REF BOWLING CLASSIC ROLLS AGAIN

Following a two-year hiatus, a community of friends, families and businesses returned to support the Rockwall ISD Education Foundation (REF) at their Annual Bowling Classic. The 2022 event, presented by Park Place Motorcars Dallas, is the largest fundraiser put on by the REF; the thousands of dollars raised through team registrations and a silent auction are going toward resources that otherwise aren’t possible for RISD learners and educators.

“This is just such a fun event,” Ashlei Neill, executive director of the REF, said. “I think people enjoy it because it’s different than other fundraisers, and we’re just so glad to be back.”

In addition to the 144 bowlers, more than 30 guests and volunteers experienced the one-of-a-kind event that included some friendly competition (between bowlers AND silent auction bidders), a fantastic photo booth provided by Rayson’s Creations Kaptured Memories and a Mystery Bag raffle. REF president, Lacy Deckard, had this to share, “This year’s Rockwall Education Foundation bowling tournament was a huge success! The amount that we were able to raise for our teachers and students in Rockwall ISD is due to the tremendous support from our community. We had a wide range of donors and team sponsors including local businesses, educators and leadership teams. We certainly could not have pulled off such a successful event without our board members, staff and volunteers. We look forward to hosting the REF Bowling Classic again next spring, and hope to see YOU there!”

Competing in the finals were the defending grand champions the Springer BowlDawgs-I, the Park Place Pin Slayers and the Gutter Chaos team from Verner Brumley/Rob McGanus. Winning by a margin of 117, the Springer BowlDawgs-I retained their title of Grand Champion. The First Place Loser trophy went to Drinking Team With a Bowling Problem who faced B1Bank Loves Fate and the Springer BowlDawgs-II in the Consolation Bracket Finals.

Along with Park Place Motorcars of Dallas, other sponsors involved in the event include Silver Sponsor Rob McGanus-Verner & Brumley, Lane Sponsors K&S Insurance, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLC, and Special Products & Manufacturing. The photo booth was sponsored by Hite Digital, and North Texas Indoor Digital Billboard provided digital promotions.

It couldn’t be a tournament without trophies! The Most Stylish Alley Attire, sponsored by State Representative Justin Holland went to Monday Night Lights, the Highest Scoring Campus, sponsored by Rest Haven went to RHHS; the Most Creative Team Name, sponsored by Lacy Deckard was awarded to Gutterly Ridiculous and the First Place Loser, sponsored by Dwight & Don’s Auto Care was proudly accepted by Drinking Team With a Bowling Problem.

Bowling wasn’t the only feature at the event; a silent auction kept the attention of several participants who were determined to have winning bids. Items in the auction were generously provided by: American National Bank Texas, Card My Yard-Rockwall, Chick-fil-A, Coach N BBQ, Culver’s, CycleBar-Rockwall, Heath Nutrition & Health, Lacy Deckard-Realtor, Dental Professionals of Rockwall, Divas & Darlings, Eldorado Fine Cigars, Graceful Wellness, Hilton Dallas-Rockwall Lakefront, Manny’s Uptown-Heath, Luigi’s, Order from Chaos, Racquet & Jog, Rockwall Gymnastics Academy, Rockwall ISD, Rockwall Medical Massage, Rockwall School of Music, Rockwall Sports Center, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Soulman’s, Springhill Suites by Marriott, Standard Service, The Flower Basket, Young Chefs Academy and Zanata.

Next year’s tournament will take place mid-spring with a few twists and modifications to keep the event fun and fresh. Several first-time attendees such as Gerald Hendrick, president of Rockwall Wealth Advisors, have already committed to the 2023 tournament, “I can’t believe I’ve never been to the bowling classic before but I’ll definitely come back every year because it’s such a great time, and supporting the REF and the school district makes it even that much better” he said.

The Rockwall ISD Education Foundation was chartered in 2003 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It operates separately from the school district and relies on funding from community members, business partners and philanthropic friends. Funds that are raised support district educators and learners by providing resources that otherwise aren’t possible; to date, the REF has awarded more than $565,000 in Innovative Teaching Grants.

For more information about the REF please visit rockwallisd.com/EdFoundation.