More than 300 business leaders, alumni and education supporters gathered at VEA Newport Beach for the 15th annual Spirit of Excellence Gala hosted by the Irvine Public Schools Foundation. The event raised more than $1.3 million to support innovative teaching and learning for more than 38,000 students in the Irvine Unified School District.
“The Spirit of Excellence Gala is a celebration of what is possible when a community comes together to support education,” says IPSF President and CEO Neda Eaton. “It is a powerful reminder that when we invest in students, we invest in the future of Irvine.”
The foundation raises funds for IUSD and supports student programs. The nonprofit offers more than 500 summer classes, from cooking and coding to robotics, along with hundreds of after‑school programs ranging from basketball to mobile-app development as well as speech‑and‑debate instruction.
Solis Park sixth grader Elliott Knox was a student speaker at the gala. She described how an IPSF‑sponsored musical helped her discover her love for theater and build confidence.
“The Spirit of Excellence Gala is a celebration of what is possible when a community comes together to support education. It is a powerful reminder that when we invest in students, we invest in the future of Irvine.”
IPSF President and CEO Neda Eaton
“Most people know Irvine is one of the top school districts in the country, but what they might not realize is that many families need support,” Knox told the audience. “Luckily, we have an amazing community and organizations like IPSF to help bridge the gap.”
Guests began the evening with a sunset reception featuring a live art demonstration by Rancho San Joaquin Middle School eighth grader Madison Weinberg. She completed a painting during the reception that later sold for $6,000 at auction.
The gala recognized Farnaz Esnaashari, Irvine High School class of 1999, as the 2025 Spirit of Excellence in Arts honoree. Esnaashari’s career includes work at Nickelodeon and the creation of the animated series “Shimmer and Shine.”
“IPSF is deeply grateful for the partnerships that make our work possible, especially our longstanding collaboration with Irvine Company,” Eaton says.
