"Take a Seat" Gala to Boost CHS Auditorium Renovation

The Achieve Foundation and the Columbia High School Alumni Association are teaming up to host a gala evening celebrating the contributions of one of the community's leading citizens and champions, on Saturday, April 20 at Orange Lawn Country Club in South Orange.

The event will honor longtime Maplewood resident and former Mayor Fred Profeta and will help fund the Take a Seat (TAS) Campaign, a joint effort of Achieve and the South Orange - Maplewood School District (SOMSD) to restore the historic Columbia High School (CHS) auditorium to its former splendor. The $1.3 million project will upgrade features of the 85-year old performance hall including its seats, sound system, lighting and flooring.

The campaign hopes to raise $350,000 to fill the gap between the $1 million the school district has allotted for the project and the total amount required for the renovation.

"Fred personifies Maplewood," said Deputy Mayor Kathy Leventhal. "He’s lived here most of his life and was educated in our schools, helped start the Community Coalition on Race, served as our Mayor, led the rebuilding of Underhill Field, and put our town and state on the active road to sustainability. Fred continues to contribute in many different ways to Maplewood and the school district.  Achieve is honoring a true 'mover and shaker'!"

Profeta attended Jefferson, Maplewood Middle School and (CHS).

"The CHS auditorium is very important to me because I did a lot there when I was in high school, from performing in plays to delivering campaign speeches," said Profeta. "Probably most significantly, that stage is where I really learned how to deliver a speech...What I practiced there has served me well, not only before large audiences but also in the courtroom."

As a junior in 1956, Profeta was chair of the committee that wrote a school musical entitled "Up 'n at 'm." He played the character of PJ, the town's pitchman -- a role that came to mirror his real life career as Mayor of Maplewood and consummate town advocate.

Profeta said the auditorium is a "glorious" space that has become rundown in recent decades.  "It is time to bring it back to its glory days," he said. "I am sure it will make the students feel special, and invigorate the whole community with a sense of pride in the gem of the school district."

The gala is being organized by Achieve’s Executive Director Deborah Prinz, Jean Campbell and members of the community including Allison Ziefert, Margaret Prentice, Jean Campbell, Jonathan Kohn and Janet Crane. 

"The CHS Alumni Association is so happy to partner with Achieve for this truly worthwhile event honoring Fred," said Crane. "We are looking forward to a great turnout for the gala, and the Take A Seat Campaign will certainly benefit the whole community." 

"Years ago [when I was] a new resident to Maplewood, Fred inspired me to become involved in our community and this is something that has really stuck with me," said Ziefert, a local realtor. "Seeing the CHS auditorium renovation completed will have direct benefits for the kids and the school, and having excellent facilities and a strong arts program is important for our towns."

Profeta said he is delighted to be honored for his contributions to the town and the school district he loves. "The award is for a 'lifetime of achievement' but I feel that I have lots of time left to help the community remain as a place which shows the way in so many respects," he said. "I always felt that I lived in the best town in America. I still do."

Cocktails will start at 7 p.m. at The Club at Orange Lawn, followed by dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $100 per person. Donors also have the opportunity to dedicate new auditorium chairs to a person or organization, or can underwrite other major improvements. 

To purchase tickets go here. For other Take A Seat donor opportunities please visit Achieve’s web site or email: TakeaSeat@achievefoundation.org.