On Thursday, November 13, The Steppingstone Foundation held its annual Gala at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, where 400 guests gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of Steppingstone Scholars and to support the ongoing success of the organization.

Among the evening’s Scholar honorees was Beaver Country Day School student Sumaya Ibrahim ’20, who received The Heart Award. A seventh grader, Sumaya is a stand-out Scholar who has impressed teachers with her diligence in academics and her genuine desire to give back to others. Sumaya has shown a passion for community service from a young age, coordinating bake sales to raise money for her school and preparing meals for the elderly at The Greater Boston Food Bank. While at Beaver, Sumaya has played on the field hockey team, participated in the school play, and was elected to the student council, where she is admired for her activism and eagerness to raise awareness for important causes. Her Steppingstone Advisor describes her as “a warm and caring Scholar who truly enjoys helping those in need, whether they are next door or across the world.”

For the past 24 years, Steppingstone programs have been preparing Boston students like Sumaya for educational opportunities that lead to college success. Co-chaired by Pam and Bill Holding, Isabelle and Ian Loring, and Christina and Tad O’Donnell, the benefit raised more than 1.2 million dollars to support underserved students in Boston. Guests heard from Steppingstone Board Chair Brian Conway, President Kelly Glew, Scholar Valentine Ora, and Founder Michael Danziger.