Photograph by Robert Latour
In an evening filled with grandeur, sparkle and surprise, actress Sela Ward received the Robert Graham Visionary Award on Thursday, April 28th. The setting could not have been more inspiring: the sprawling Bel Air home of legendary producer Freddy DeMann and his wife Candy DeMann. Within this classic Spanish architectural triumph, built in the late 1920’s, Yo San friends, family, students, and supporters gathered to pay homage to the legendary artist Robert Graham and the award that was created in his memory three years ago. This award, inspired by the collaborative efforts of Angelica Huston, artist Steven Graham (Robert’s son), and Drs. Mao Shing and Daoshing Ni, recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to wellness and healthcare in the United States and abroad.
The beautiful and talented Sela Ward has devoted herself to providing safe shelter and much-needed ongoing medical care to victims of emotional and physical abuse at Hope Village in Meridian, Mississippi. Hope Village is a model of extraordinary philanthropy that offers hope for children who face unthinkable dangers in their daily lives. Sela Ward’s long list of credits include roles on CSI: New York, Sisters (for which she won her first Emmy), and her memorable performance in the film Nothing in Common, where she starred with actor Tom Hanks. In front of an admiring crowd at the DeMann’s sprawling estate, Sela accepted the award with grace and charm, reminding us all that even the brightest of Hollywood’s shining stars can be humble, generous, and truly committed to an exceptional cause. Steven Graham presented the crystal masterpiece to Sela Ward, making the moment especially moving.
Yo San University Board members, Yo San staff and Yo San faculty were present everywhere that evening. Andrea Murchison, our Assistant Academic Dean, was front and center, greeting every guest as he or she arrived. Ed Mervine, our Financial Aid Coordinator, changed hats and coordinated video presentations praising and explaining the work done at Hope Village. Beautiful signs, artfully created by Tora Flint, Yo San’s Office Manager, decorated all of the tables and tastefully announced all of our volunteers to the guests. And then there were the volunteers… This year’s team of Yo San volunteers clearly set a new standard for perfection. Dressed in crisp new shirts from Singapore which cleverly highlighted the artistic style of the evening, over a dozen Yo San students performed every imaginable task and never tired – they tended bar, served drinks and hors d’oeuvres, served guests at the buffet tables, assisted superstar chef Chad Gardner, set up and managed the sound system, cleaned everything, secured the perimeter… the list goes on and on. Once again, Yo San students demonstrated, with sweet equity, their selfless commitment to the university’s mission and its goals.
After so much exquisite food, and so many wonderful speeches and presentations, the time arrived for the special auctions. This year, three items were up for grabs: a fully catered dinner for ten by the outstanding chef-of-the-evening Chad Gardner (brother of Yo San student Julianne Gardner), a private “Curator’s Tour” and reception for twelve people by the Santa Monica Museum, and a comprehensive Feng Shui assessment of one’s home or business by none other than Dr. Mao Shing Ni. When the bidding frenzy was over, four winners remained, thanks to the exceptional generosity of Chad Gardner who, at the height of the auction, added a second ‘dinner-for-ten’ into the mix. Proceeds from the exciting auction and from all contributions to this priceless evening will be used to support the Yo San University Community Clinic and Externship Programs.
To everyone who played a part in this very magical event, our greatest thanks!
Special thanks to our fabulous volunteers:
Jose Bermudez
Adam Cappuccino
Steven Carter
Laraine Crampton
Emma Dan
Tora Flint
Wendy Gerrish
Vicky Kong
Cherry Krasaeyan
Shui Lan May
Ed Mervine
Monica Mukai
Andrea Murchison
JP O’Hara
Jonathan Olcott
Tram Pham
Mary Schulz
Gabby Sigala Orozco
Alissa Smith
Tobe Stacey
Loren Stiteler
Penny Weinraub