The annual WISE Foundation ‘Red and White’ gala came with a special twist on Saturday.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country’s birth, this year’s gala, which was held at the Warrenton Elks Lodge, for one year became the ‘Red, white and blue’ gala.

The event, which raised approximately $80,000 for the foundation to award $2,500 scholarships to 25 Warrenton High School seniors, also enables the WISE Foundation to support district teachers through a grant program.

WISE, which stands for The Warren County R-III Investment in Scholastic Excellence, was established to aid the district’s students, teachers and schools financially. The organization is a 501(c)3 organization.

Warrior Ridge fourth-grade teacher Karly Hughes, who, along with her cohorts, applied for and received a WISE grant to help fund an educational program for their students, said the WISE Foundation has been a godsend.

“We received a subscription for all of our students to IXL,” Hughes said. “It’s an online learning platform that allows us to set standards for students to help them with extra work. We’re very thankful for the help. It is extremely welcome. We know that education doesn’t always have the support that it needs, so when people want to give from their hearts and help us, we appreciate it greatly.”

WISE Foundation Vice President Carrie Bolm, who spoke during a presentation before the auction’s beginning, said that, once again, the generosity of the Warrenton community was remarkable.

“It’s an incredible evening every year,” Bolm said. “We just love the opportunity to have the community come out and support the teachers, support the students and also have a great time doing it.”

The event was a celebration of the Warren County R-III School District with attendees buying raffle tickets and bidding on silent and live auction items throughout the evening. Many of the auction items raised over $1,000 for the district. 

Of the 32 auction lot items, the top fundraiser was the one-year naming rights to the Warrenton High School football field.

Ryan and Jill McCann, who own Hawk Ridge Animal Hospital, once again placed the top bid of $4,000 to secure the rights.

“They’ve bought it for the last two years and have named it in honor of David Huff,” Bolm said.

Other large-ticket items included $2,400 for a 2027 spring break getaway, $2,000 for one-year naming right to the high school baseball field; $1,700 for an indoor air quality package; $1,400 for one-year naming rights to the high school softball field; $1,100 for St. Louis Cardinals club seats; $1,000 for eight VIP seats and a parking pass to the 2025-26 WHS graduation and $1,000 for a three-night stay at a villa at the Lake of the Ozarks.

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, attendees were also asked to donate varying dollar amounts to the 250 for 250 campaign. Amounts ranged from $2.50 to $2,500.

Hughes, who, along with fellow fourth-grade teachers at Warrior Ridge – Shauna Curless, Abigail Fahland, and Brandy Gagliano – received a grant this year, said they intend to use the program’s benefits going forward.

“The process to apply for the grant is so easy, it’s one page,” she said. “It (the IXL subscription) is a yearly thing, so we definitely will ask for the help again going forward.”