Star power helps to raise funds for Glenholme's Center for the Arts

On what began as a drizzling start to Parents’ Weekend the morning of May 2, was quickly brightened the moment James Marsden of the X-Men and leading man of 27 Dresses, made his mid-day entrance during the students' performance in the elegant tent that doubled as a dining hall and theater. Marsden joined the young people on stage and spoke briefly to parents, students, and faculty, followed by autographs and photo ops

Parent's Weekend is an annual Glenholme tradition where families spend an exciting day together on campus. The weekend customarily kicks off with a chorale performance by the students, who this year celebrated four decades of Glenholme with songs from the last forty years. Saturday delivered an active day of fun, music, art and much more. Rooms full of sound from percussion, piano, dance, and singing competed with those around the corner which explored "improv" with the young people, their parents and some staff. Activities included a bungee jump, go-karts, spinning classes for all, the premier of a student movie production, and the school's robotics team demonstration featured their special regional awards. The campus team competitions united parents, students, and staff in both a high energy basketball game and a rousing game of softball. For the truly daring, adrenaline junkies, the zip line sailed them one by one across the field twenty feet in the air.

This year Parents' Weekend celebrated the ground breaking for their Center for the Arts. Joining Glenholme’s Executive Director, Maryann Campbell, were Devereux's Chief Operating Officer, Maggie McGill, Glenholme's Advisory Board Chair, Rick Doucette, along with his wife Debbie, several board members, Maureen Holohan, David O. Russell, Barbara Feeney, Stuart Flaum and special guest James Marsden. The crowd of more than 350 amassed on the hillside overlooking the site for the Center for the Arts and listened to speakers, who took a moment at the microphone enlightening the onlookers about the progress of school's fundraising efforts and the effects philanthropy has had on the school's arts program. Marsden spoke to the student body and parents about his young school years in the seventh grade, when he took his first steps on stage and how the arts provided a venue which allowed him to develop as a person.

Parents' Weekend culminated with two lively auction events, one held for the students on campus who bid on an array of items and activities donated by the staff. The adults experience a lively auction evening to continue to raise funds to see the theater become a reality. Jessica Biel's arrival created a stir of excitement and enthusiasm at the evening's live auction event. While flashbulbs flashed, Biel and Marsden reunited as leading lady and leading man from the comedy film, The Nail. Once settled and fans, parents and onlookers finished their meal, bidding for trips for their children, Head of School for the Day, and other exciting activities for the student body kicked into high gear.

Jessica Biel, James Marsden and David O. Russell took the auctioneer’s gavel and microphone and raised the bar for "walk-on parts" for an upcoming movie. Bidding went wild and ultimately three parts were auctioned off and brought in the second highest sum of the evening. Surprise additions to the auction items were six tee shirts autographed and artistically handcrafted and kissed by Biel and Marsden who charmingly brushed his hair with the tee, landed exceptional sums. Marsden continued to compete with the auctioneer, making for a delightfully exciting evening. Both Jessica Biel and James Marsden are committed to the theatre project and continue their support of the Glenholme School.

While promises and pledges are still coming in, the weekend tally of $220,000 resulted in the most successful auction event to date. Even though construction will begin, the fund raising effort continues as funds for the final phase are needed to complete the project.