Event
Information
Legacy
Award
Host
Committee
Fundraising
Blitz
Tickets
2026 PCS Spring Gala
Save the Date:
The 2026 PCS Spring Gala will be on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Edison Ballroom!
Wednesday, April 22nd
at The Edison Ballroom
6:00 Cocktail Reception
7:00 Seated Dinner & Program
The evening will include a festive cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, a seated 3-course dinner, the presentation of the coveted PCS Legacy Award, dazzling student performances, and more.
All proceeds from the 2026 PCS Spring Gala directly benefit the PCS Financial Aid Fund.
2026 LEGACY AWARD HONOREES
Rachel Antonoff
Legacy Award Honoree 2026
PCS Class of 1999
Rachel Antonoff is a clothing designer and the founder of Rachel Antonoff, a Ready-To-Wear collection built on the belief that fashion should be fun and inclusive.
The brand has been carried by Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Shop Bop and boutiques domestically and internationally. The company has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Elle, W, Women’s Wear Daily, New York Magazine and The New Yorker among others. The brand has completed successful collaborations with Bass Footwear, Archie Comics, Keds, Little Spoon and Pepperidge Farm.
Rachel is a member of PCS Class of 1999 and previously served on the PCS Board of Trustees. She has served as red carpet host for the MTV VMAs three times and is a co-founder and sitting board member of The Ally Coalition, an organization that aids LGBTQIA youth without homes.
RACHEL ANTONOFF
PCS Class of 1999
Rachel Antonoff
Legacy Award Honoree 2026
PCS Class of 1999
Rachel Antonoff is a clothing designer and the founder of Rachel Antonoff, a Ready-To-Wear collection built on the belief that fashion should be fun and inclusive.
The brand has been carried by Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Shop Bop and boutiques domestically and internationally. The company has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Elle, W, Women’s Wear Daily, New York Magazine and The New Yorker among others. The brand has completed successful collaborations with Bass Footwear, Archie Comics, Keds, Little Spoon and Pepperidge Farm.
Rachel is a member of PCS Class of 1999 and previously served on the PCS Board of Trustees. She has served as red carpet host for the MTV VMAs three times and is a co-founder and sitting board member of The Ally Coalition, an organization that aids LGBTQIA youth without homes.
Jean J. Scales
Legacy Award Honoree 2026
Appointed to PCS: 1986
Jean J. Scales is celebrating 40 years of service and commitment to Professional Children’s School. She originally joined the school community as the School Secretary in 1986 and has had a lasting impact in the decades that followed. Since the beginning, Jean has been a connecting force for the school community. Her warmth, humor, and friendly demeanor has welcomed generations of students and families as her work grew from reception into foundational roles in both the Business and Admissions offices. Jean has also been instrumental in the creation of the annual PCS Yearbook for the past several years, working alongside students to capture the spirit of our school with pages that reflect the core values that she instills within the community. Outside of her primary roles at PCS, Jean’s office has been a haven for students and faculty alike, and you will often find various people sitting on her couch, receiving comfort, sharing stories, or just having a friendly conversation. Ms. Scales has represented the mission and values of Professional Children’s School for four decades and her legacy at PCS is unmatched. We look forward to her continued service to the school for many years to come.
JEAN J. SCALES
Celebrating 40 Years at PCS
Jean J. Scales
Legacy Award Honoree 2026
Appointed to PCS: 1986
Jean J. Scales is celebrating 40 years of service and commitment to Professional Children’s School. She originally joined the school community as the School Secretary in 1986 and has had a lasting impact in the decades that followed. Since the beginning, Jean has been a connecting force for the school community. Her warmth, humor, and friendly demeanor has welcomed generations of students and families as her work grew from reception into foundational roles in both the Business and Admissions offices. Jean has also been instrumental in the creation of the annual PCS Yearbook for the past several years, working alongside students to capture the spirit of our school with pages that reflect the core values that she instills within the community. Outside of her primary roles at PCS, Jean’s office has been a haven for students and faculty alike, and you will often find various people sitting on her couch, receiving comfort, sharing stories, or just having a friendly conversation. Ms. Scales has represented the mission and values of Professional Children’s School for four decades and her legacy at PCS is unmatched. We look forward to her continued service to the school for many years to come.
2026 SPRING 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.
Join the Host Committee to become a Pace Setter for the Spring Gala!
Honorary Chairs
Melissa and Harry Lis
Moses Singer
Honorary Vice Chairs
Alyssa Grikscheit and Mauricio Barberi
Isaac and Kiran Greaney
Erin and Brendan Scanlon
Executive Host Committee
David R. Bixler ’71
Donald and Susan Brant
The Vlak Family
Jason Weinberg and Merritt Johnson
Barbara and Daniel Wood
Simone and Fehmi Zeko
Host Committee
Jesse and Anne Ausubel
Nell Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe
Amanda and Ritam Bhalla
Lee and Bill Dieck
Melanie Greenberg
Brian and Jenny Hogan
The Najar Family
Peter Pileski
Denise Jackson Sutherland ’69
Melissa and Rob Teeter
FUNDRAISING BLITZ!
Families continue to experience a growing need for financial aid, and Professional Children’s School aims to meet them where they are. Over 32% of PCS students have received some level of financial assistance this year, and your support empowers them to pursue their education with the same grit and commitment as they do their passions.
You can be part of the dream-making mission at PCS with a gift today. Your generosity directly impacts young artists, athletes, performers, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
The PCS Fundraising Blitz is an entertaining fundraising program that will take place at the PCS Spring Gala on April 22nd. Supporters are welcome to contribute to the blitz, with a goal of $100,000, any time between now and the evening of the Gala. This is also a great way to participate in the Gala if you do not plan to attend!
Give a fully tax-deductible gift in support of the Dr. James Dawson Fund for Financial Aid!
Blitz FAQ:
What is the fundraising blitz?
The Fundraising Blitz, or Trademark Reverse Auction, is a live fundraising program that PCS has developed as part of the annual Spring Gala celebration. Instead of bidding on items with increasing bids, we will ask community members and supporters to join us in directly supporting financial aid. This fast-paced, entertaining blitz will feature an auction-style program, but donors can support the initiative at any time by giving directly online.
All gifts will be fully tax-deductible, as there will be no goods or services received from the contributions. All proceeds will directly benefit the Dr. James Dawson Fund for Financial Aid.
This is a fun way for the community to come together and provide support to the school, especially if you cannot attend the Spring Gala!
How do I participate?
If you are attending the Spring Gala on April 22nd, you will be invited to participate during the program portion of the evening. We want to put the “fun” in “fundraising”, and will have an entertaining program that is sure to motivate our most generous supporters. There will be QR codes for supporters to give online.
You will be responsible for arranging payment (online, or mailed in check) with the Advancement Office. Questions can be directed to advancement@pcs-nyc.org.
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 advancement@pcs-nyc.org.
What does the blitz support?
The proceeds raised at the fundraising blitz 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 blitz?
Thank you for supporting our Gala and we look forward to celebrating with you on April 22nd!
Participation in the Fundraising Blitz is completely optional. While we would appreciate any support you are able to give to the program, 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 22nd, however you are still welcome to support the Blitz! 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 advancement@pcs-nyc.org for further instructions and we can ensure your gift counts towards our goal.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes!
Gifts made to the Fundraising Blitz, 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 22nd to give my gift?
This depends!
Are you coming to the Gala on April 22nd? If so, we would love for you to give your gift that evening! 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, you are welcome to pledge in advance so that we can be aware and support you if needed. Email advancement@pcs-nyc.org to learn more.
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 advancement@pcs-nyc.org for further instructions.
Can I make a pledge, but pay my gift later?
Yes!
If you would like to pledge to the blitz, you can contact the Advancement office at advancement@pcs-nyc.org to make our team aware of your intention to give. There will also be pledge forms available at the Gala on April 22nd.
If your question is not answered here,
please contact the Advancement Office at advancement@pcs-nyc.org.