Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • April 4, 2012 Ho-Ho-Kus Fundraiser deemed most successful in recent years by Jennifer Crusco Over 170 community members and school officials turned out to support the annual Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation Dinner Dance and Auction. Supporters helped the non-profit organization net over $80,000 for the benefit of the borough’s sole public school, which serves students in kindergarten through grade eight. Event organizers reported that this year’s program, dubbed “The Places You’ll Go,” was the organization’s most successful event in recent years. The fundraiser is the foundation’s major annual event. In addition to dinner and dancing, the evening’s activities featured auctions that included high-end prizes, such as a Columbus Day weekend getaway in Vermont, a summer vacation at a home in Westhampton, VIP tickets to a Coldplay concert, catered parties, gift certificates to local businesses, tickets to sporting events, and other entertainment opportunities. The foundation’s members expressed their thanks to the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School administration, teachers, parents, and everyone from the school and business community for their time, financial donations, and contributions. All of the proceeds from this event will be used to fund grants requested by the teachers at the public school. Foundation grants are used to support programs and purchase technology that will enhance the educational experience of students at all grade levels and learning abilities. In prior years, foundation grants have funded Smartboards for every grade, the Career Technology Lab, the school TV studio, the Lego Robotics program, StarLab, the Shakespeare program, a new “Laptop Lab,” and many other efforts that otherwise would not have been funded through the regular school budget. Most recently, foundation funds were used to create an outdoor classroom in the school courtyard. Founded in 1992, the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation is managed by an independent board of trustees. Board members include volunteer school parents and members of the school administration. Twice a year, the foundation’s trustees evaluate grant requests for school-wide initiatives. Proposals are sponsored by a teacher or group of teachers. Since its inception 20 years ago, the foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in grants. At a recent budget presentation, the Ho- Ho-Ho-Kus Superintendent Deborah Ferrara, Auction Co-chair Sue Reynolds, Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation President Nan Norbitz Kelly, and Ho-Ho-Kus School Principal Dr. Alexis Eckert were among those who attended the recent fundraiser. Ho-Kus Board of Education acknowledged the efforts of the foundation in contributing to the educational opportunities at the public school. Funds raised by the founda- tion allow the district to provide programs beyond what would otherwise be possible with tax revenues or state aid contributions to the district. Karen Painter Randall of Ho-Ho-Kus, a certified civil trial attorney and partner at the law firm of Connell Foley, has been named one of “New Jersey’s 2012 Best 50 Women in Business” by NJBIZ. The borough resident and her fellow honorees were selected by an independent panel of judges based on their dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women. “We are extremely honored and pleased to announce this prestigious award earned by Karen Randall,” said Managing Partner Michael X. McBride. “She is respected and recognized for her work at Connell Foley for over 25 years. This award is well deserved and all of us at Connell Foley Randall is among state’s Best 50 Women in Business are pleased to congratulate Karen for this highly significant accomplishment.” Randall received her bachelor’s, master’s, and juris doctor degrees from the University of South Carolina. She later completed the advanced legal management program at the Montclair State University School of Business. During her career, Randall clerked for the Honorable Richard W. Riley, the former governor of South Carolina, for two years. She also served as a law clerk to the Honorable J. Emmet Cassidy, presiding judge, Bergen County Law Division. Randall is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. District Court of Appeals, Third District; the U.S. Karen Painter Randall District for the District of New Jersey; and the State of New Jersey. At Connell Foley, she provides counseling, representation, and advocacy to professionals and businesses. Over the years, she has served as chair of various American Bar Association committees, and has served on the Bergen County Bar Association’s Judicial Performance Committee and on the Defense Research Institute Advisory Board and Steering Committee. She has also served as a mentor for the National Association of Women Lawyers. Her work with the Women’s USLAW Steering Committee has included service as New Jersey State Chair in 2011. (continued on page 17)