Skidmore to hold Palamountain Scholarship Benefit August 2
A Saratoga Springs summer tradition - the annual Palamountain Scholarship Benefit, titled "Polo by Twilight" - will take place Tuesday, August 2, at the Saratoga Polo Field, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The annual Skidmore College event this summer marks its 32nd year as a key fundraiser for scholarship aid.
The evening will offer a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, and a polo match, with the two teams competing for the Palamountain Cup. Serving as chairs of this year's benefit are Tabitha Orthwein '91 and Charlene Wood Courtney '83.
Amy Bergstraesser '11 with Anne Palamountain
All funds raised will go to the Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain Scholarship Fund, created to honor the College's fourth president and his wife for their 22 years of leadership. Joseph Palamountain served as Skidmore president from 1965 to 1987. The benefit was launched by Anne Palamountain in 1979, and she continues to preside over the event and to play a key role in its planning.
Among the speakers at the event will be Palamountain Scholar Amy Bergstraesser '11,an interdepartmental major in Spanish and government with a minor in international affairs. This fall she will head off to China for a year to English at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangdong Province as part of Skidmore's teach-in-China program. Her preparation includes intensive study in Mandarin Chinese.
Upon return from China, Bergstraesser plans to attend law school - she is already studying for the LSAT - and to launch a career in international law. "The academic and leadership opportunities at Skidmore allow each student to set his or her sights high and realize that career possibilities are endless," she said.
Throughout the years, one of the main attractions of the Palamountain Benefit has been the quality and presentation of the food, all of it prepared by Skidmore's Dining Services. "This event offers a unique opportunity for our staff to display their creative culinary and catering talents, " said Skidmore Executive Chef James Rose. "The Skidmore Dining Services team takes great pride in participating in this event."
The general ticket price is $125,with special "junior level" prices available - $75 for ages 27 and under and $95 for ages 28-35.
For more information go to www.skidmore.edu/palamountainbenefit or call 518-580-5671.
