Gala Exceeds Expectations
On a beautiful spring evening at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, the Oaks Christian community gathered for a night that felt as meaningful as it was memorable. The annual Dinner Auction Gala welcomed 450 guests and, by night’s end, celebrated a remarkable milestone—raising more than $2 million in support of the school’s mission.
The moment that defined the evening came unexpectedly, when OCS founder Dallas Price-Van Breda offered an on-the-spot matching gift challenge, igniting a wave of generosity that carried through the room. If guests could raise $1 million through the silent, online, and live auctions, the Moment to Give, and direct donations, she would match the amount. And the OCS community stepped up in a big way!
The program unfolded with elegance and energy, guided by emcee and award-winning actor Neal McDonough, whose connection as an Oaks Christian parent brought both warmth and authenticity to the stage. Guests were treated to unforgettable performances by Grammy award-winning producer David Foster and his wife, singer-songwriter Katharine McPhee, whose chemistry and artistry created a truly special musical experience. Later in the evening, Daniel Emmet captivated the audience, his powerful vocals filling the room and earning a standing ovation.
The live auction added excitement and heart, featuring 10 extraordinary items. Among them, a rare 1927 World Series Yankees baseball signed by the legendary “Murderers’ Row,” players including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig that went for $24,000. A beloved Australian Labradoodle puppy found a home for $15,000. An exclusive resort stay commanded an impressive $44,000, and a once-in-a-lifetime Navy SEAL experience with a retired commander inspired spirited bidding, ultimately going for $40,000.
Throughout the evening, the focus remained on the heart of Oaks Christian and its academic excellence, and artistic expression, and athletic distinction. That mission came to life through the voices of its alumni. Olympians Amanda Longan, Class of 2015, Adrian Weinberg, Class of 2019, and Morgan Stickney, OCO Class of 2016, shared reflections on how their time at Oaks Christian shaped their journeys to the world stage, representing both perseverance and purpose.
In one of the most moving moments of the night, alumna Emily Ricks Hahn, Class of 2019, shared a deeply personal story of how her education quite literally saved her life. Drawing on knowledge from her high school science classes, she was able to recognize and diagnose a life-threatening medical condition—an experience that underscored the lasting impact of a strong academic foundation.
By using that knowledge, Hahn was able to go on to pursue a successful career as a singer-songwriter and actress and is now considering majoring in neuroscience in college.
The evening also showcased the school’s artistic spirit, as alumnae Rose Krueger, Class of 2023, and Elizabeth Sams, Class of 2017, delivered powerful vocal performances that put the audience on their feet.
By the close of the night, what lingered was not only the success of the fundraising effort, but the sense of shared purpose that filled the room. It was a celebration of community, of lives shaped and futures inspired—and a reminder that the impact of Oaks Christian extends far beyond the classroom.
