Celebration for Education Announces MHS Alumni Honorees

Patti Elliot, Astrid Hajjar and Lisa Viola, Event Chairs for the 12th Annual Celebration for Education, are excited that this year’s Celebration will honor two long-time supporters of education in Milton, Anne Coghlan and Gary Kelly.

“It’s inspirational to be able to recognize the many contributions Anne and Gary have made for Milton’s students,” Elliot said. “While the Celebration will be a great party, it’s also a wonderful way to celebrate the many years of support and leadership Anne and Gary have provided in support of education in Milton.”

Anne Coghlan, a 1944 graduate of , received her B.S. from Simmons College in 1948.  She also has Masters’ degrees from Boston University and the University of Vermont, a Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island, and an honorary doctorate from Simmons.  

Most of her career – 35 years – was spent teaching at her alma mater and serving as Dean of Sciences for the undergraduate college.  An active citizen of Milton, she was the first female chair of the Warrant Committee and has served as a board member of Milton Hospital, the Cunningham Foundation and Park, and the Milton Foundation for Education (MFE).  

As President of MFE from 1997 to 1999, Coghlan played a key role in ensuring that the fledgling foundation established strong criteria for raising and distributing funds to the Milton Public Schools. 

Gary Kelly, a 1978 graduate of Milton High School and 1982 graduate of FitchburgState College, is a former MFE trustee and Celebration co-chair. He is chief investment strategist of a wealth management firm and a volunteer for numerous Milton organizations.  Thanks to his efforts, the Milton High School Alumni Association that was created in the late 1990s has been re-activated.  

Kelly also serves as vice president of the Milton High School Boosters, which raises money for high school sports, and as president of the Milton Girls Softball Association.  He is a former Milton Hockey and American Legion baseball coach, and a founder of the Milton High School Athletic Hall of Fame.      

In addition to naming this year’s honorees, the chairs also announced a distinguished list of honorary chairs for this year’s event, headed up by Governor Deval Patrick and First Lady Diane Patrick. The list for the 2011 Celebration for Education also includes Milton philanthropist and tireless volunteer Marjorie Jeffries, historian and author Anthony Sammarco, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph V. Morrissey. Mr. Morrissey is president of Milton Hospital.

Event volunteers have been busy signing up sponsors for this year’s celebration, with heading the list as a major sponsor. continues their tradition of sponsoring the event and –Milton Fuller Housing Corporation is also a sponsor this year.

Other major sponsors to date include Bay State Physical Therapy, Andrea and Marvin Gordon, Astrid and John Hajjar, Hayward Photography and Lisa and Vincent Viola; many additional sponsors will be listed on the Milton Foundation for Education website.

“We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of the organizations and citizens who are stepping up to support this event, and the quality of education in Milton’s public schools,” commented Hajjar. “We thank them for their support, and want to make sure that the residents of Milton know who they are.” 

Hajjar added, “The goal for this year’s event is $200,000, but to meet that goal we still need a lot of additional help.”

Those interested in being a sponsor, donating auction items or volunteering to help at the event should visit www.miltonfoundationforeducation.org to see how they can help, or email the event chairs at bigbackyardbash2011@gmail.com.

 The Celebration for Education is sponsored by the Milton Foundation for Education, currently celebrating its fifteenth year helping support all of Milton’s public schools. As in the past, money raised from the Celebration of Education will be allocated to the schools to meet their particular needs. Each principal, inconsultation with the administration, has identified capital equipment, programs and initiatives that will enhance that particular school. Every principal’s “wish list” is different, depending upon the specific needs of their school.

 This year’s celebration, called the “Big Backyard Bash,” will be held April 2nd, 2012 at the Boston Marriott Quincy.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.miltonfoundationforeducation.org and must be purchased by March 26, 2011. As in previous years, tickets will not be sold at the door.