A Toast to Technology Education in Oregon’s Schools
 By Kathryn Schwartz, educational programs coordinator, SAO
On Saturday, October 7th 2006, the SAO Foundation held its annual UNCORK-ED fundraiser. It was an evening of wine tasting, auction, music, food and fun, featuring SAO members, teachers and others to celebrate and support technology education in Oregon’s K-12 schools.
Educator and student awards
Susan Castillo, Oregon’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, served as Honorary Chair of the event and presented the SAO Foundation’s Oregon Technology Educator of the Year award to Tigard High School teacher Stevie Viaene. Ms. Castillo had high praise for the work of Ms. Viaene and the work of the SAO and SAO Foundation in supporting technology education.
KATU newscaster Deb Knapp, along with Rich Bader, CEO of EasyStreet, served as emcee and guest auctioneer for the event. They introduced Jacob Messer, a high school student with a passion for technology, who was selected in a competitive essay process by the Oregon Department of Education to take a Dream Field Trip to Microsoft.
UNCORK-ED funds support SAO Foundation programs that provide professional development to Oregon technology educators and awaken a passion for technology among Oregon students. This year’s event more than doubled the funds raised in 2005. The generosity attendees will help the Foundation reach more teachers and inspire more students to succeed in programming, computer science, robotics, information technology and other technology-focused educational experiences.
Many thanks
Click here to buy quality Oregon wine and support technology education – all in time to have wine at your Thanksgiving dinner and for your personal and corporate year-end gift giving and celebrating.
UNCORK-ED owes its success to many: the board and staff of the SAO and SAO Foundation are grateful to all of the donors, sponsors, teachers, volunteers, VIPs and guests who made the evening possible.
Among the many thanks we owe, we want call out some special people who lent their amazing talents:
- Elizabeth Morrow-McKenzie of Morrow McKenzie Design designed the artwork and invitations that so well defined the feel of the evening.
- Amelia J-Lewis of APB Communications worked with the auction committee to create and implement a promotion campaign focusing on the teachers and students the SAO Foundation programs reach.
- Pat Granum of Co-Operations stepped up to provide free distribution of wine purchased at the event, as well as to let you enjoy the opportunity to continue wine tasting in the name of philanthropic support of technology education!
- Stephen Rogers of LeanPath, Inc. was the event architect and invested many hours of time and enthusiasm to ensure our success.
Get involved!
For information about sponsoring or volunteering on next year’s UNCORK-ED it’s not too early to contact Kathryn Schwartz, 503-228-5443, kschwartz@sao.org.
UNCORK-ED Event Sponsors
Davis Wright Tremaine
Symantec
Synopsys
Table Sponsors
Attensa
Corillian Corporation
EasyStreet Online Services, Inc.
FEI Company
First Tech Credit Union
IBM Corporation
InSight Schools
Intel Corporation
KPMG LLP
LeanPath
Microsoft Corporation
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
ProSight
Standard Insurance Company
Stoel Rives LLP
WebTrends
Supporters
City of Beaverton
D. A. Davidson
Dave and Christine Vernier of Vernier Technology
New Group
Ruby Communications
Scott Gerke
APB Communications, Inc
Co-Operations
Morrow McKenzie Design
Mt. Hood Beverage
PrintSync
Widmer Brewing
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