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Join us as we set sail for an elegant evening at the Academy at the Lakes Gala and Auction!
Friday, February 27, 2026
7pm at Armature Works
Step aboard for cocktails, a delicious seated dinner, and an evening full of surprises, music, and merriment!
Celebrate with us at our annual semi-formal, adults-only event!
All sales final.
Questions? Contact Sue Gunther at [email protected].
7:00pm: Cocktail Hour
7:45pm: Doors open for seating
8:05pm: Program and Live Appeal
8:45pm: Dinner service
9:00pm: Dueling pianos, casino games, caricature artists, and photo booth begins
Coffee and dessert station opens
10:30pm: Silent Auction closes
10:50pm: Send Your Teacher Packing, Division Cocktail winners announced, and Auction item pick-up begins
11:00pm: Event concludes
Complimentary valet parking will be available for all Academy guests!
The valet can be accessed by entering Market Street from Palm Ave.
The Gala & Auction will be held in the Gathering space.
Please visit the check-in table if you requested a vegetarian meal.
You will need to collect a meal card to place at your seat. No further dietary requests can be accommodated at this time.
Purchased a reserved table? View our table map in the cocktail area.
Otherwise, table seating is open, creating a fantastic opportunity to mix and mingle with others from your class or Division!
To bid on silent auction items or donate to the Live Appeal, you will need to have a credit card on file.
Our Gala committee has worked EXTRA hard to provide detailed descriptions and photos for each listing. Don't forget photos can also be enlarged using the magnifying glass icon on each image.
This year, all silent auction items will be available at the venue and may be collected at the end of the evening.
If you are unable to attend, you may schedule a convenient pickup with the Advancement Team at the North House (2421 Collier Parkway) by calling 813-909-7919.
There is still time to purchase Send Your Teacher Packing raffle tickets for a chance to send your nominated teacher on a dream vacation of their choosing!
The raffle winner will win a $500 Southwest gift card, a $500 Marriott gift card, and a $100 Amazon gift card (for those last-minute travel supplies).
One entry for $10
Five for $40
Ten for $75
Sales will close Friday, February 27, at 10:30pm. The winner will be announced at 10:50pm.
Donated by the MacManus Family
Show your Division pride by supporting your Division Director's signature cocktail! Each Director is raising funds, and the one who raises the most will earn bragging rights and be crowned this year's champion.
The winning Division Director will be announced at 10:50pm.
McCormick Sea Spray
Gin & rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, topped with club soda
Jeweled Sunrise
Vodka or rum, orange juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, topped with ginger ale
Sciortino Shipwreck
Vodka, cranberry, ginger beer, squeeze of lime, lime slice
