Written by Class of 2027
Photos by Alysha Seng (Class of 2028)

On the chilly afternoon of Tuesday, November 26th, students, teachers, and parents gathered together before the Thanksgiving holiday. Our annual Gratitude Gala, hosted by the sophomore class, filled Wonderful Words Hall with the smell of delicious food, beautiful handmade art, and joyful conversations. The proceeds from each booth went towards non-profit organizations of the booth’s choice.

There were 11 fundraising booths from clubs and classes, along with two  information booths from Blue Zones and Mendocino County Public Health promoting healthy living with books and informational flyers. The Junior High class had a petting zoo booth for their cute pet rabbits. Clubs such as Children Of The World and Business Women sold stickers, handmade keychains, and necklaces. Booths hosted fun games, with snacks and toys as rewards. There were many different types of snacks and drinks such as milk tea, cookies, vegan fried chicken, and red bean soup as well as pumpkin curry rice and noodles with tempeh.

This year, the booths collectively raised a total of more than $2,300, all of which will be donated to non-profit organizations selected by each booth. Some of the booths chose to support the MonLight School in Thailand, reflecting DVGS students’ commitment to helping children in Thailand access education and learn effectively. This initiative not only demonstrates the students’ dedication to global education but also shows their willingness to foster a sense of community and compassion among other students.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the teachers, parents, and students who contributed to making this event a success. Your support and commitment is truly valuable. We hope that the funds raised will make a positive impact and benefit a worthy cause. 

This year’s Gratitude Gala was a heartwarming celebration of community spirit and generosity. The collaboration between all our students, teachers, and parents not only made the event enjoyable but also ensured that they would support meaningful causes. Reflecting on this successful gathering, we look forward to the positive changes it will bring, reminding us all of the power of coming together as one for supporting the greater good. Thank you and we look forward to our next annual Gratitude Gala in 2025!

The donations gained by the day’s efforts are as follows: 
Boys 2-6th (Mon Light School, Thailand): $285
Girls 2-3rd (Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County): $70
Girls 4-6th (United Disaster Relief of Northern California): $167 
Girls 4-8th  (MonLight School in Thailand): $218
Business Women Club (World Vision for women with small businesses): $130
COTW Club (Children of the World): $123
Interact Club (United Disaster Relief of Northern California): $300
HDM (Her Dreams Matter, Hearthstone Village): $81
PTO Booth (Project Sanctuary Ukiah & CTTB medical team): $376
IGDVS Booth (IGDVS): $318