Monte Carlo Night: The Big Winner Is: Smith!

Every year, the Smith community gathers at Monte Carlo Night to celebrate everything Smith. This year, Monte Carlo night took place on Saturday February 7, 2009 at the Galleria at Lafayette Center in Washington D.C. For the first time, the event was expanded to include alumni, part-time, full-time, and executive MBA students.

A group of students and alumni size each other up during a hand of Texas Hold ‘Em, one of the many faux gambling games available.

On behalf of the Smith community, Thandi Akerele, VP of Community Development, MBAA, presented a check of $4000 to Kristy Ochs, Vice Principal of KIPP DC.

Monte Carlo Night is a valued Smith tradition that was established in 2002 by MBA students to raise money for the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Every year, a portion of each ticket sold is donated to benefit a local charity. Since its inception, Monte Carlo night has grown every year and has become a keystone event of the MBA student calendar.
  
Attire for the evening was suggested black tie. Similar to past years, Monte Carlo Night featured food, dancing, prizes, an open bar, and faux-gambling in a casino-like environment. With such a list of activities, it’s no surprise that Monte Carlo night was yet again a sell-out.
 
In keeping with tradition, a check of $4,000 was presented to KIPP DC, a network of high-performing, college-preparatory charter schools in Washington D.C., which serve the city’s under-resourced communities.  
 
This year's Monte Carlo Night committee worked hard to make one of the grandest events Smith has ever had. "When we sat down and started the initial brainstorming sessions, our goal was to have an event that would be remembered for years to come, an event that would blow the previous year's out the water, an event that would be great fun!  I think we achieved all three," said Thandi Akerele, VP-Community Development, MBA Association.
 
Based on attendee feedback, the event was a huge success - and rightfully so. Monte Carlo Night provided a unique opportunity for students to interact with alumni, faculty, and staff - and all for a great cause.  
 
"I must say that the success of this event is because of a great team behind it. I would also like to thank a great group of volunteers who helped make this event run flawlessly. The class of 2010 will have a lot to do next year if they want to top this, but I am confident that they will," said Akerele.
 
Pete Baird, MBA Candidate 2009, Smith Media Group