Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

Helping Underserved Students Succeed through Squash, Education and Mentoring

Board member Jacqueline Duran's table of friends and SBSOS Supporters enjoying the Magic 2025

The 2025 Santa Barbara School of Squash lovely family style dinner and auction in La Arcadia Courtyard began with magic hour cocktails as guests visited the impressive silent auction area, took family photos at the photo booth, or enjoyed fun encounters with the roaming magician before sitting down around the La Arcadia fountain to savor a delightful candle-lit family style dinner.

Welcome speeches and updates were given by Robert Graham, Executive Director and Frank Huerta, Board Chairman, followed by inspiring student testimonials from Jennifer Pocheo, San Marcos High, Jesus Arriego, Laguna Blanca, and Sofia Vargas, Santa Barbara High, and special thanks were given to the evening sponsors David Quintero & Advenir Azora, Fidelity National Title, event partners, auction co-chairs and board of directors.

According to Jacqueline Duran, SBSOS Board Member “SBSOS is quite special in that they provide squash, education and mentoring to students through the age of twenty-five, taking them through high school, college/university, and mentoring them to find careers. SBSOS goes beyond and that is what is so impressive.”

The highlight of the beautiful evening was a spectacular paddle raise led by emcee/auctioneer Courtney Rainwater that raised major donations from generous and enthusiastic donors to benefit the SBSOS. Funds raised will support a YMCA Racquetball Court Conversion, New Minivans, Full Support for One Student for A Year, Six Month Support for a student, Squash Tournaments & Travel, and more.

The Magic menu of the SBSOS family style dinner included tri-color salad, delicious choices of salmon or

short ribs accompanied by pasta and a variety of vegetables and a sinful but delicious dessert ending of flourless chocolate cake with gold dust. Along with trips and SB Bowl concert tickets, and a $5,000 event at Courthouse Distillery to raise funds. Guests enjoyed group photos at their table and applauded the sponsors, staff, and volunteers for a magical evening.

About SBSOS
SBSOS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit year-round sports, education, and mentoring program serving committed Santa Barbara youth (5th-12th grade) who qualify for the Federal Free Lunch Program. SBSOS pillars include squash/exercise, academic tutoring, community service, enrichment opportunities, and mentoring. We operate after school, on weekends, and during holidays. By using squash as a motivator, we guide students to realize their academic, athletic and personal potential. Our goal is for each student to graduate from high school prepared for their next step: college or to launch a career. We stay in contact with graduates as they work toward their post-high school goals and offer guidance and support through age 25. We are closely involved with each student on many levels and describe the program as “an inch wide but a mile deep”. For information or to donate visit: wwwsbsos.org or emailing “@sbsos.org.