On May 16, the Granada Day School community filled the historic Biltmore Hotel for an unforgettable evening. The annual fundraising gala, Enchanted Garden: A Moonlit Evening in Full Bloom, brought families, alumni, church members, sponsors, community leaders, faculty, and friends together around a shared mission. An investment in students. A celebration of 70+ years of purpose.
The evening honored the people, partnerships, and faith that have sustained Granada Day School for generations.
An Evening in Full Bloom
From the moment guests arrived, they stepped into an atmosphere carefully designed to reflect the beauty and wonder of an enchanted garden. Stunning floral-inspired décor, elegant details, and thoughtfully curated experiences transformed the ballroom into something truly memorable.
Beautiful centerpieces, generously provided by The Coral Gables Garden Club, helped bring the evening’s vision to life. Their contribution was a perfect example of what becomes possible when community organizations rally around a common cause.
NEST New York added warmth with the signature scent Himalayan Salt & Rosewater. The fragrance greeted guests throughout the night and perfectly complemented the garden-inspired theme.
Dinner, dancing, fellowship, meaningful conversation. Guests celebrated together, connected with one another, and renewed the bonds that make this community so strong.
Investing in the Future of Granada Day School
This year’s fundraising efforts centered on initiatives with direct, lasting impact on students. Classroom modernization projects and campus improvements were designed to enhance safety, functionality, and learning opportunities for every child who walks through Granada Day School’s doors.
As a school dedicated to growing hearts and minds for Jesus, every upgrade is an investment in children. Updated classrooms. Enhanced learning environments. Improved campus facilities. These are spaces where students can thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
The generosity on display throughout the evening will be felt for years to come.
Community Leaders Supporting Christian Education
Several respected community leaders joined Granada Day School in celebrating this mission, and their presence added something meaningful to the evening.
The school was honored to welcome Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson. Their attendance reflected the deep connection between Granada Day School and the greater Coral Gables community, and a shared commitment to supporting families and education.
Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis continued her valued partnership with the school. Her advocacy has helped strengthen community relationships and broaden awareness of Granada Day School’s impact across the region. Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, whose commitment to serving families throughout Miami-Dade County runs deep, also brought meaningful support to the evening.
Investing in children is a community effort. These leaders understand that, and Granada Day School is grateful for their presence.
A Special Message from Dorothy Thomson
One of the most memorable moments of the evening came from featured speaker Dorothy Thomson.
A longtime supporter of Granada Day School and a highly respected leader in Coral Gables, Dorothy has dedicated herself to education, community engagement, and charitable work. Her influence has shaped countless lives throughout this city and beyond.
During her remarks, Dorothy shared heartfelt reflections on the importance of investing in children and supporting institutions that help shape future generations. Her words captured the mission of Granada Day School and reminded every guest in the room of the lasting impact a strong educational foundation can have on a child’s life.
The school is deeply grateful for Dorothy’s encouragement, leadership, and unwavering support.
The Sponsors and Supporters Who Made the Evening Possible
Events like the Enchanted Garden Gala come to life through the generosity of sponsors, donors, and community partners.
Salva Hale Law sponsored the evening’s open bar, creating a welcoming experience for guests and contributing meaningfully to the night’s success. Cygnet Gin elevated the hospitality experience and added its own memorable touch to the evening.
The 360 photo booth, generously provided by Charlie Papy, Class of ‘57, became one of the most popular attractions of the night. Guests captured memories all evening long. Keepsakes from a truly special event.
Every sponsor and supporter played a role in bringing Enchanted Garden to life, and Granada Day School is incredibly grateful for each of those partnerships.
A Special Thank You to Our Gala Families
Behind every great event is a team of people who show up and give everything they have.
The Duchemin Family, Papy Family, and Mena-Gonzalez Family deserve extraordinary recognition for their commitment to this year’s gala. Their generosity, leadership, and countless hours of service transformed months of planning into a beautiful, meaningful evening for the entire community.
Their dedication reflects the spirit of partnership that has helped Granada Day School thrive for more than seven decades.
A Night That Reflected What Granada Day School Is
The Enchanted Garden Gala was a gathering. A celebration of shared purpose. An evening where families, alumni, teachers, church members, and supporters stood together around a mission that matters.
Granada Day School is built on faith, relationships, and a commitment to helping children flourish in every area of life. Every gift, sponsorship, volunteer hour, and prayer contributed to the success of this event, and every one of them will continue to impact students for years to come.
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
Hearts are full.
Granada Day School is grateful for every family who attended, every sponsor who invested in the mission, every volunteer who served behind the scenes, and every supporter who believes in the future of this school.
Because of your generosity, children are known, loved, challenged, and encouraged to grow in their faith. That is the legacy being built here.
Thank you for being part of it.
Together, we are building something that will impact generations to come.
