Polo by Twilight raises record $327,560
More than 500 guests celebrated the 40th anniversary of Skidmore College’s Polo by
Twilight Palamountain Scholarship Benefit.
The event, a mainstay of the Saratoga Springs summer calendar, raised $327,560, surpassing
last year’s total of $318,286. Proceeds benefit the Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain
Scholarship Fund, which honors Skidmore’s late president and his wife. The fund has
provided more than 400 scholarships for Skidmore College students since 1979.
Nkosingiphile “NK” Nonhlakanipho Mabaso, a graduate of Skidmore and the Oprah Winfrey
Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, received the sixth Anne T. Palamountain
Scholar Award at the Tuesday, July 23, event at the Saratoga Polo Fields.
NK Mabaso and Eleuterio Martinez, the 2019 and 2018 Palamountain Scholar Award winners
Mabaso, who graduated from Skidmore in 2019 with a degree in sociology with a minor
in computer science, thanked attendees. She spoke about her experience growing up
in poverty near Johannesburg, South Africa, and opportunities afforded by education.
“All of you are here out of your own kindness, love, support, faith, optimism and
hope for others,” said Mabaso. “I get to stand here today where so many other intelligent,
hard-working, thoughtful and ambitious scholars have stood to receive this award.
I am honored beyond belief.”
In the same spirit of leadership, service to others and commitment to the larger good
of society that Anne Palamountain championed, Mabaso shared a message in Zulu, one
of the languages of South Africa: “Lokhu enikwenzele mina, ngathi ningaqhubeka nikwenzele
abanye.”
It means: “That which you have done for me, may you continue to do for others.”
Skidmore College President Philip A. Glotzbach remembered philanthropist and thoroughbred
breeder and owner Marylou Whitney, who died Friday, July 19, at the age of 93. Whitney
was a co-founder of the benefit, an honorary committee member and a friend of Anne
Palamountain.
President Philip and Marie Glotzbach with Marylou Whitney at the 2017 Polo by Twilight benefit
Glotzbach described Whitney as “a very special friend of Skidmore, Saratoga Springs
and the whole region” and lauded her “passion, leadership, tireless advocacy and inimitable
style.” He also praised Whitney’s generosity, saying: “Many have followed her example
and thousands have benefitted from it.”
Glotzbach thanked event co-chairs Scott Erickson and Yvonne McEachron and the many
volunteers who have made the benefit a success over the past four decades. Tuesday’s
guests participated in silent and live auctions, and enjoyed a gourmet dinner prepared
by Skidmore’s award-winning chefs.
