On January 17th, Emilia Fanjul’s highly-anticipated yearly fundraiser, named A Night of Great Expectations, was a great success, raising funds for the philanthropist’s Glades Academy Foundation.

Held at Café Boulud, the event — which was underwritten by her husband, Pepe Fanjul, allowing every dollar raised to go directly to the foundation — drew over 160 prominent guests.

The Foundation — which supports two charter schools, Glades Academy Elementary and Middle School and Everglades Preparatory Academy High School, both in Pahokee — helps to facilitate the education of approximately 400 underserved children, grades K-12, from the Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay areas of Western Palm Beach County.

A spirited auction, once again presided over by the formidable Tom Quick, was a great success, helping to raise over $1.6 million for the evening. Three students expressed both their gratitude and joy at being able to attend the charter schools. Yaneli Monica, an 8th grader at Glades Academy, said, “Glades Academy not only provides us with a quality education and amazing experiences beyond the classroom, but also with the love, care and attention we need and deserve. Glades Academy will always be my home away from home!”

Two students from Everglades Preparatory Academy High School, Rashad Robinson and Jose Jaimes, also expressed their thankfulness.

“After enrolling in several schools throughout the state of Florida with no success, my mother enrolled me in Everglades Preparatory Academy,” said Robinson. “On day one during orientation, I was told although my past life was filled with challenges, fears and failures, I can rewrite my future.”

Jaimes added, “ ‘Prep’ as we often call our school, provided me with a smaller school setting and an innovative and non-traditional learning environment, both of which met my academic needs.”

“The money raised at the event will go to fund a middle school college tour, 3-D printers and materials, mobile smart boards, field trips and 200 Chromebook laptops, among many other critical needs,” concluded the powerhouse, Mrs. Fanjul. “Glades Academy Foundation will continue to fund any other necessary academic programs that will give the students the opportunity to succeed in their future lives.”

Click through the gallery below to see photos from the evening.