Our annual Gift from the Heart is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a chance for us to come together and invest in a project that elevates our campus and enriches our community. As with any vibrant, growing school, there’s always a need, a vision, or a dream waiting to be realized. The Gift from the Heart is how we bring those dreams to life.
This year we asked our growing campus community a simple question: what campus improvement project should we tackle next? One project rose to the top, capturing the spotlight.
The Bettcher Convocation Center (BCC) serves as a gathering and event space for families and students grades K-12. Assemblies, musicals, CultureFest, Holiday Workshop, theatrical performances, guest speakers, and special events are hosted in the BCC. For many families, BCC is our first impression as a school.
BCC represents our Lake Ridge community, provides a space for hands-on learning, and is the showcase for our award-winning theatre program. This year's Gift from the Heart vision was to invest in a BCC refresh, so that our students can benefit from upgraded technology, lighting, sound, and facilities in a space that is so important to our campus life.
🚨 Exciting Upgrades in Progress! 🚨
We’ve been busy making BIG improvements to enhance performances and events in the Bettcher Convocation Center! 🎭✨
✅ Completed:
💡 New LED followspots, moving fixtures & front lights
🎨 Color-mixing & special effects for dynamic visuals
🔌 Rigging inspections & all electrical work
🎤 Four-channel wireless mic system + new podium mic
🔄 Seamless integration of new & old systems for better room coverage
🚧 In Progress:
📽️ 248” HD retractable screen for epic visuals
🎬 On-stage digital projector for immersive backdrops
🔗 Video routing, networking & electrical upgrades
🎭 Coming This Summer:
🚪 Transforming the Bettcher kitchen into a changing area
🚻 New performer-friendly restroom
🛠️ Fresh carpet, neutral paint, & upgraded hardware
Get ready for a next-level experience! Stay tuned for more updates!
458 days ago by Megan ZahlerThe Bettcher Convocation Center just hit a new level of awesome with our first upgrade complete! 🚀✨
🎶 What’s new? Check it out:
🔹 Four-channel wireless microphone system 🎙️
🔹 Seamless integration with the old system for crystal-clear coverage 🔄
🔹 A brand-new podium mic for those big moments 🎤
Our Upper School is already making the most of it—Town Hall meetings have never sounded better!
Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to Gift from the Heart ❤️—you're making a real difference! And guess what? More upgrades are on the way! 🎉
It’s not too late to be part of this transformation. Give today and help us keep the momentum going! 💙✨
490 days ago by Megan ZahlerWe did it! Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve exceeded our Gift from the Heart goal to renovate the Bettcher Convocation Center! This achievement is a testament to the amazing spirit of our community, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Here’s what’s coming to Bettcher thanks to you:
✨ Brand-new projection technology
✨ A changing room and restroom at the front of the house
✨ Upgraded stage lighting and sound systems
✨ Fresh carpet and paint
Every Lake Ridge student will benefit from this transformation, and Bettcher will continue to be the heart of our community gatherings for years to come!
A special shoutout to our major contributors who went above and beyond to make this possible:
💛 The Norton Family
💛 Dr. Chris and Dr. Mona Thompson
💛 Mr. Michael Sertich ’01 and Mrs. Julia Bilz Sertich ’01
💛 Mr. Tom and Mrs. Kathryn Dake
💛 Dr. Niyati Sheth and Mr. Govind Sandhu
💛 Dr. Richie and Dr. Ana Del Rio
💛 Mr. Donald and Mrs. Ingrid Knechtges
💛 Mr. Mitch and Mrs. Shelby White
💛 Dr. Mario and Mrs. Mary Lynn Sertich
💛 Mr. Rick and Mrs. Anca Obid
💛 Mr. John and Mrs. Jennifer Tillery
Work begins right after Winter Break, and we’ll keep you updated on the progress. Have questions? Reach out to us anytime at royals@lakeridgeacademy.org.
Thank you for making this dream a reality!
💙 The Lake Ridge Academy Advancement Team
536 days ago by Megan ZahlerThanks to the incredible generosity of Julia Bilz Sertich ’01 and Michael Sertich ’01, we’re closer than ever to reaching our $230,000 goal!
Even better—they’ve pledged to match every dollar donated until we hit the finish line. That means every gift you make today will have double the impact!
We are deeply grateful to Julia and Michael, as well as the many supporters who have already contributed to our Gift from the Heart campaign. Together, we’re making a difference!
Don’t wait—give today and make your generosity go twice as far!
552 days ago by Megan ZahlerDonors
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