood. Ricci’s film career began when she was just nine years old, acting alongside Cher and Winona Ryder in Mermaids. In 1995, shortly after the success of her film, Casper, Ricci enrolled in PCS. Her career has spanned decades, appearing in such films as The Addams Family, The Addams Family Values, Now and Then, The Ice Storm, The Opposite of Sex, Buffalo 66, Sleepy Hollow, Monster, and others. Most recently, her television credits include Wednesday and her Emmy and Golden-Globe nominated performance in Yellowjackets. Ricci also starred in the Amazon original series Z: The Beginning of Everything, for which she also served as a producer and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, for which earned her a 2016 SAG Award® nomination. Ricci has also appeared in multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. 

Ricci boasts an impressive array of accolades, having been nominated for prestigious awards at the Golden Globe, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite, and Critic’s Choice Award ceremonies.

Professional Children’s School is proud to honor Christina Ricci as the 2024 Legacy Award recipient, celebrating her many contributions to the film and television industry.

110TH ANNIVERSARY GALA HOST COMMITTEE

PCS is exceedingly grateful for the leadership and generosity of the members of our Host Committee for
supporting the Gala and empowering the young people of Professional Children’s School to pursue their dreams.

The Host Committee supports the Gala and helps to underwrite the direct costs of the event,
enabling all additional ticket sales and contributions
to directly support our students through the PCS Financial Aid Fund. 

Honorary Chairs

Melanie Harris ’91 and Rob Fraiman
Erin and Brendan Scanlon
Moses Singer

Honorary Vice Chairs

Anonymous
Alyssa Grikscheit
Diane Kenney
Simone and Fehmi Zeko

Executive Host Committee

Amanda and Ritam Bhalla
The Bommer Family
Donald and Susan Brant
Kristin and John Clark
Ernest and Kay Frank
Isaac and Kiran Greaney
Eleena Melamed ’96
Jason Weinberg and Merritt Johnson

Host Committee

Jesse and Anne Ausubel
David R. Bixler ’71
Marian Brown and John Glassie
Darrell and Amy Crate ’89
Brian and Jenny Hogan
Sonja Kostich ’90
Dr. Jennifer London and
Dr. Joshua Socolow

Robert and Sharon Musiker
Peter Pileski
Sonya and Darren Schroeder
Denise Jackson Sutherland ’69

TRADEMARK REVERSE AUCTION

Professional Children’s School is excited to be bringing back the trademark Reverse Auction in honor of our 110th Anniversary!

This year, we are hoping to raise $110,000 to benefit the Dr. James Dawson Fund for Financial Aid, empowering passionate, driven, and talented students to pursue a PCS education.

Your support will make a lasting difference for PCS students and families. Will you join our efforts?

Click here to go to the Live Reverse Auction page.

 Reverse Auction FAQ:

What is the reverse auction?

The Trademark Reverse Auction is a live fundraising tool that PCS has done at several events and Galas over the years. Instead of bidding on items with increasing bids, we will ask community members and supporters to bid to give a donation to the school, starting with the highest amount.

We are asking the community to come together to give the gift of $110,000 or more to PCS in honor of this milestone birthday. The bidding will start at $110,000, and we will work down to lower bid numbers.

This is a fun way for the community to come together and provide support to the school.

How do I participate?

If you are attending the PCS 110th Anniversary Gala, you will be invited to participate during the live reverse auction during the dinner portion of the evening. Dr. James Dawson will facilitate the auction and call for bids while our supporters are gathered.

After you bid, you will be responsible for arranging payment (either online, or via check or cash) with the Advancement Office. Questions can be directed to [email protected]

If you are not attending the Gala, you may participate by giving a gift via the form on this page. You can also contact the Advancement Office to make a pledge or ask questions at [email protected]

What does the auction support?

The proceeds raised at the reverse auction will directly benefit the Dr. James Dawson Fund for Financial Aid. These funds will be crucial in supporting the rising generation of artists, performers, athletes, and innovators who wish to pursue a PCS education alongside their dreams.

I already bought my Gala ticket. Do I need to support the auction?

Thank you for supporting our Gala!

Participation in the Reverse Auction is completely optional. While we would appreciate any support you are able to give to the auction, we are most happy to be celebrating this milestone event with the cherished members of our community.

I cannot attend the Gala. Can I still participate?

Yes!

We will miss you at the Gala event on April 17th, however you are still welcome to support the Reverse Auction. Instead of being there for the live event, you are welcome to give a gift by utilizing the donation form on this page. If you would prefer to send a check or cash, you may contact the Advancement Office at [email protected] for further instructions.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes!

Gifts made to the Reverse Auction, either at the live event or online, are all fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Do I have to wait until April 17th to give my gift?

This depends!

Are you coming to the Gala on April 17th? If so, we would love for you to pledge your gift at the live Reverse Auction! The room is always buzzing with excitement and adrenaline during this event, and it takes gifts like yours to make that happen. If you are planning to be there in person, save it for the event. That said, please let us know of your plans to pledge so that we can be aware! Email [email protected]

If you are not planning to attend, then there is no need to wait! You can give your gift via the form on this page, or contact the Advancement Office at [email protected] for further instructions.

Can I make a pledge, but pay my gift later?

Yes!

If you would like to pledge to the auction, you can do the following:

1. Click Donate. Select the preferred amount and move through the steps.

2. For the Payment, select “mail a check”. This will count your pledge, but not require immediate payment. 

3. When you are ready to make a payment, contact the Advancement office at [email protected]

If your question is not answered here, please contact the Advancement Office at [email protected].