NEW PHOTOS! Carpenter's Bootleggers' Ball Yields Great Success

The costumes and cheer were priceless as parents and faculty of Carpenter Community Charter School gathered Saturday night to their largest fundraiser fo the year, the 24th annua.

Noted for their outrageous and fun themes, this year it was a Bootleggers' Ball reminiscent of the 1920s when the school was first built (in 1924).

The nine parent volunteers were honored (see profiles here) and Michellene DeBonis thanked the crowd. She said she was impressed that now about 75 percent of Carpenter’s families are involved in helping the school out, because in the past it rarely got more than 30 percent.

Fundraising for the school topped $600,000 which was needed for the extra school enrichment programs, especially after facing additional cuts by LAUSD.

Los Angeles City Controller and Studio City resident Wendy Greuel attended as did LAUSD officials Alma Pena-Sanchez and Mercedes Velazquez.

Carpenter principal Joe Martinez came on stage as Houdini and said he would attempt to recreate a trick performed by the great magician in 1924 when the school was built. After being chained and locked, he wasn’t able to complete the trick, but said, “I practiced this five times at home today.”

The event was held at the CBS Radford Studios and included dancing and a casino night as well as a lavish buffet dinner.

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