Tumwater Education Foundation offers the senior students and their parents the opportunity to raise money under the umbrella of TEF’s nonprofit status. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be available as scholarships to further that year’s graduating seniors post-secondary education.Since 1996, the seniors and their parents have chosen to hold a dinner and auction which has netted, on average, $20,000 each year. They procure items from the community for a live and silent auction. They arrange for a caterer, an auctioneer, entertainment (usually student orchestras. bands, and choirs), make decorations and so on. During the evening of the event the students will park cars, act as hosts, prepare and serve dinner, clean up, and any other job that is required to put on such an event. In the past, this auction has played host to 400 guests with 400 items donated. The auction is held at either Black Hills High School or Tumwater High School, alternating each year. Some themes in the past have been “Puttin on the Ritz”, "A Night to Unite", and “A Bridge to the Future”.
Students are eligible for a scholarship if they have completed a senior portfolio and have worked on the fundraising event (auction). A scholarship committee, consisting of high school staff members, review the portfolios and fundraising efforts of the students and award the scholarships. The students receive the information about their scholarships on Award’s Night held in the spring.
This is a great opportunity to meet and work with other parents and students and raise money for the whole senior class. It gives the students a chance to go out and meet the public. It may be a chance for a student to take a couple of college classes and ignite that fire to continue with their education. The scholarships are not solely based on need or academics making all students, who fulfill the requirements, eligible.
