Tony Ventrella’s face became red as he took to the stage in the new Lake Washington High School auditorium. The former local TV sports anchor was played to the stage with the song Eye of the Tiger from the movie Rocky, by the Lake Washington High School band. Ventrella got into the mood and shadowboxed as he got to the mic.

“I feel like chasing a chicken across the parking lot,” Ventrella told the crowd of nearly 450 people, referencing an iconic scene in the 1970s movie.

He was the keynote speaker for the Lake Washington Schools Foundation’s seventh annual A Legacy for Learning Luncheon on Wednesday. The event raised more than $180,000 in donations, compared to last year’s $144,500.

But that good-natured spirit turned serious when Ventrella recalled hearing President John F. Kennedy speak about how education is important when he was younger.

“Every child’s flame burns brighter in different ways,” said Ventrella, who is currently the media host for the Seahawks and Sounders.

He told the crowd how important it is to find what makes that flame burn for every child and how important the LWSF is in supporting those passions.

He talked, and joked, about volunteering at his own daughter’s school in Burien.

“I spend a lot of time reading in that third grade class. I am by far the best reader,” he said to a roar of laughter.

But just like Rocky’s trainer Mickey, the speakers talked about how the LWSF helps students in the Lake Washington School District to achieve their best.

Emcee Monica Hart, a former Seattle TV news anchor, talked about how teachers help students find their passion. She asked Redmond Mayor John Marchione what teacher stood out from his childhood growing up in Redmond.

“Mrs. Rider at Ben Rush Elementary made me memorize my multiplication tables with flash cards,” said Marchione, who added that he went on to work in finance prior to becoming mayor.

The warmest welcome was reserved for outgoing Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball, who received a standing ovation.

“A friend of mine asked me to sum up my 16 years in the Lake Washington School District,” said Kimball. “It is all about relationships.”

He said that it takes a good community, from those in government to the school board, to teachers and parents, to make a great district.

“It is teachers that say ‘I can’t go to sleep yet, I want to make sure the lesson is perfect,’” said Kimball. “… It is parents that yell and scream at the top of their lungs to advocate for their kids.”

Dr. Traci Pierce, who will take over as LWSD superintendent on July 1, talked about where the district has come from, its current status and the future.

“Kids used to go to school in log cabins and ride in wood buses,” said Pierce, noting that the district made those “buses” and the kids drove the horse-drawn vehicles.

She went on to talk about the programs that the LWSF has made possible. One of those programs is LINKS, where schools pair students in need with members of the community in a mentoring capacity.

“LINKS would not be possible without the Lake Washington Schools Foundation,” said Pierce.

She also talked about how the district is preparing to adapt to its new configuration of kindergarten through fifth grade in the elementary schools, sixth through eighth grade in the junior highs and ninth through graduation in the high schools. The district is also expanding its graduation requirements by blending academic requirements with real-world experience.

“Because of our shared efforts today, our students will experience a more successful tomorrow,” said Pierce.

Part of that expansion is the Health Science Pathway Initiative Grant supported by the LWSF. Ventrella interviewed Redmond teacher Myra Arnone and student Kendrick Griffin, who are both part of the initiative. Griffin is studying the effects of agriculture chemicals on the body through the program in preparation for a career in the biomedical industry.

Andy Wappler, a longtime weatherman for KIRO and current Puget Sound Energy spokesman, talked about the importance of local schools for the business community.

“As it was when you were in high school, you had a great community that supported you,” said Wappler. “The challenge for schools is just going up.”

Wappler talked about how the energy industry is changing, with PSE opening three wind farms and bringing students to its Ellensburg plant to learn about the technology.

“We know that we are going to need people who can do these jobs,” Wappler told the Reporter. “It is better for us if our customers are educated because that makes our economy grow.”

But it was not all serious with Wappler as the LWHS band played him to the stage with burlesque music as a joke. After dancing to the music, Wappler joked that someone from work had a camera and his career might be over with PSE. He also recognized the theme with the luncheon speakers.

“We have news, weather and sports here today,” joked Wappler.

The last speaker, Zak Cherif, LWHS ASB president who is preparing to go to Washington State University next fall, said that the LWSF gives LWSD students opportunities.

“No one has ever been successful without help. Jordan had Pippen, Shaq had Kobe,” said Cherif, citing great basketball duos and continuing the sports theme that Ventrella set. “And I had the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.”