OMNIA Gala 2023
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, 360 guests attended the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association’s annual OMNIA fundraising gala, held at Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
OMNIA’s purpose is to gather together supporters and friends of the CLHSA and our schools, Lutheran East (Cleveland Heights) and Lutheran West (Rocky River). Proceeds from the event directly benefit the schools and students through tuition assistance and school initiatives.
Guests enjoyed a live band, food and beverages, a silent auction, commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the CLHSA, and remarks from school leadership regarding capital campaigns and construction projects at each school.
OMNIA would not have been possible without the generous donations and support of many contributors to the silent auction. To all those who contributed products, services, and their time, we thank you wholeheartedly.
We would also like to thank all those who raised their paddles during the “Dollars for Scholars” portion of the evening. This segment centers around giving to student tuition assistance at both schools, so that more families can make a Christ-centered education a reality for their student(s).
In addition to celebrating and supporting the CLHSA’s schools and students, OMNIA marks the induction of new members into the school’s Distinguished Alumni programs. This year, eleven new Distinguished Alumni were recognized. In alphabetical order by last name, they are: Mrs. Jennifer (Brown) Carter LE’90, Ms. Charlene A. Coughlin LW’01, Mr. Clyde Elbrecht LE’63, Dr. Arlene (Nash) Hayne LW’67, Dr. James Heidmann LW’82, Mrs. Viola Hessler LE’74, Mr. Mark Minnick LW’70, Mr. Jonathan Reitz LE’85, Col. Ron Schwachenwald LHS’56, Mr. Greg Steinberg LW’91, and Dr. Micah Wells LE’07.
Guests viewed the premiere of a short film commemorating the 75th anniversary of the CLHSA and our schools. The film was researched, edited, and produced by Christian James ’23, a budding filmographer and content creator. Christian developed his love for filmography and storytelling while he was a student at Lutheran West. With the help of Lutheran West’s Senney Enterprises Business & Entrepreneurship Academy, Christian has formed his own LLC entitled “Chris the Creatorr” (find him on social at @christthecreatorr), and he is now building his business.
To read biographies for each new Distinguished Alumnus, visit the Distinguished Alumni pages of our school websites: Lutheran East at https://www.lutheraneast.org/distinguishedalumni; Lutheran West at https://www.lutheranwest.com/distinguishedalumni.
We’re pleased to share that the event raised important funds to support students, families, and programs at our schools. Thank you to all those who made a contribution, whether through ticket purchases, auction bidding, Dollars for Scholars, sponsorships, advertisements, or giving of their time and talents. Your gifts truly make a difference in the lives of our young people.
The CLHSA would especially like to thank the 2022 OMNIA Planning Committee: Charlene Coughlin LW’01 (OMNIA Committee Chair / Lutheran West Operating Board Member), Debi Albrecht LW’85 (Lutheran West Alumni Director), Loretta Childs (Lutheran East Alumni Director) Joe Gray (CLHSA Assistant Superintendent), Teri Gonska (CLHSA Staff), Rebecca Jabs (Lutheran East Faculty), Ashley Koza (CLHSA Director of Development), Jessica Miller (CLHSA Director of Communications & Marketing), Ruth Ninke ‘65, Jena Olsen (CLHSA Staff), Judy Pflaum (Lutheran West Staff), and Miranda Pflaum LW’15.
Finally, we’d like to extend a special thank you to the sponsors and advertisers of OMNIA 2023, especially our Diamond Sponsor, Krill Inc.
In alphabetical order, additional event sponsors and advertisers were: Carey Construction Group, Community West Foundation, Minnick Enterprises, Premier Senior Solutions, Senney Enterprises, Thrivent BeaconPoint Financial, and TWIST Creative.
Special thanks to the Hilton, Ann Pavic (Hilton event coordinator), Blossom Cleveland (florist), The Perfect Choice Band (live music), Encore (lighting / sound), Lutheran East and Lutheran West student greeters, OneCause/BidPal, and the Hilton’s valets, bartenders, and food service personnel.
