Julie Bryant, Amy Sherman, Michelle Papadopoulos, Sharon Redding, Deb Zussman, and Kathi Naumann
The Gunston School held its first Bull & Oyster Roast on Saturday, October 17th. The sold-out event saw more than 220 parents, trustees, alumni, and friends gather at the school's Centreville-based campus to raise funds for its athletics department, and honor recently retired Athletic Director, Anita Gruss, who served Gunston for 37 years.
With the funds, the school will be acquiring new uniforms for the basketball and lacrosse teams; athletic equipment inside the Field House, including new scoreboards, basketball benches, and floor runners; key capital items for the waterfront such as new sails and coaching powerboats; and exercise equipment for the weight room.
The evening began with 22 teams enjoying a friendly cornhole tournament, while other guests mingled and tried their luck with a few raffle items and a silent auction. During dinner, Headmaster John Lewis, Assistant Head Christie Grabis, co-worker Becky Schmier and alum Ashley Davis Baker entertained the crowd with stories of the beloved Anita Gruss.
"For 30 years at Gunston, Athletics was spelled A-N-I-T-A. She gave her heart and soul to the school, and she treated every student-athlete with a high degree of care,” Lewis says.
Following the Roast, Gruss was surprised with the unveiling of a rendition of the new “Anita Gruss Basketball Court.”
“I thought nothing could beat this great event and crowd for me to come back for! The tremendous support for Herons Athletics is strong. Then to have the Field House gym floor named after me-huge! This old heron is extremely humbled and feeling the love. Go Herons!” she says.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GUNSTON SCHOOL
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