Lavish $1.5 Million Gala Inaugurates Houston’s Hottest New Downtown Hotel

What: Cristo Rey Jesuit “Over the Moon” gala

Where: The Marriott Marquis

PC Moment: Between the excitement over the new venue (it was the new $370 million downtown hotel’s first gala), the screening of the Houston Texans vs. New England game, and the prospect of raising a whopping $1.5 million, the 900 guests were definitely in a party mood. Chairs Trini Mendenhall, Cyndy Garza Roberts, and Ileana Trevino worked their combined magic on the evening that saluted the school’s 135 seniors, who have already received 264 acceptances to 85 colleges and universities. Raye G. White was honored with the inaugural Father TJ Martinez SJ, Legacy Award. Both she and the graduating seniors received standing ovations from the crowd that kept the gala and the dance floor pumping until 1 in the morning.

Who: Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Cristo Rey president Paul Posoli, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza, Mary Tere and Ricardo Perusquia, Donna and Tony Vallone, Michael Trevino, Thomas Roberts, Sarah and Doug Foshee, Winell and Doug Herron, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Roxann and Tim Neumann, Susan Sarofim, and Jan and Oniel Mendenhall.