Welcome to the HCA Gala!

Thank you for joining us!

Welcome to the 2024 Harvest Christian Academy Gala Auction & Fundraiser! Tonight, we are celebrating 20 YEARS of God’s faithfulness to HCA. Our school opened it’s doors back in 2004 and since then, we have witnessed the Lord be faithful to His mission over and over: to make disciples. We pray that tonight you would be inspired as we reflect on all that the Lord has done over the last 20 years, but also pray that you would join us as we look to the future of our school, as we wait to see what the Lord is going to do.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy tonight’s program! 

View Auction Items

View items and bid on your favorites!

Welcome our GALA Sponsors

Welcome our GALA Emcees

Pastor Christian Constante or “PC,” has been a teacher at HCA for 7 years, teaching Bible to high school students. He is originally from Ecuador, has been married to his wife Jill for 25 years and has four boys: one HCA alumni, Johnny that graduated in 2020 that currently attends Illinois State University and three current HCA students: Mateo is a junior, Eli is a freshman and Caleb is in 6th grade. PC also serves as the pastor for Harvest en Español, the Spanish ministry of Harvest Bible Chapel. He loves to play/coach/watch lots of soccer, play guitar, read a good book and appreciates a good meal. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and as a sneakerhead, he will be happy to talk about sneakers with anybody. He is a size 8.5 or 9 just in case you need to know.

Joel Aurand has been blessed to be a part of the HCA community since 2016. He taught 3rd grade for 5 years before moving to the K-8 Spiritual Life director role. (He believes Mr. Young moved him to 5th and 6th grade so others would have a chance in the Lower School March Madness Reading Challenge). He has been happily married to his wife Colleen for 10 years this May. They reside in Elgin with their two daughters Mercy and Miriam. Mercy loves being a part of the HCA Early Learning Program. When he’s not at school you can find Joel being a goofy dad trying his best to raise his girls, cheering on his favorite sports teams, serving at church, or attempting to build something in his garage.

Our KEYNOTE Speaker, Dr. Jeff Mattner

Dr. Jeff Mattner is the Senior Director of the Central Division for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), caring for and providing services to more than 600 schools in 18 states throughout the Midwest. Prior to his current position at ACSI, Jeff led three Christian schools for 29 years, including five years as Head of School at Harvest Christian Academy (2006-2011). Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree from Nyack College (NY), his Master’s degree from William Patterson University (NJ), and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University (FL). Jeff and his wife Wendy (who served at HCA for 10 years as guidance counselor) have been married for 41 years, have three beautiful daughters and 10 grandchildren (plus one on the way)  who keep them young at heart.

Meet the LIVE PAINTING Artist

HCA is thrilled to welcome Laura Zickert to the HCA Gala as our live painting artist!

Laura graduated from HCA in 2011. During her time at HCA, she discovered her passion for art and graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a degree in Fine Arts. She has used her degree in a variety of ways including digital marketing, home woodworking installations, event design, and more.

You probably recognize her murals that she has done throughout the halls of HCA!
She is married to Drew and together they have pursued the ministry of loving children and families through foster care. When she is not busy with her children, family, and community, she is focusing her energy on her business, Woodcut Collective, an event design company.
 
Bid to win her gorgeous artwork during the live auction!

 

Tonight's MUSICAL GUEST Landon Salman

Landon is an Arkansas native who recently moved to Chicago as the Associate Worship Pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel Rolling Meadows. He and his wife Mercedes were recently married in August 2023 after meeting in college at Ouachita Baptist University, where he pursued a degree in Christian Studies with an emphasis in Christian Ministry with a minor in Music. Landon has been a worship leader for 12 years both at the Pastoral & volunteer level, and he loves to witness God’s people approach the throne of grace with adoration and sincerity.

Thank you to our Gala AUCTIONEER Tim Pfister

Our 23-24 DISTINGUISHED Alumni Recipient

Meet Rebecca Gafrick, HCA’s 23-24 Distinguished Alumni recipient!
 
Becca graduated from HCA in 2019. She then attended Aurora University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in just 3 years. Becca is a go getter and hard worker who does all that she does with excellence.
 
Becca served last year in the HCA nurse’s office filling in during our season of need. She is now a cardiac nurse where she loves and serves her patients and families with grace and dignity. Becca is well respected by her peers in her department for her diligence, persistence, and willingness to go above and beyond.
 
While at HCA Becca was an excellent student and a key part of the cross country and track teams. The lessons she learned and her love for running continue as she ran a marathon this past fall.
 
Becca will be joining us at the HCA Gala tonight to pull the ticket for the Tuition Raffle pull!
 
 

Thank you to our Hca CORPORATE Sponsors

Learn more about our HCA Corporate Sponsors here.

Thank you to our Gala VENDORS

PRODUCTION
Mr. Bryan Tripp
VIDEOGRAPHY & ANNIVERSARY VIDEO
Louis Go & Harvest Bible Chapel Communications Team
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Thank you to our AUCTION donors

Acucare
AMC Theaters
Amy Johnson
Basak family 
Business Office Solutions
Chickerneo family
Chick-fil-a
Christian Constante
Cindy Gafric
Clay Harbor
Coach Kurcz
Cornerstone Photography
Cory Harbor
Danielle Keller
Despy Bales
Elgin Country Club
Emily Davis
Escapade 360
First Watch Restaurant
Fredericksen Family 
Fred Astaire Dance/Grytsak family
Gerke family

HCA
HCA Early Learning families
HCA Kindergarten families
HCA 1st grade families
HCA 2nd grade families
HCA 3rd grade families
HCA 4th grade families
HCA 5th grade families 
HCA 6th grade families
HCA 7th grade families
HCA 8th grade families
HCA 9th grade families
HCA 10th grade families
HCA 11th grade families
HCA 12th grade families
HCA Admissions
HCA Athletics
HCA Baseball Team
HCA Cricut Club
Health in Balance Chiropractic
Herther family

Jenni Frain
Jennifer Gonnam
Jesse Crognale
JL Hair Loft
Joel Aurand
Karly Schneiderwind
Kathy Volz
Kim Floyd
Kountry Pet Resort
Laura Zickert
Luxury Escapes International
Marinas family
McKenna family
Medieval Times
MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel
M.J. Miller & Co.
Noelle Hoffmeister
Nordstrom
NOW Arena

Sam Kownacki
Schaumburg Boomers
Smerek family
Reilly Photography
Thomas family
Top Shelf Sports Cards
Veronica Werneske
Wesa family

Thank you to our Gala COMMITTEE members

Jessica McKenna
Ana Gomez
Jenni Frain

Cristina Preda
Brooke Herther
Angela Hlavacek
Nicole Moore

Jennie Labib
Kristy Weidman
Lisa Crowe
Lauryn Miller

 

Thank you to our STUDENT volunteers

Isabelle Abraham
Faith Bartlett
Alex Berry
Doug Berry
Tyler Cho
Max Lopez Chung

Hanne Giovenco
Sophia Johnson
Madison Linta
Faith Macek
Samantha Macek
McKenna Nestrick

Anja Schneiderwind
Gavin Shepherd
Charles Smerek
Salome Simmons
Aila Tatina
Leslie Uriostegui
Kenzie Weidman

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

Harvest Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.