With an array of performances and an attendance of 258 people, the Interact and UNICEF organizations on campus collaborated to present “Starry Nights,” the third annual Intercef Charity Gala held  last Friday at the Rowland Heights Community Center.

The goal of the gala was to attract sponsors and raise money for the Water for Mali charitable foundation, which supports providing sustainable clean water for the West African nation. The sponsorship team, led by senior Claire Medina, aimed to promote organizations to donate funds towards the event.

“While researching the program, I read that UNICEF is a part of [Water for Mali] teaching force. So when the planning season for the gala came around, we thought it’d be a cool idea to direct all of the profit to this cause,” senior Nicole Kim said, who is also co-president of the Interact club.

The charity gala raised $9075 from sponsorships, admission tickets, and chocolate fundraisers. After subtracting the costs of the gala itself, the remaining profit totaled to $5004 and was donated to the Water for Mali foundation.

The event itself featured  two photo booths, a calligraphy station staffed by seniors Ashley Hong and Kirsty Choi, and a gallery featuring artworks from various high schools. The gala also provided a Japanese-style dinner.

The performances that spanned throughout the event ranged from choreographed routines by All Male Alumni and senior Brandy Baker to an impromptu comedy skit performed by Rowland High School’s Comedy Sportz League. Among the performers were senior Eden Chen and junior Jade Chen playing the piano and singers Jodie Lu, Claire Medina (seniors), Stephanie Tang, Myra Mayr, and Kaitlyn Lee (juniors).

“We’re always looking for ways to bring new content to our gala so that the annual event is something that everyone can look forward to,” Kim said.