Patrons Council hosted Wowlapawzoola at the Discovery Center of the Brookfield Zoo on Friday, April 3rd. The event served as the council’s fundraiser for the year.

Patron’s Council is a parent-run organization that has held talent shows, fashion shows, and other fundraisers including this year’s Wowlapawzoola. Wowlapawzoola is a parody of the music festival Lollapalooza, held in various cities across the nation every year.

Wowlapawzoola was an event intended for adults with RB entertainment. Performances from the Junior Varsity and Varsity Cheerleaders as well as the Marching Pep Band kicked off the event at about 7:00. The RB madrigal choir soon followed, performing two songs for the audience.

Speech team member Arianna Baretto, who placed 6th in state, performed poetry for the audience. The Repertory Dance Company and Orchesis performed,  and the state champion RB Twirl Team also performed.

After a short intermission, the crowd’s attention was captivated by the RB Jazz Ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble was a crowd favorite of the night.

 Laughs echoed as Speech Team’s State Champion in Original Comedy Zeyne Guzeldereli ended the performances for the night. Throughout the night, Jazz Combo, some members of the National Honor Society,. And Best Buddies also involved in helping out.

After all of the performances, a fashion show took place on stage. The fashion show was a prom preview featuring student senior models. The crowd marveled as students walked up and down the catwalk with their escorts in their prom attire.

The fashion portion of the fundraiser used to be the entire event. While the fashion show was still the main event this year, the entire fundraiser was adjusted in order to include more students, organizations, and groups from RB. 

There was a goal of raising $10,000 this year during the fundraising. Apart from the RB entertainment, other activities occurred such as a silent auction, where art from RB students and others was on display and for sale. Photographs and even a decorated garden chair were up for auction. Raffle tickets were sold for prizes such as gift baskets filled with candy and other various treats.

Another raffle titled the “Heads and Tails” raffle also took place. Contestants purchased ribbons for $10 that allowed them to walk on the dance floor where a coin was tossed. Before tossing the coin contestants had to either hold their heads, or their “tails”. After the result was called, contestants with the wrong guess were disqualified.

This was repeated until there was only one contestant left. The raffle resulted with tails being called each time. The winner of the raffle was rewarded with a year of paid gas and groceries.

Another raffle, this one with $500 and $300 cash prizes, was also held with the help of a Best Buddies member.

Over the course of the night, food and drink were served to guests who paid the $50 entrance fee.  Money raised will be used to fund classroom and department grants, college scholarships, community service projects, parent education programs, and other programs.

In the past, Patrons Council has financed Post Prom, family networking directories, Senior Award Night, monthly information forums, memorial gifts, parent support groups, new Jazz Band instruments, and more.

--Submitted by Brian Wilson, Staff Reporter