Guests Get Wild for College Dreams at CBO's Annual Gala

On Saturday, May 19, 2018, College Bound Opportunities (CBO) hosted the Born to be Wild Gala at the Lake Shore Harley-Davidson dealership in Libertyville. Presented by Victory Park Capital and Giordano’s, the event is CBO’s premier benefit and raised more than $260,000 to support CBO’s mission, programs and, most importantly, its Scholars.

More than 250 guests from around the North Shore donned their biker gear in support of college dreams. “CBO’s Born to Be Wild Gala was not only a success from a fundraising standpoint, it was, in my opinion, our best gala ever! Attendees embraced the “Harley” theme and arrived to the event decked out in Harley t-shirts, leather and jeans,” said Melanie Hanig, Gala Chair.

Guests enjoyed creative cocktails and beer provided by CH Distillery, Constellation Brands, Master of Mixes and North Shore Distillery, in addition to the delicious food provided by An Apple A Day and House 406. The gala featured a “Lucky Shot” mystery prize game, temporary tattoos, a live band, a Fund A Scholar paddle raise and fantastic live auction. The live auction included exclusive items such as a weekend stay at Jackson Hole’s newest boutique hotel Calderra House, a dinner to preview new menu items at John des Rosier’s Inovasi, and an original, four-panel painting by CBO Scholar and artist Ivan Hernandez Salinas.

“What really made this year’s gala so special though was our guest artist and speaker, CBO Scholar Ivan Hernandez Salinas. Ivan, a graduating senior at Highland Park High School, worked throughout the evening on a four-part art installation that was auctioned off in a heated bidding war,” Ms. Hanig explained. “The story of his struggle to stay at HPHS, his perseverance and his sheer determination to go to college were captured in a stunning poem he performed, which moved the audience to tears. Ivan is the reason we do this gala year after year. When the CBO students speak, when we hear their stories, when we see and hear their successes – that is when we are reminded how special and truly important CBO is.”

About College Bound Opportunities:

College Bound Opportunities mentors, empowers and inspires low-income, first-generation scholars to overcome barriers, graduate college and achieve success in life. CBO works with high-achieving students at Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Highland Park and Lake Forest high schools, and Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan who lack the institutional knowledge and familial support to apply to and succeed in college. CBO achieves its goals through a program of 1:1 mentoring between volunteers and scholars, in addition to providing tutoring, extensive workshops on various topics, laptop computers and up to $16,000 in financial support for college. Learn more at cbo4success.org or find us on Facebook.