Silicon Valley International School’s annual Gala & Auction returned this year in spectacular fashion at the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club, delivering an unforgettable evening filled with energy, generosity, and community spirit. Set against an exceptionally bright and sunny backdrop, the venue provided the perfect environment for what would become the most successful Gala of all time, raising an extraordinary half a million dollars in support of the school.
This year’s theme, Samba!, brought the vibrant culture of Brazil to life in stunning fashion. Guests embraced the theme wholeheartedly, arriving in colorful floral attire, with some going all out in dazzling feathered headpieces that captured the spirit and flair of Brazilian Carnival. The visual energy alone transformed the venue into a lively and immersive cultural experience, setting the tone for the evening ahead. 
With 188 guests in attendance, the cocktail hour buzzed with conversation, laughter, and reconnections. The strong turnout created a lively and welcoming atmosphere, as parents, alumni, faculty, and friends of the school mingled and celebrated their shared connection to INTL. As the sun began to set, guests were invited to transition into the main program, and the excitement only grew from there.
An Electrifying Samba Performance
To kick off the evening’s festivities, guests were treated to a dynamic live performance by Samba dancers. Their electrifying rhythms and vibrant choreography injected life and energy into the room early on, captivating the audience from the very first beat. By the end of the performance, dozens of attendees had joined in, dancing alongside the performers and fully embracing the joyful spirit of the theme. It was a moment that perfectly captured the essence of the night: inclusive, spirited, and full of life.
Honoring the Spirit of INTL: Mandy Korphi
After the dancing, the evening turned to one of its most heartfelt moments: the presentation of the Spirit of INTL Award. This year’s honoree, alumni Mandy Korphi, embodies the very values upon which the school was founded.
As a member of INTL’s first middle school graduating class, Mandy’s journey has been both remarkable and inspiring. She went on to pursue higher education at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, and built an impressive career in AI, technology, and engineering, including work at Google X. Yet, the most meaningful chapter of her story is how it has come full circle. Today, Mandy is not only a parent of two INTL students, but also a dedicated Board Director and tireless volunteer, committed to shaping the future of the school she once called home. Her story is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of an INTL education.
Inspiring Words and Historic Moments
Attendees then turned their attention to a series of guest speeches, with particularly meaningful remarks from this year’s Gala Chair, Reza Afkhami, and Head of School Barbara Greiner. During her speech, Barbara acknowledged the entire table of INTL alumni parents, including our school’s founder Charlotte de Gery, who celebrated her 100th birthday this past month, a powerful tribute to her vision and the lasting legacy she has built. 
Fund-a-Need: Transforming Learning Across Campus
One of the most impactful moments of the night came during the Fund-a-Need segment, which focused on enhancing the learning environments across all three divisions of the school: Early Years, Elementary School, and Upper School. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the INTL community, $400,000 was raised during this portion alone. 
These funds will directly support meaningful improvements across campus, from new learning materials designed to spark curiosity and play in Early Years classrooms, to a completely redesigned art workspace for Elementary students that will inspire creativity and artistic exploration, to upgraded gym facilities for Upper School students, including new wooden flooring and LED lighting to enhance both competitive play and overall athletic experience. Every contribution brings us closer to making these transformative enhancements a reality for our students, and we invite you to join us in supporting this impactful Fund-a-Need campaign.
Ultimately, this year’s Gala was more than just an event, it was a celebration of bilingual excellence, a reflection of a rich multicultural history, and a heartfelt tribute to the incredible INTL community. We hope to see many more parents, alumni, and members of our faculty and staff at Gala next year! 
