Zach Page Band to headline WEF gala

The Whitesboro Education Foundation (WEF) will hold its annual Denim & Diamonds Winter Gala on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Mustang Creek Event Center. Headlining this year’s event will be the Zach Page Band.

All proceeds from the event go directly to the Whitesboro Independent School District (WISD) through teacher grants for classroom education and scholarships for graduating seniors. Last year’s event raised around $33,000 for this purpose.

Individual tickets are $50 and reserved tables of 10 are either $700 (Platinum Sponsor – includes name and logo recognition and 10 complimentary raffle tickets) or $1,000 (Diamond Sponsor – includes name and logo recognition, reserved VIP parking for one vehicle, swag bag, 10 complimentary raffle tickets and two bottles of spirits). 

Guests will enjoy an open bar (tip donations appreciated), dinner of bacon-wrapped chicken and medallion sirloin steak catered by Feast On This, a 360-degree photo booth and live entertainment by WISD alum and award-winning performer Elly (Harper) Dugger who will open for the Zach Page Band.

A silent auction will offer prizes like gift baskets provided by each WISD campus; a gift certificate for two dozen cookies from Simply Sweet; Texas Rangers tickets, parking and swag; a 30-day conditioning package for one horse at Premier Equine Vet Clinic; and a senior session valued at $350 by Christine Davis Photography.

A live auction will include items like free flowers for a year from Flowers By Faith; locally renowned Hargett Brownies; delicious desserts by Simply Sweet; Chris Stapleton concert tickets; and a Henry Golden Boy .22 Lever Action Rifle.

There will also be a raffle drawing for two tickets to a Jason Aldean concert (plus a $200 dinner) for April 17, 2026 at Winstar World Casino. Tickets are only $20 each or $50 for three. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling Jodie Tucker at 903-564-4196 or emailing [email protected] 

Established in 2003, the Whitesboro Education Foundation has raised over $235,000 for teacher grants and student scholarships. Of that, more than $120,000 has been in classroom grants (which benefit all students attending Whitesboro schools) and 165 student scholarships have been distributed.

WISD teachers are extremely grateful for the supplies, tools and resources the WEF grants have been able to provide.

“Hayes Primary School Kindergarten has been so thankful to receive multiple grants the last few years from the Whitesboro Education Foundation,” teacher Lindsay Rand said. “They have helped us to provide daily supplies for our students, computer program access to strengthen our learning for social studies, art supplies and so much more! The WEF provides amazing support for our students and staff. Thanks for all you do!”

Whitesboro Middle School/High School choir teacher Amber Speer seconds Rand’s appreciation.

“The Whitesboro Education Foundation blessed our choir program with musicians’ chairs, boomwhackers, drums and shakers,” Speer said. “These have helped our students gain better posture and comfort and become better musicians.”

WHS graduates have also expressed their gratitude for the scholarship funds the WEF Winter Gala has been able to provide. Former WEF scholarship recipient Zalenka Brannan (WHS class of ’23) graduated from Texas A&M University Texarkana in December and will soon be attending law school to become a criminal prosecutor.

“The WEF scholarship allowed me to the opportunity to attend and graduate college with a lessened financial burden,” Brannan said. “I graduated this past December with many honors, including Summa Cum Laude, President’s Honor Roll, Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and three appearances at the national NAIA collegiate championship races. I will be heading to law school in the fall and look forward to continuing to strengthen my education.”

Corbin Wolf (WHS class of ’25) is currently studying business at Clemson University while completing the prerequisite courses needed to pursue Physician Assistant School. This has been made possible in part by the WEF scholarship he received last year.

“The Whitesboro Education Foundation scholarship has been a constant reminder that my hometown believes in me even as I’ve taken on the challenges of my first year at Clemson University,” Wolf said. “Knowing I carry that support with me has pushed me to fully invest in my academics and campus life, knowing that I represent a community that has invested in my future and continues to support my growth beyond the classroom.”

This year’s event sponsors include Kiwanis Club of Whitesboro, First United Bank, Holiday Chevrolet, First State Bank, MB Electric, Whitesboro Economic Development Corporation, Whitesboro Industrial Development Corporation, Whitesboro ISD, Dennards, Mustang Creek Event Center, Atlantic National Trust, Domino’s Pizza, Axtell Pharmacy, City of Whitesboro, Skreen Door Printing, Legend Bank, Davis Water Well, Home Sweet Hutch, 4U Credit Union, Trident, Hooked on Rods guide service, Bob Utter Kia, Straight Up Chiropractic and 1st Texas Home Health.

For more information about the Whitesboro Education Foundation, contact any board member or call 903-564-4280.