“Spirit Of Chicago”
Saturday 21st June 2014 from 1000 until 1600 the Sofitel Hotel Chicago on East Chestnut Street had its main ball room transformed into a sparkling and emotive ‘Spirit of Chicago’ themed luncheon & awards ceremony.
This remarkable event was the brain child of and designed by MCT Director Victoria Magnus while it was coordinated & successfully delivered in unison by Victoria with Events by Susan out of Houston Texas and her special events team who all combined to produce a memorable day’s series of events.
The day commenced with an all-encompassing meet and greet for the forty successful students and two guests of their choice for 2014 MCT Scholarship program. Each student and guests were personally introduced to Chairwoman Maria Magnus and Director Victoria Magnus for a few private moments and words of wisdom from the Magnus Charitable Trust duo.
The students and their guests were then introduced to their own MCT board selected mentor, a mentor whom will be responsible for guiding the student through the ensuing 4 years of academic excellence. Each mentor attended the event and spent quality time getting to know their student while the student also gained an appreciation as to what their personal mentor could be expected to do for and with them over the coming scholarship program.
Official photographs taken with some video recorded interviews for good measure and everyone adjourned to the main events ‘Spirit of Chicago’ themed ball room for the commencement of a recognition of past students, past mentors and the welcoming in of the 2014 candidates. The formal luncheon, speeches and entertainment ran for about 3 hours.
The food was all based around Chicago’s finest on offer with tastes from every renowned dish available in the Windy City from flavoursome street vendor-style hotdogs and deep crust pizza to thick buck eye steaks onto Chicago’s cheesecake factory style desserts and all wrapped up with Chicago’s world famous Garrett’s gourmet flavoured popcorn to feast on as each person departed and to take home for later.
Master of Ceremonies Michelle Minns directed events succinctly and linked everyone contributing from prayers by the good Reverend Doctor Olivia Hines to speeches by guest speaker Daniel of MCT security and logistics to the Chairwoman Maria Magnus, director Victoria Magnus and finally onto the key note speaker Mr Mike Ware (attorney at law).
Mike is a renowned civil rights / humanitarian and criminal defence attorney at law and Mike’s speech evoked visions of the expected journey ahead for each student from apprentice to master in their chosen field or career. Mike imparted hope to all students explaining how he himself worked his way up from a humble school bus driver through law school and onto becoming one of the USA’s renowned attorneys.
The entertainment was a wondrous human aerobatic and acrobatic performance by the now world famous ‘Chicago Boyz Gymnastic’ display team under the guidance and tutelage of their founder Mr Tim Shaw (ex US national gymnast).
Framed certificates were presented to the MCT 2014 students as they were introduced on stage while memorabilia trophies and plaques of recognition were awarded to outgoing students and mentors from the 2004 and 2009 Scholarship programs.
The main event for some 350 people was over by 1600 and later that evening the mentors and organisers boarded a lake-cruising vessel for a dinner / dance and Chicago fireworks display as the culmination of events that saluted the end of the 2009 scholarship program and the commencement of the 2014 scholastic program.
The Magnus Charitable Trust website will be updated regularly keeping all those interested informed as to the progress of students and mentors alike.
The next big event for the MCT 2014 scholarship students will be at the half way stage in two years’ time when the group will again convene to spur one another on, listen to tales of the first two years and ensure each student remains focused an on track to graduate two years hence.