Meet our Auction Co-Chairs

This year’s Auction Chairs Amy Walsh and Preston O’Neil both are married to Burgundy alums and each have two current children at Burgundy! Amy and Preston have a unique understanding of Burgundy and what it means to connect with our roots and long history. They appreciate the ways Burgundy’s values and ethos help prepare and balance us now and in preparing for our future. They are confident in the important role Burgundy will continue to play in our lives and in the world.

Here is an interview with co-chairs Amy and Preston; read it to learn more about their plans for the big event and why it’s so important to them.

Christen: Why did you volunteer to chair the Auction?

Amy: Because we love Burgundy and the experience our children our getting to have. It is molding them into whole human beings, which is equally important to the academics. We want to make sure that all children have access to this type of education. It fosters a better understanding of the world.

Preston: It also enriches our own community when we make the Burgundy experience available to more people. Everyone who is here together weaves the fabric of the school. I also think that, aside from all of the good that is done the night of the Auction, it is a great opportunity to meet other people at the school. It’s a nice chance to get together and solidify some of the parent love in the class.

Amy: And meet parents and people from outside your class as well!

Christen: Why did you choose the theme, “Connecting with our Roots?”

Amy: We both have spouses and extended family who attended Burgundy and we’ve seen how it molded them into wonderful human beings. We also think it’s important to remember our history—Burgundy was the first integrated school in Virginia and as a cooperative the families were involved from the beginning. It is important to recall those ideas we were founded on and continue along those same lines as we forge ahead.

Preston: One of the things that has been really cool is that, as we’ve looked through photos in the archives, aside from the dated fashions they could be photos from today. There are photos, for example, of parents working together to put together the Fall Fair. While times have changed and life’s gotten busier, there’s just something about this group of people that have signed up to work together to create a better world and teach this idea to their children.

Amy: And there is no better example than the Auction of the community all coming together to support an environment that is very inclusive and enriches all of our lives—from donations to volunteering time to just showing up. Everyone is so involved; it’s emblematic of the whole ethos of Burgundy.

Preston: I think another thing we thought a lot about in coming up with the theme is that Burgundy is creating strong roots in the children that are here. I feel like I’m giving my children strong roots to go out into the world and to grow into whomever they are meant to be and to affect the world however they may affect the world. Really this theme is all about forward motion.

Amy: I can also speak to the fact that the Burgundy community extends far beyond the campus. My husband and brother-in-law’s Burgundy friends remain dear friends today. We get together on a monthly basis. Our kids have become friends with their kids. They have enriched our lives thoroughly.

Christen: Beyond the purpose of the Auction, what is your favorite part about this event?

Amy: Are we allowed to say that it’s the drinks?! Truly, it’s the sense of community that the event fosters. Everyone gets to know one another better and I get to spend time with people I love and whose kids I love but don’t see often because we all have busy lives. It’s a time to build those relationships.

Preston: I love seeing what people come up with every year. When I run into you at carpool, I have no idea that you are into skydiving or aerial yoga. It’s fun to see a different side of those we interact with all the time.

Christen: What will the gym look like the night of the Auction?

Amy: It will not look like a gym. It will be totally transformed!

Preston: Elegant, but warm.

Christen: Is there anything else you want people to know about the Auction?

Preston: The Auction really is for everybody, whether you’re coming to shop or just to hang out with friends. It is a community event.

Amy: There will be items at all price points and there is no requirement to buy anything. Plus, we’ll have a really interesting look back at our past through to today. I think people will really enjoy seeing those visuals.

Preston: I’m excited that there are more experiential donations this year. Stuff is great; I have my eye on some of the stuff! But in that same vein of fostering community, I think it’s great that people have been coming up with more experiences, more sign-up parties, more things we can do together outside of school.

Amy: And, of course, if you can’t make it out, we will miss you very much but you can still bid!