The Starlit Gala, Palomar College Foundation's 25th Annual Gala

This year’s Starlit Gala celebrates Palomar College’s 70 years of student success. Proceeds from the event provide financial support that removes barriers to educational success for local students.

“As a Palomar College graduate who now runs a multimillion dollar company, I’m an example of what the opportunity to pursue education means,” said Starlit Gala chair Don Adair. “I invite the community to join me for a fun-filled evening that will help make that same opportunity accessible to hundreds of students.”

Proceeds from the event provide scholarships, textbook assistance, program support and other resources for Palomar College students.

The evening’s events include live and silent auctions, fine dining in a classic venue, and a live dance band. One of the highlights of the evening will be iconic songs from across many decades, presented by the Palomar Encore Dancers. There will also be a showing of fashion and styles through the decades, presented by student from the Palomar Fashion Design Department.
 
Comet Award Honoree
The annual Comet Award, which recognizes community leadership and service, will be presented at this year’s Starlit Gala to Kathy Issa. For several decades, Issa has been a philanthropic force in support of many worthwhile nonprofits throughout the San Diego region. The Issa Family Foundation has distributed more than $15 million to organizations addressing pressing human needs such as access to education, homelessness, food insecurity, the needs of military veterans, and medical care for underserved populations.
 
Bid for Fun
The Starlit Gala will offer guests both a silent and a live auction, with many opportunities to obtain unique offers ranging from spa visits and jewelry to vacation visits at accessible local and regional resorts, a private planetarium experience for a personal or corporate group, and numerous student and alumni works of art in a variety of media.

The fun will continue after dinner into the evening as guests enjoy and dance to music by the Mark Lessman Band.