Santa Maria Sun / School Scene

Sample some surf 'n' turf for a good cause

Who’s hungry for a little surf ‘n’ turf? If you answered yes, you’re in luck: On Nov. 10, St. Mary of the Assumption School will hold its second annual All-You-Can-Eat Surf and Turf Celebration starting at 6 p.m. in the school’s multipurpose hall at 302 S. Miller St.

Looking sharp: The Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau’s Blue Jacket Bonanza Program made its debut at the National FFA Convention Oct. 24 through 27 in Indianapolis, Ind. Launched in 2010, the Blue Jacket Bonanza program provides local FFA students the opportunity to earn their own blue jackets. Pictured are students and Santa Maria FFA advisors with Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau Executive Director Teri Bontrager and Lee Anne Shiller from the national FFA at the convention. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FARM BUREAU

The dinner includes king crab legs, top sirloin, side dishes, and dessert, with the sounds of Sammy Labastida Jazz n Blues Band playing in the background. A limited number of $50 tickets are still available at St. Mary of the Assumption School and at St. Mary’s Church rectory.

Funds raised by the extravaganza will support the final construction phase of the school’s new outdoor gathering and lunch area, including a weatherproof overhead cover.

“Our first Surf and Turf Celebration was so successful [last year] we completed a technology upgrade for our classrooms. We purchased a laptop for each classroom, which, combined with school document cameras and projectors, allowed teachers to display papers, articles, pictures, and computer programs to the entire class,” St. Mary’s School principal Michelle Cox said in a press release.

The dinner was the brainchild of Clifford Labastida and Robert Bonilla.

“As graduates of St. Mary’s School, we want to give back to the community. When we saw how many people came out to support the school last year, we immediately decided the Surf and Turf needed to become an annual event,” Labastida explained in the press release.

Added Cox, “We’re excited they wanted to lead the dinner and make it an annual school event. It will bring the community together, including our many alumni, while allowing us to develop a better educational program for our children. St. Mary’s School truly is blessed with amazing alumni and friends.”

Tickets can be purchased at St. Mary of the Assumption School, 424 E. Cypress St., in Santa Maria or by calling 925-6713 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Founded Sept. 14, 1938, St. Mary of the Assumption School is the Santa Maria Valley’s oldest Catholic school.