Founder’s Day Provides Opportunity for Red Devils to Give Back
This year, as the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation commemorates Founder’s Day on March 27th, we are partnering with the West Lafayette High School Student Council to raise funds for the new RDP Gear Fund.
The RDP Gear Fund is available for school staff to use to help meet individual needs of students that arise throughout the school year. For example, funds can be used to purchase school supplies, provide sneakers or a uniform for PE class, and hygiene or personal products. The RDP Gear Fund is available to assist students in all three school buildings.
The community can participate by dining at Chipotle on Tuesday, March 25th from 5:00-9:00 PM. Please show this flyer, either printed or on your phone, and 25% of your order will be donated to the Foundation’s RDP Gear Fund. Donate Now!
Wall of Pride Class of 2025 To Be Recognized
The West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation and the West Lafayette Alumni Association are pleased to announce the seventh Wall of Pride class. Five distinguished alumni and two educators will be recognized for career accomplishments on Thursday and Friday, April 10-11, 2025.
The 2025 Wall of Pride class includes:
- Arnold Chen ’88 | Associate Professor, Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University
- Judy Edstrom ’66 | Leader, International Development Programs
- Jerrell Jimerson ’83 | Technology and Media Executive
- Smilin’ Jay McDowell ’87 | Musician
- Maura Pierce ’82 | Former Senior Protocol Officer, Office of the Chief of Protocol, U.S. Department of State
- Brian M. Rosenthal ’07 | Investigative Reporter, The New York Times
- Kathy Trout, Educator (Posthumous) | Art Teacher from 1979-2001
The inductees will be introduced to students at a convocation on Friday, April 11 at West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School. They will also visit select classes. The Wall of Pride ceremony is an annual event. Read about the Wall of Pride.
Hands Down, a Successful Night! 2025 Scarlet & Gray Dinner and Auction
David Lasater, Alayna DeWees and Kelly Kitchel participated as celebrity jockeys in the Paddle ‘Race’ to raise money for WLSEF Programs. Photo by Paul Owens.
What. A. NIGHT! Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, placed bids and supported this year’s Kentucky Derby themed Scarlet & Gray Dinner and Auction! We celebrated our amazing West Lafayette Schools while raising funds for teacher grants, the Backpack Program, and all of the initiatives of the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation.
The first ever PADDLE RACE was highly successful, with our three celebrity jockeys and their horses crossing the finish line by raising over $15,000!
Thank you to photographer Paul K Owens for capturing the fun that was had! We are so grateful to have these moments to remember how we came together to support West Lafayette Schools through the Foundation. As you’ll see, our guests understood the assignment and showed up in their finest Derby wear!
A special shout-out to the planning committee and our donors and sponsors. This event would not have been successful without you! You can still view the event site to see the fabulous auction packages that were sold and the generous sponsors who made this event possible.
By the numbers:
- 16 sponsors
- 150 attendees
- 200+ items donated for the auction
- 521 bids placed
- $15,775 raised in the Paddle Race
- And a total of $47,000 raised for Foundation programs!
Thank you again! Your support for the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation is unmatched!
Scarlet & Gray is an annual event and the largest fundraiser of the year to benefit the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation. Scarlet & Gray is a time for the Red Devil community to gather and celebrate what is accomplished when we work together to support our schools. Money raised from Scarlet & Gray funds initiatives of the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation.
Scarlet & Gray guests enjoy dinner at the Beck Agricultural Center. Photo by Paul Owens.
View Scarlet & Gray Event Photos by Paul Owens
Upcoming Events
- April 10-11, 2025 | Wall of Pride Events
- May 22, 2025 | Scholarship Recognition and Reception
- May 23, 2025 | Graduation
- June 20-22, 2025 | Class of 1985 Reunion
- July 18-20, 2025 | Class of 1980 Reunion
- August 6, 2025 | First day of school
- September 26, 2025 | Homecoming and Alumni Tailgate
- September 26-28, 2025 | Class of 1975 Reunion
Keep in touch!
Planning a class reunion? Receive a job promotion? Win an award or receive recognition? Share your news with your alma mater! The West Lafayette Alumni Association would love to share your news in the Devil’s Advocate newsletter. Visit the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation website and submit your update today!
Want to help?
Get involved today with a donation to WLSEF!