EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Venetian Masquerade Ball
Immerse yourself in the elegance of a Venetian Masquerade Ball. Come in your black tie or your finest Venetian attire and don a mask to add a touch of mystery to the evening.
Connect and Support
A parents’ night out to meet and mingle with other families and members of our vibrant school community. This is a wonderful opportunity to build connections, strengthen relationships and show your support for our school’s mission and programs.
Silent Auction
Bid on an array of exciting items and experiences in our silent auction. From exclusive getaways to unique local experiences, there’s something for everyone. Every bid supports our school’s initiatives and enhances the educational experience for our students. Even if you aren’t able to join us at the ball, you will be able to bid from afar.
VC Legacy Experiences
A tradition that began in 2022 at the Centenary Ball. Have the opportunity to explore these unique offerings as part of the silent auction, and bid on priceless Vancouver College legacy experiences you won’t see anywhere else!
Treasure Raffle
Purchase raffle tickets for an 1-in-200 chance to win an extraordinary jewelry piece worth a over $18,000.
NEW THIS YEAR - even if you are not able to attend, you will have a chance to be part of this exciting Treasure raffle by purchasing a ticket beginning at 9:00am on October 23rd until 5:00pm on November 1st. You do not need to be in attendance to be the winner.
Wine Wall - NEW!
This year we are introducing a curated wine wall where anyone that purchases a ticket will be guaranteed to win a bottles of wine. To be part of the excitement and have a chance to win exclusive wines, you must be present at the event.
Exclusive Live Auction
Our renowned and highly anticipated live auction is only available to attendees. Don’t miss your chance to win extraordinary items and experiences while supporting our school.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 5:30pm Reception & 7:00pm Dinner Seating
(This year’s event is scheduled until 2am!)
Location: Westin Bayshore Hotel (Book a Room Now)
Dress Code: Black Tie / Venetian attire with masks (Read more)
Tickets: Available for Purchase Now
“We look forward to celebrating with you and making this night a memorable one for all! Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our Vancouver College school community.
Let’s make a difference together! Semper Fidelis!”
Stephanie Burns Staiano and Betty Chuck, Co-Chairs, Finnegan Ball 2024
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE FINNEGAN BALL?
In the late 1920s, Vancouver College’s alumni organized the Annual Winter Frolic, held at the Peter Pan Ballroom in Vancouver on West Broadway. The Peter Pan Ballroom is remembered as one of the last ballrooms to go to for dancing on Saturday nights.
In 1979, the event was reintroduced as the Vancouver College Annual Dinner-Auction, interchangeably called the Alumni Auction Dinner Dance. The gala, held in the transformed Alumni Gymnasium, was the school’s largest fundraiser of the year that brought alumni and current parents together for a worthy cause.
The “College Auction Committee” organized a variety of silent auction gifts and guests danced to live music by the school band directed by Gordon Olson and later by his son, Larry Olson (VC 1977) and sometimes, other local orchestras and bands.
In 1993, on its 15th anniversary, the Annual Dinner-Dance Auction gala was moved from the school Gymnasium to the Hotel Vancouver. From then, subsequent galas were held off campus at large venue hotels including the Westin Bayshore Hotel, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel, Pan Pacific Hotel, and most recently, at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.
In 1999, the gala was rebranded as The Finnegan Ball and has retained this moniker since. It wasn’t until 1958, when the school decided to use “Fighting Irish'' as the moniker for all athletic teams, that Vancouver College adopted a new icon, the Finnegan. Since then, Finnegan has been Vancouver College’s beloved mascot, decked out in his purple and gold suit. Our spirit is personified by our mascot: the Finnegan. The Finnegan Ball is traditionally held in November (except in 2004 when it was held twice - in February for Finnegan’s Silver Ball and again in November that year).
In the Spring, Save the Date cards are sent to unveil the theme of the next year’s gala and in the Fall, the coveted tickets sell out year over year. In recent years, creative teams of parents brought to life visions of Winter White, 80s Night, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and Hollywood Glam. And sure enough, Vancouver College parents do their homework, arriving each year on point and dressed for the occasion.
The ultimate parents’ date night, Finnegan Ball seats parents in the same grade or same teams together for a formal dinner and is a fun opportunity to meet and reacquaint with fellow parents. Away from the dinner table, guests dance the night away, pose for a professional portrait, purchase raffle tickets for designer jewellery, bring home a commemorative gift, or bid on one-of-a-kind Vancouver College packages, or sport team memorabilia, among other gifts at the silent auction.
Each year, however, it is the live auction of the Finnegan Ball that steals the show. Co-hosted by an auctioneer and sometimes the Vancouver College Principal, the auction invigorates the room as spirited parents raise their cards to support their school. In addition to the President’s parking space and holidays in vacation homes, parents also bid to contribute to new mats for the school gym, new bleachers, new football fields and new chairs for the chapel. Perhaps one of the most memorable auction items in Vancouver College history, in 1984, a pig, endearingly named the O’Hagan Pig, was auctioned for $600 and later donated to the Brothers.
Late into the evening, as you leave the Finnegan Ball and descend back down those white steps, a team of parents has begun the clean-up and takedown of the event and you are reminded that each year the Finnegan Ball comes to fruition as the result of legions of fellow parents who chair the event, lead event teams, design the décor, source the centrepieces, staff the coat check, organize the silent auction, and perform cashiering duties, among other tasks. All guests and volunteers are grateful for the mutual sharing of gifts of time and treasure and for contributing towards the success of Finnegan Ball.
In November 2022, after hosting virtual Finnegan Balls in 2020 and 2021, the Centennial Finnegan Ball was held at the Parq Vancouver Hotel, while the 2023 event was held at the Faimont Pacific Rim. Its return was certainly an endeavour to compensate for lost time and our faith and learning community can come together on this special evening in support of our students.
2023 - Bloom
Strength in Diversity is where we begin our new century at Vancouver College, and this year's Fund the Need - The Gift of Education focuses on continuing our school's legacy as a diverse faith and learning community. Funds raised will help families and students who need assistance with tuition and co-curricular fees in support of the development of the whole person - academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
The 2023 Finnegan Ball theme “Bloom” represents a garden of deep roots, growth, and diverse landscapes. Join us as we Bloom into our next century.
We believe. We belong. We are Irish.
2022 - Centenary Celebration
What a night!
On behalf of the entire Finnegan Ball team, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making the centenary celebration the experience of a lifetime. We are so honored and proud of the way our community came together in support of our boys.
We are also very pleased to announce that thanks to your generosity, just over $420,000 was raised. This includes a $50,000 gift anonymously given by a family who was not able to attend Finnegan Ball but wanted to contribute to the Fund-a-Need.
MEET OUR CO-CHAIRS
Stephanie Burns Staiano & Betty Chuck
Stephanie Burns Staiano and Betty Chuck are once again returning as Co-Chairs for the much anticipated 2024 “Finnegan Venetian Masquerade Ball” following a hugely successful, sold out “Bloom” event in 2023 with the distinction of raising the most funds of any Finnegan Ball in the history of Vancouver College.
Both Chairs have spent many years leading, supporting and organizing fundraising events, from committee positions, to event operations and production. Both Betty and Stephanie want to leave a lasting legacy by supporting VC fundraising through the Finnegan Ball and look forward to being in-service again to produce this extraordinary event.
MEET OUR FINNEGAN BALL COMMITTEE
Michele Co, Secretary
Michele Lau, Treasurer
Barbara Paredes, Acquisitions
Jennifer Yankanna, Acquisitions
Karen Mendoza, Acquisitions
Lindsey Harman, Acquisitions
Sarah Mah Ming, Acquisitions
Stephanie Bonn, Acquisitions
Stephanie Yorath , Acquisitions
Tracy Noel, Acquisitions
Danielle Campbell, Auction Write Ups
Melissa Carr, Auction Write Ups
Marco Iannuzzi, Auctioneer
Aimee and Ryan Fines, Cash Team
Janice Sayson, Cash Team
Tammy Hon, Cash Team
Kay Howard Jones, Communication
Annette Cheung, Communications
Krista Dosen, Communications
Carolyn Sussey, Décor
Jewel Mirano, Décor
Linda Aleong, Décor
Marivi Bacay, Décor
Nitsa Panago, Décor
Vanessa Tapia, Décor
Angela Nguan, Finnegan Treasure
Carolin Moorhouse, Finnegan Treasure
Andy Wang, Graphic Design
Vivian So, Graphic Design
Celia Yee, Information Booth
Jennifer Cojuco, Information Booth
Matena Kravariotis, Legacy & Live Auctions
Chris Gailus , Master of Ceremonies
Don Mazankowski, Night Logistics
Lisa Mazankowski, Night Logistics
Mike Larkin, Program and Powerpoint
Adrienne Martin, Revenue Generation
Ping Li, Security
Sally (Liu) Yi, Security
Victoria (Tiantian) Xu, Security
Vanessa Richter, Silent Auction Admin
Lisa Mullen, Silent Auction Admin
Maggie Lee, Silent Auction Photo Editor
Dianne Catapia, Silent Auction Set Up
Nhaji Urrutia, Silent Auction Set Up
Jenny Evans, Sponsorship
Krysteine Ryan, Sponsorship
Annie Mann, Ticket Sales & Seating
Christina Peerless, Ticket Sales & Seating
Max Xiao, Transport & Set Up
Grant Bryan, VC Student Volunteers
Heidi Rahn, VIP & Entertainment
Karen Van Pykstra, VIP & Entertainment
Cindy Ho, Volunteers Coordinator
John Tran, Website
SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
For all other questions, please use the form.