Hononegah HOPE Foundation raises funds and fun with “Touch of the Tropics"
The HOPE Foundation began in 1997 and has provided thousands in grants to the school.
Flamingos, palm trees, and island-themed decorations transformed the Rockton American Center into Hononegah Community High School’s “A Touch of the Tropics” for the HOPE Foundation’s spring fundraiser on Saturday evening, April 5, 2025. Guests were welcomed by friendly volunteers and given colorful leis to wear.
Many embraced the theme with Hawaiian shirts, summer dresses, sunglasses, hats, and even captain outfits. Others went for a more relaxed, fun look. The evening began with a cocktail hour followed by a buffet-style dinner served by the Hoffman House. Throughout the night, guests enjoyed raffles, a 50/50 drawing, a silent auction, music, dancing, and lively conversation as friends caught up around the room.
Souvenir cups featuring a picture of flamingos and the words “Let’s Flamingo” were available to everyone in attendance. One of the standout silent auction items was a pair of colorful chairs, painted by HCHS student Elliott Towne, that matched the tropical décor. Other auction items included handcrafted jewelry, a wine tasting for 10, a pass to the Ledges Pool, Ice Hogs tickets, a flat top grill, and a wide variety of themed baskets. Two “booze wagons” also drew great attention from guests.
Entertainment for the evening included a performance by the band Nauti Nauti, which delivered breezy musical vibes with their “yacht rock” and pop/rock style. The group played numbers from the 1970s and the pre-MTV era, setting a fun tone for the evening. Cathy Bellich State Farm Insurance sponsored the band.
Andy Gannon served as master of ceremonies, keeping the event on track throughout the night. Toward the end of the evening, four $500 cash prize winners were announced, followed by the grand prize winner of $2,000: Loves Park Motorsports.
HOPE Vice President Tom Polaski addressed the crowd and welcomed both returning supporters and first-time attendees. “This is the 23rd year of HOPE Foundation Touch of Spring events,” Polaski said. “We have people who have come back year and year again, we are very grateful for all of your support. I want to welcome anyone who has not been here before and you are going to have a fun time tonight.”
Polaski gave special thanks to the table sponsors. Siepert and Company sponsored the silent auction, while Gold Steel Work in Beloit sponsored the booze raffle. He then asked the crowd to join him in a moment of silence to honor the memory of Steve Cofoid.
“We lost a great one this week. I had him as a student, and as a football player. He was also my neighbor, and I had him as a colleague,” Polaski said. “He was more than just that, he was a friend to everybody. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful individual.” Polaski asked everyone to take a moment to think about what Steve Cofoid had done for the community.
HOPE Foundation President Pat Hoey gave the blessing before the meal and expressed his gratitude. “We have great feeder schools, those feeder schools serve into our wonderful Hononegah Community High School. We have great organizations such as the HOPE Foundation and all the community members joined tonight that help raise money to ensure that the faculty and staff, students, and parents have great opportunities for all the equipment, all the special needs for the students and the faculty.”
Hoey also offered a special blessing for the Cofoid family, who have supported HOPE Foundation events for many years and were unable to attend this year’s event.
A featured part of the evening was the ring raffle, which showcased a custom-designed ring donated by the Gem Shop & Diamond Source. The ring included a 14x10 natural turquoise stone set in 14k yellow gold. An intricate gold leaf pattern covered the center stone. Proceeds from the raffle support a scholarship in memory of Jan Modersohn, who served as Rockton Village Clerk from 1991 to 2009 and was a strong advocate for youth. The scholarship amount has grown from its original $500 to $1,000.
The HOPE Foundation began in 1997 under the direction of then-Superintendent Ralph Marshall. Over the years, the foundation has supported a range of educational and community projects, including a heritage mural, tutorial programs, teacher grants, annual programming, student scholarships, the purchase of two AEDs for the athletic department, retractable batting cages, a 2014 renovation feasibility study, graphic calculators for the math department, laptops for the physics department, a new video scoreboard for the field house, digital training for the physical education department, new trophy cases, power tools for the wood shop and construction lab, $25,000 toward new digital scoreboards, and the purchase of a 40-acre tract of land for future use.
Current board members include President Pat Hoey, Vice President Tom Polaski, Secretary Hannah Schoenberg, and Treasurer Brian Barnhardt. Board members and Foundation Coordinators are Rachel Clark Erickson, Bonnie Gundry, Rich Lewis, Teal Bainbridge, Nic Haab, Cathy Bellich, Deb Swanson, Chuck Gilbert, Ray Ferguson, Tiffany Warren, and Event Coordinator Kelly Rosik. Jacob Schenk serves as the web designer. HCHS Principal Chad Dougherty, Diane Eymann, and Kelly Rosik serve as administrative advisors.
Once grant recipients are selected, they are notified discreetly so they can order the items before the end of May. Polaski and other trustees will attend the May faculty meeting to announce the recipients. “This is always a fun time,” Polaski said.
During HCHS’s 100th year celebration and Homecoming in 2022, the HOPE Foundation helped bring alumni together for a “Feast on the Field” tailgate party. Each HOPE Foundation fundraiser continues to open doors to future educational opportunities at Hononegah.
