BY GREGG L. PARKER

Monte Carlo will be the exotic setting of the 2011 gala for Pope John Paul II Catholic High School.

This year marks the gala’s 15th anniversary, chairperson Michelle Kloske said. “An Evening in Monte Carlo” will be held Nov. 12 from 6 p.m. to midnight in the North Hall of the Von Braun Center.

“The gala is the largest annual fundraiser for Catholic High,” Kloske said. The school’s parent association sponsors the event.

Proceeds will help to furnish the new campus with state-of-the-art technology and educational materials. “The school is celebrating the second year in its new facility within Thornton Research Park,” Kloske said. “With more than 400 students, the school currently has the highest student enrollment in its history.”

“We have a wonderful group of volunteers and supporters who have come together to help make this year’s gala a fabulous night of fundraising and entertainment,” she said.

Tickets are $75 per person and include an elegant dinner of steak and chicken, a decadent dessert and complimentary beer and wine.

“In addition, guests will enjoy live and silent auctions,” Kloske said. “The fabulous auction items include a stunning diamond cross necklace from Grogan Jewelers, a lovely fur jacket, a tornado preparedness kit with generator, gift baskets, college football goodies galore and a jersey signed by Auburn University standout Cam Newton.”

In addition, a large array of artwork will be auctioned. “The auction has something for everyone and is a great place to shop for Christmas,” Kloske said.

The master of ceremonies will be Greg Thompson, director of liturgy and music at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison. “Greg also is a local disc jockey. We’re looking forward to a lively evening of music and dancing with Greg at the helm,” Kloske said.

To promote the Monte Carlo theme, the casino games section has been expanded. Grogan Jewelers is sponsoring a “Diamonds on Ice” game. Guests can compete in Bingo games for prizes like an iPad and car raffle ticket.

“This year’s grand prize is a 2011 Jeep Compass, sponsored in part by Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep,” she said. Car raffle tickets are sold separately at $100 each. Ticket holders aren’t required to be present to win.

“We look forward to seeing many Pope John Paul II Catholic High friends and supporters at the gala,” 2011 co-chairperson Beth Boyer said. “It is going to be a fabulous evening of fellowship and fundraising that you won’t want to miss.”

Tickets for the event and car raffle are available at jp2gala.info or at the school, 7301 Old Madison Pike in Huntsville. Also, guests can print order forms on the Web site and mail with payment to the school.

Pope John Paul II Catholic High School is a college preparatory school for grades 9-12. The school holds accreditation through the Diocese of Birmingham from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association.

For more information, call 256-430-1760 or send email to jp2gala@gmail.com.