It’s hard not to get swept up in the joy of a celebration like this. On a lively spring evening in Evanston, more than 300 guests gathered at Double Clutch Brewing to celebrate the graduating seniors of Evanston Scholars and rally behind the next generation of college-bound students. Aptly named POMP!, the event gave a nod to the traditional graduation march while setting the stage for an evening full of community, gratitude, and forward momentum.
From the moment guests arrived, there was a buzz in the air. Volunteers and supporters mixed and mingled in the brewery’s airy, industrial-chic space as neighbors and old friends reconnected for a common cause.
As the crowd grew, photo booth fun courtesy of XOXO Photobox added an extra dose of energy. Gorgeous florals from Paperwhite brought a soft pop of color to the room. Guests who had attended the event year after year marveled at the reimagined layout (a key Five Grain team contribution). By reorienting the space and adding a stage and drape setup from House of Rental, we ensured everyone had a front-row view of the program, which was also enhanced by crisp sound and visuals provided by RLC Audio Visual LLC and Chess Move Media. These upgrades made a real impact during the evening’s messaging, especially as powerful student stories took center stage.
The formal program kicked off with heartfelt remarks from Executive Director Steve Newman, followed by a moving video highlighting graduating seniors and the transformative journey many scholars have taken. Kierra, a member of the Evanston Scholars community, followed with touching remarks that led into a second video spotlighting the broader impact of the organization. Finally, long-time supporter and Board President, Katie Dealy wrapped it all up with final reflections and a call to action, inspiring generous support through the night’s digital donation platform.
Throughout the evening, the room’s energy never wavered. The taco bar (expertly crafted by Double Clutch) kept everyone fueled, the thermometer tracking fundraising progress crept ever higher, and even the unexpected brief thunderstorm didn’t dampen the mood.
As the crowd filtered out and the final fundraising update was announced, the success of the night was clear. Evanston Scholars had once again brought their community together in a deeply meaningful way—celebrating progress, lifting up student voices, and building excitement for what comes next. And thanks to Jill Norton Photography for ensuring we have it captured for posterity.
For the Five Grain Events team, it was an honor to support an organization doing such important work so close to home. Here’s to the graduates and to the bright futures ahead for every Evanston Scholar.