This year, we made a simple but significant decision: we moved our end-of-year banquet from a Friday to a Thursday. That change alone saved the choir program over $10,000.

In previous years, banquet spending exceeded what we brought in through ticket sales. This year, we wanted to change that—to break even or even come out ahead. We're happy to share that we sold $11,475 in banquet tickets and spent $9,550, allowing us to not only stay within budget but also make thoughtful upgrades.

With the margin we created, we were able to:

• Purchase senior gifts and director appreciation gifts
• Enhance the banquet experience with upgraded dinner and dessert options
• Invest in reusable items like tablecloths and centerpieces

To give just one example: renting tablecloths costs about $6 each, but purchasing them outright only cost $2 each. By buying them, we saved money this year and eliminated that recurring cost for future banquets—freeing up more funds to invest directly into the choir program moving forward.

While we absolutely want our students to have amazing experiences, we also believe in honoring the funds that come in by using them wisely and with intention. Thank you for your continued support—it makes all of this possible.