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Enchanted Garden Gala
Welcome Letter
Events Schedule
Auction Details
Recognitions

Welcome to the 12th Annual Friends of MIP Fundraising Gala - Enchanted Garden!

This year, inspired by the hope, resilience and optimism that the year of the rabbit represents, we celebrate the past and current success of the MIP community with an eye toward an even larger and more successful future. We hope you enjoy this evening of dinner, dancing, and giving with fellow Mandarin Immersion Program supporters.

In our theme of Enchanted Garden, we focus tonight on the upcoming “harvest” of the first MIP class graduation next year as well as look back at the “planting” that has occurred these past dozen years. So many teachers, instructional assistants, families, staff, administrators and supporters are to be recognized and honored for cultivating this program from the beginning. Helping it to grow from an inspired idea into an award winning dual language immersion program. Truly a “hidden gem of south OC”. The examples of the founding families and teachers inspires us to dream big and strive tirelessly for our goals. The energy and enthusiasm of the more recently joined families rallies us to support the program and keep improving year after year so that future classes may enjoy the fruits of the program well into the future.

This year has also felt like an inflection point for the program. No longer a program struggling to survive and be taken seriously. Now recognized as a key part of an award winning Language Immersion Program supporting bilteracy through the California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award. The focus is to continue to grow the program enrollment and support structure through partnerships with organizations and businesses beyond just families who have students in the program.

So, let’s gather at this gala and enjoy the success and devote some of our resources to funding the program. But also we should network with one another. Get to know some new friends and create some synergy and energy to seek out new opportunities for funding. Find inspiration to recruit new member families to the program. T proceeds from this evening’s event are critically important to the continued excellence of the Mandarin Immersion Program at Capistrano Valley High, Bergeson Elementary and Newhart Middle Schools. Funds raised tonight will help pay for the features of our program that distinguish it as exceptional: Mandarin Chinese-speaking Instructional Assistants, educator training and professional development, advanced learning technologies, and cultural enrichment activities.

- 謝謝 Xie Xie,

Kevin Welker
President
Friends of MIP Executive Board

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Schedule of Events

Time
Event
4:30
Doors open for arrivals and registration. Check-in begins.
5:00
Bar opens: cash bar and appetizers
5:45
Dining room opens
6:00
Welcome Address: Isabella Yiu, Vice President
Gala Committee Recognition
Speech: Kevin Welker, President
Board Recognition
Principal's Acknowledgement: Judith Murphine, Newhart Middle School Principal
6:15
Game: Dash Card
6:25
Entrées served
Speech: Dr. Rowena Mak, Director of Language Acquisition
6:50
Game: Hot Potato
​Live Auction
7:30
Dessert served
​MIP Parent Speech: Paula Yousef
Fund-a-Need
Raffle prize announcement
8:00
Dancing begins. Hotel bar reopens.
9:30
Auction items pick up begins
10:00
Gala ends - until next year!
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Live and Silent Auction Procedures

You will receive your bid number and bid stickers at registration. Your bid number and bid stickers are your keys to all the wonderful items available at this evening’s event. Your bid number may be used to purchase opportunity drawings and wine pull entries as well as live auction items.
 
After the live auction is completed, checkout will be processed by Auction Event Solutions (AES) as explained at check in. Your live auction and game prizes items will be bundled by bid number and ready for you to pick up. You are responsible to pay in full or for all items won at the end of the event. Silent auction items will be available for pick up after March 31, 2023. If you have any questions, please feel free to email vp@friendsofmip.com.
 
By registering/attending this event, you are subject to and agree to the terms and conditions of the silent and live auction, as well as usage of your image or likeness on the Friends of MIP web site, on social media, and/or on any other Friends of MIP collateral. To receive a copy of the terms and conditions of the live auction, please email vp@friendsofmip.com.​
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Live Auction - Lot 1

Medical Spa Treatments from Halcyon Dermatology. Value - $1,000
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Any medical spa treatments of your choice including Botox, fillers, hydra facial treatments and more.
Donated by Dr. Kathy Lee from Halcyon Dermatology.

Live Auction - Lot 2

​Birthday Party Package
90 minutes of celebration with live ponies to bring to your party! Includes pony rides, mane braiding and pose for pictures with the ponies. This package also includes everyone's favorite dessert - ice cream from Handels! You'll also receive a one-hour professional photography session from Katie Peoples (our official Gala photographer!) and ​four tickets to Knott's Berry Farm.

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Live Ponies

Pony rides donated by John Wood, Trinity Counseling Ministries, INC.
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1 Hour Family Session

Professional photography session donated by Katie Peoples
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$30 Handel's Ice Cream 
​Gift Card

 Gift card donated by Handel's
​Ice Cream Laguna Niguel
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Knott's Berry Farm

Four tickets for a full day of amusement park fun donated by Knott's Berry Farm

Live Auction - Lot 3A and 3B

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Do your kids like to take FOREVER to find/put their shoes on in the mornings? Are your afternoons planned around leaving in time to get a “spot” in the pick-up line? Or do you constantly battle the stressful morning/afternoon traffic and ticking clock to get to Bergeson with enough time for your kid to run to class or to sit in line for what seems like hours to pick up your child? What if you could drive right up and park in your very own spot in the Teacher’s lot for an ENTIRE YEAR? If you’d like to avoid the stresses of drop-off/pick-up time and be a happier parent next year, then this is the package for you!

Two reserved parking spots donated by Principle Jayne Martin and Bergeson Elementary


Live Auction - Lot 4


Luxury Resorts in Mexico
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Winners choose from a luxury collection of beach front resorts located in stunning destinations along the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, where everything has been created for happiness! Enjoy luxurious accommodations, endless pools, world-class restaurants, activities for all ages, and staff that caters to your every need. You will enjoy a vacation filled with fun, relaxation, and the very best service in Mexico. With multiple destinations offering distinctly unique and beautiful locales to experience, every trip can offer new exciting ways to vacation with the same comfortable and friendly atmosphere.

  • 7-night stay in Grand Mayan Vidanta resort 
  • The Master Room - 1 studio bedroom and 1 bathroom 
  • Accommodates up to 4 people (2 adults and 2 children age 12 and under)
  • Choice of premiere destination: Cancun/Riviera Maya, Nuevo Vallarta, Acapulco, Puerto Penasco, and Puerto Vallarta
The Master Room features a king-size bed, one bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, a TV, and a private terrace with a view. Enjoy views of the ocean and pools from your private balcony.

Live Auction - Lot 5
Splendid Alpine Setting - Lake Tahoe, NV

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Discover an alpine paradise at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. Nestled within the Sierra Mountain Range, the stunning locale of this Four Diamond Lake Tahoe hotel is the ideal setting for your next getaway! Tempt Lady Luck in the casino, ease tired muscles with a deep-tissue massage in the world-class spa, savor delicious cuisine, and relax in luxurious amenities to wind down after a spectacular outdoor adventure!

Treat yourself to a true taste of the outdoors! For those who want to do more than just look out over majestic countrysides, this is your chance to explore the landscape! Mountain bike over rough terrain; hike through breathtaking natural environs; ride over the earth by Jeep, ATV, or horse; or dash through the snow on a snowmobile (where applicable). You have the flexibility to choose the activity you want! So get ready for an unrivaled outdoor experience, and memories that will last a lifetime!
Your getaway for two includes:
  • 3 days/2 nights accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino
  • Room-related taxes
  • Outdoor Adventure Experience offers a choice of snowmobiling (where applicable), ATV, Jeep rides, hiking tours, mountain biking or horseback riding (travelers must select same activity)
  • Free concierge reservation service​

Live Auction - Lot 6

A Feast for the Senses in the Gourmet Destination of Cortona, Italy (Europe)
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If you're looking for the charm and romance of Tuscany, you'll find it during an escape to Cortona, one of Tuscany's oldest hill towns, where strolls down the narrow medieval streets reward you with glimpses of impressive churches and incredible views of the countryside. With accommodations in a cozy one-bedroom apartment, you're perfectly poised to explore the romance of Tuscany, breathtaking scenery, historic cities, medieval art, impeccable wines and divine cuisine, and an enviable proximity to Florence and Rome. The region is a true feast for your senses, and the finishing touches to this Tuscan trip are a wine tasting and a cooking demonstration followed by dinner - buon appetito!

Savor every sip during your wine tasting experience at a renowned wine bar in the main square of Cortona. A professional sommelier will lead you through tasting three different Tuscan wines as you learn about Italy's sixth largest wine producing region, one of the most iconic in the world. The Sangiovese grape is king in Tuscany, and produces sublime red wines, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Towards the Tuscan coast, a very different style of wine, the Super Tuscan, may be produced, usually made by blending a little Sangiovese with non-native grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wine bar is just a few minutes walk away from your apartment.

Taste the renowned Tuscan cuisine through a fun and delicious experience, where a local chef will let you in on the secrets of the Italian kitchen, revealing tips for perfecting your culinary art. After the demonstration, head to the table for a fabulous traditional meal during which you'll get to taste the decadent cuisine. Tuscan food is based on the Italian idea of cucina povera or "poor cooking", a concept of simple meals that are inexpensive and could easily be made in large amounts. You won't find complicated seasonings or elaborate creations in Tuscan food because they’re not needed. Instead it’s made using fresh, high-quality ingredients that bring out the natural flavors in each dish, simple or not. Whether foraging for truffles or mushrooms, taking in the grape harvest or sampling a genuine bottle of Tuscan olive oil, in Tuscany, local and homegrown food is a lifestyle! Some classic dishes include affettati misti, crostini di fegato, ribollita, papa al pomodoro and panzanella. Tuscans also love cannellini beans - they're not called mangiafagioli (bean eaters) for nothing! - which they use to prepare meals such as zuppa di fagioli, fagioli con salsiccia or fagioli all'uccelletto.

Just one hour drive from arguably the most beautiful city in the world, Florence, and less than two hours' drive to historic Rome, Tuscany hosts innumerable astounding localities, many of which are also named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Tuscany is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces. Cortona, with its medieval walls still intact, sits in a strategic position overlooking the valley that leads south into Umbria and towards Rome. Spend some time exploring the landmarks of this historic city, such as the Piazza della Republica, the 13th century town hall and clock tower that is now one of Cortona's main plazas, or the Duomo, the Renaissance cathedral featuring an 11th century facade and gorgeous 16th and 17th century paintings inside. Fra' Angelico lived and worked in Cortona during the late 14th century, and artists Luca Signorelli and Pietro da Cortona were both born within the city's walls. You can now find all three artists' works in the Museo Diocesano.
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Your trip for two includes:
• 7 days/6 nights accommodations in a One-Bedroom Apartment
• Wine tasting of 3 different tuscan wines
• Cooking show with dinner and wine
• One midweek maid service

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Thank You to our Sponsors
Friends of MIP is grateful to these companies for their tremendous support

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Virtue Level Sponsor - $3,000
​Nielsen

Nielsen is a leading global data and analytics company that provides a holistic and objective understanding of the media industry. With offerings spanning audience measurement, audience outcomes and content, Nielsen offers its clients and partners simple solutions to complex questions and optimizes the value of their investments and growth strategies. It is the only company that can offer de-duplicated cross-media audience measurement. Audience is Everything(TM) to Nielsen and its clients, and Nielsen is committed to ensuring that every voice counts.
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Joy Level Sponsor - $2,500
Halcyon Dermatology

Located in Laguna Hills, California, Halcyon was founded by Dr. Kathy Lee. Dr. Kathy Lee grew up in Indiana and attended Washington University in St. Louis where she received her undergraduate degree, Masters degree, and Doctor of Medicine degree. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine and Dermatology residency at Indiana University in Indianapolis. Dr. Lee is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology (Board Certified) and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She previously served on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Residency Review Committee for Dermatology and as the national president of the Asian Pacific American Medical Students' Association (APAMSA). Dr. Lee's clinical interests include medical and pediatric dermatology, lasers, ethnic skin, and cosmetic dermatology.
Dr. Lee is the founder of En Plein Air, a charity that utilizes the latest scar removal technology to benefit adult and pediatric patients in need.
www.halcyonderm.com
(949) 266-0216
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Good Fortune Level Sponsor - $1,000
Plus Home Technologies

With over 20 years in the technology industries, we offer our experience and expertise to your home. One of the biggest investments you will make in a lifetime, owning a home does not stop after escrow closes, it begins. 
Ask us about:


  • Smart Home Technologies
  • Internet Services
  • Whole Home network
  • Home Surveillance Systems

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Good Fortune Level Sponsor - $1,000
Pediatrics - Dr. Lisa Hoang and
​Dr. Jonathan Maynard
​Mission Heritage Medical Group is home to a team of board-certified primary care physicians and specialists serving the South Orange County communities. With more than 90 physicians and locations throughout South Orange County, our physicians will treat you when you're sick, and keep you well with innovative programs and specialized services.
Please visit 
https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/mission-heritage-medical-group for more information.

Our Generous Donors:

Actio Aquatics
​Adventure City Anaheim
Aquarium of the Pacific
The Art Academy of Magic Castle
​Azarian Gymnastics
Calo Mexican Kitchen
Chance Theater Tickets
Costco
Divine Serenity Aesthetics
​Elements Massage
Evolution Swim
Halcyon Dermatology
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
Harrah’s Las Vegas
The Hills Hotel

Im=X Pilates Laguna Niguel
Knotts Berry Farm
Krav Maga of Orange County

Little Peoples Photography
Mathnasium A+
​Mona Rose Studios
Muse Sushi Laguna Niguel
Nielsen
Olympica Gymnastics
​Plus Home Technologies
Salt Creek Winery
Seafood Cove #2
Segerstrom Center
Sender One
Sin Lee Food Corporation
Snooze AM Eatery
Soul & Beauty Medx
South Coast Repertory
Thoughtful Massage
Total Wine
Trinity Counseling Ministries, inc
Tutu School of Laguna Niguel
Uncorked Wine

Mary Baldwin 
Jacqueline Beaumont
Camille Brown

Melody Brown
Denton Chase
Jennifer Gatewood
Jodi Hoffman
Dr. Lisa Hoang

Iris Lai
Dr. Kathy Lee
Joe Lovullo
Principal Jayne Martin
Dr. Jonathan Maynard
Principal John Misustin

Principal Judith Murphine
Jennifer Pang
The Shar Family
​Janey Sherman
Andy Tang

Ronnie Torres
Vanna Tran and Vi Tang
Alexandra Welker

Gala Volunteers
Julianne Finkelnburg
Monica Pi
Janey Sherman
Vanna Tran
Alexandra Welker
Kevin Welker
Isabella Yiu
Auctioneer - Zack Krone
California Coast Auctions
949-456-2935
www.cacoastauctions.com

Auction Event Solutions, LLC
Eileen Hayden
(949) 422-2488
www.auctioneventsolutions.com

DJ - Luis Lizalde
Prestige Event Productions
(714) 552-0680 | PrestigeEventPros@gmail.com
www.PrestigeEventPros.com

Photographer - Katie Peoples
Little Peoples Photography

Live Auction Items
Mitch Stuart, INC.
Michael Upp
(949) 276-9906
29982 Ivy Glenn Dr,  Suite 200
​Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
www.mitchstuart.com

Raise Away Co.
David Valentine
david@raiseaway.co
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​Marian Bergeson Elementary
Attn: Friends of MIP 
25302 Rancho Niguel Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Friends of MIP is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
EIN: 46-4371590
Parent Facebook pages:
MIP at Bergeson
MIP at Newhart

MIP at Capo Valley High School (CVHS)

​Official Facebook page:
Friends of MIP

Disclaimer:  This website is not approved by the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD). This site is owned and designed by the Friends of Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP). The group makes every effort to provide accurate and up-date information on its website, however, parents should contact CUSD for answers to questions critical to their children's education. 

​This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  

  • ABOUT US
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  • GET INVOLVED
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  • EVENTS
    • Annual Gala
    • Annual Community Events >
      • Chinese Poetry Recital
    • MIP in the Media
  • RESOURCES
    • Parent Resources >
      • Adult Mandarin Classes
    • LIPAC
    • MIPAC Meetings