"Over the past 25 years, the St. Scholastica Academy Falaya Fling has grown into a 'must-attend' fun event," said Marguerite Celestin, school president.

"This major fundraiser designates its proceeds for the enhancement of projects and programs that benefit our students. We recognize and appreciate that the success of this event, since its inception in 1984, is due to our volunteers and the generosity of the community. We especially honor all the women who chaired this event during the past 25 years," she said. "We are also grateful for the support, involvement and hard work from so many members of the SSA family."

Chairwomen for this year's annual auction, dinner and dance include Leslie Ellinghausen, Licy Gagnet, Ann Rosenow, Laure Rooney and Rhonda Sceroler.

Proceeds will be used for the SSA financial assistance program and enhancements to the Advanced Placement curriculum, with a percentage also given to the endowment fund. The school also donates a portion of Falaya Fling proceeds to a charity each year. This year's recipient will be the St. Tammany Memorial Cancer Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money to fight cancer through research, and patient and family services.

Decorations will combine the silver of the 25th anniversary with the school colors of royal blue and white. And patrons will receive a pair of blue beads with a sparkling white dove, in honor of the school's mascot. A donation also will be made in the name of each patron to the SSA chapel, Our Mother of Perpetual Hope.

New Orleans Saints player Kevin Houser, will serve as the evening's auctioneer, with items that include a 10-day stay at a Puerto Vallarta villa, a Hornets basketball autographed by Chris Paul, dinner for eight prepared by John Besh, an autographed Saints Football and more. Guests also will want to cast an eye on silent auction items that include a full orthodontic treatment, a 19-inch television, a college dorm refrigerator, a microwave, a Mardi Gras float sculpture by artist John Hodge, catering services, themed baskets donated by SSA homerooms and gift certificates for golf, portrait sessions, hotel accommodations, spa packages, restaurants, a one-hour flight instruction and others.

Student art items include mosaic birdbaths and stepping stones, silk scarves and ties. A half-carat diamond is the prize at the Blingtini booth, where guests take chances by selecting a martini glass for $20. No one is a loser, however, as all will receive a martini in their chosen martini glass along with a CZ.

Raffles for $5,000 cash and $5,000 toward an SSA tuition are $50 per ticket. Tickets in the Pick-a-Live Raffle, where the winner gets first choice of any live auction items, are $100 per ticket.

Four Unplugged will provide the evening's musical entertainment and the dinner buffet will include seafood lasagna, crab and brie soup, fried coconut shrimp, salad, bread pudding with vanilla sauce, pecan-smoked salmon, shrimp bisque, chicken andouille gumbo, penne ariabbiata, corn and crab soup, shrimp remoulade, crab cakes, fresh shucked oysters, almond macaroons, an open bar and more.

Tickets to the Falaya Fling are $60 per person. Those interested in purchasing tickets or sponsorship packages, or in donating items, should contact SSA Advancement Director Elaine Simmons at 892.2540, ext. 132, or sending an e-mail her at esimmons@ssacad.com

Tickets also will be available at the door. "The Falaya Fling is truly a community event," said Mary Kathryn Villere, school principal.

"We are grateful for the extremely generous merchants, donors, sponsors, restaurants, benefactors, patrons, students, volunteers and guests. Their participation reflects the true meaning of community involvement for this significant moment in SSA's history marking the 25th anniversary of the academy's major fundraiser.