Another Starry Night Gala has come and gone — and what a remarkable evening it was. Those who joined us this year know firsthand that the 2026 Gala was something truly special: an evening filled with celebration, laughter, heartfelt moments, and an extraordinary sense of community.
 

Because of the generosity, friendship, and support of so many people like you, this year’s gala became our most successful yet, raising a record-breaking $68,000 in support of the Woodland Hills Foundation’s mission. Every dollar raised will be invested directly back into Woodland Hills School District through scholarships, teacher grants, food and hygiene support for students in need, free community events, and programs that continue to connect our community to the classroom.
 

As always, our honorees were the heart of the evening.
 

This year, we were proud to recognize the Social Workers of Woodland Hills School District — Danielle Zurisko, Brittany Miller, Sarah Rivers, Kiersten Snyder, and Kellie Irwin — whose compassion and dedication continue to make an immeasurable difference in the lives of our students and families. Through programs like Backpacks of Hope and the student pantry, their work quietly changes lives every single day.
 

We were also honored to celebrate Joelisa McDonald, our 2026 Distinguished Alumni of the Year, whose leadership, service, and commitment to community reflect the very best of Woodland Hills. Her continued dedication to giving back serves as an inspiring reminder that Woodland Hills is always home.
 

And we proudly recognized Erin Wall for her vision and leadership in creating the Woodland Hills Student Summit — a program born out of compassion that has become a powerful source of connection, hope, and encouragement for our students.
 

A particularly meaningful moment of the evening was the surprise recognition of Maria McCool, whose leadership more than twenty years ago helped bring the Woodland Hills Foundation into existence. Her vision and commitment helped create an organization that has touched countless students, teachers, and families, and we were grateful for the opportunity to publicly thank her for all she has given to our district and community.
 

When reflecting on the success of the evening, we would be remiss not to thank this year’s emcee, Bobby Carr. His warmth, humor, and genuine connection to Woodland Hills helped guide the evening beautifully, and we are deeply grateful for the energy and heart he brought to the program.

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We are equally thankful to this year’s Host Committee, whose guidance, creativity, and support helped shape every part of the evening — from selecting honorees to creating one of our most exciting silent auctions yet.
 

And of course, a very special thank you to Maria Yezovich and Walkin’ Rosie, who once again made the evening unforgettable. Their generosity, talent, and energy brought such joy to the night, and the dance floor proved just how much everyone appreciated it.
 

None of this would have been possible without our sponsors, ticket buyers, journal advertisers, auction donors, and supporters. Your belief in our mission continues to move this work forward. And a special thank you once again to US Steel for their steadfast and extraordinary support year after year.
 

So thank you — truly, all of you — for helping make this evening such a success and for continuing to believe in the students, teachers, and future of Woodland Hills.

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