On January 13, 2007 at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, the South Florida Science Museum held its 20th Annual Black-Tie Gala, The Diamond Constellation Ball. This exciting, sold out event, which included dining and dancing, live entertainment and a live auction was the one of the most successful gala’s in Palm Beach history!

Willard Scott, of NBC’s Today Show, kept guests entertained throughout the evening as Master of Ceremonies and throughout the evening as he mingled with supporters of the Science Museum. Kathryn C. Vecellio, Julie Rudolph and Cindy Taylor were chairs of this spectacular evening, which raised $1 million to continue the Museum’s ongoing programs and services, which help support science.

“This gala is very important to the future of the South Florida Science Museum and Dekelboum Science Center,” said Kathryn C. Vecellio. “The South Florida Science Museum reaches more than 70,000 children a year, and it is more important than ever to raise funds today to help inspire the scientists of tomorrow. These recording breaking funds will do so much to help the Science Museum prepare thousands of children for a future in the sciences. It is going to inspire these children to become our future science leaders.”

Proceeds from the Ball support the Museum’s continuing educational programs and science enrichment programs. Grand Benefactor of the evening was Leo Albert and Corporate Benefactor was Tiffany & Co. Honorary Chairs were Patrick Park and Mary Fairbanks.

The South Florida Science Museum is a 501(c) 3 non-profit center dedicated to fostering excitement and curiosity in the field of science. For more that 45 years the Museum has hosted field trips, and delivered outreaches which create and deliver student science programs which meet Florida Sunshine State Standards, and enhance school district science curriculum for all socio-economic backgrounds. This South Florida institution has helped countless numbers of children learn that ‘Science is Cool’.

Among the 460 guests at this dazzling evening included: Mr. and Mrs. Leo Vecellio, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Rudolph, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Taylor, Leo Albert, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bateman, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Fisher, Mayor Lois Frankel, Mr. Jeff Koons, Mr. and Mrs. John Glidden, Christopher Vecellio, Michael Vecellio, Mr. and Mrs. Brett Elhilow, Virginia Oatley, Sarah Alsofrom, Sheriff and Mrs. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Fountain, Mr. Marc Hruschka, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Tompkins, Mr. and Mrs. John Kime, Ms. Sydelle Meyer, Ms. Sydell Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff Myers and Mr. and Mrs. Allan Ferrin.

The South Florida Science Museum is presently in the middle of the public phase of a 54 million dollar capital campaign to build a state-of the art science center. This unique and comprehensive center will be a symbol of the community’s cultural strength and commitment to education. The South Florida Science Museum is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach in the north end of Dreher Park. Admission is $9 adults, $7.50 seniors and $6 children.

For more information call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org.