More than 340 people gathered on Valentine’s Day to bid on silent auction items, feast on delicious foods and dance the night away at the sold-out Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation Dancing With Our Stars gala held at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula.

The gala was the first of what will become an annual event to help raise funds for the MSJC Foundation. The Foundation provides student scholarships, faculty grants and raises money for other philanthropic endeavors.

The evening included wine tasting, an elegant dinner, a student dance competition, Alumni & Friends Awards ceremony and entertainment by Splash!, a high-energy dance and vocal ensemble. The silent auction included art and entertainment packages.

Winners of the Student Dance Contest received scholarships. The panel of judges – Jim & Maggie Carter, owners of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa; Bob Madden, KATY 101.3 FM host; Jimmy Peters, Temecula Dance Company; Rose Salgado, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians council member –  added fun and expertise to the contest. Student dancers were:

Mariah Imbriaco – First place

Selvana Elwardany and Jonathan Drouault – Second place

Kait Wilhite – Third place

Kristina Bello

Rhea Bullinger

Joseline Lopez

Alumni & Friends Association Awards went to:

Lesia Navarro, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, San Jacinto Campus for Outstanding Staff Member of the Year.

John Bacher for Outstanding Community Volunteer for the Year

Ken Reed for Outstanding Alumni of the Year

Mt. San Jacinto College and the MSJC Foundation wish to thank all of those who attended the event and appreciate the support you give the students and the college.

A special thanks goes to the event Sponsors:

The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians

Francis & Jean Domenigoni Trust

Zampi, Determan & Erickson LLP

Altura Credit Union

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

CSEA Chapter 767

Don Domenigoni

Kuebler, Prudhomme & Company

Lori VanArsdale

Miller-Jones Mortuary and Cemetery

Pirot’s Towing

Riverside County Supervisors Marion Ashley & Jeff Stone

The Bank of Hemet

The Paquette Family

Valley Health Systems

S.W. Driver

gkkworks

Keenan & Associates

The Press-Enterprise

Inland Empire Magazine