The Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) hosted its 12th annual Celebration of Education Gala on March 7, 2026, at the Northside Hospital–Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs in Canton.
This year's event, Shamrocks & Shenanigans, brought together community leaders, educators, and supporters for an unforgettable evening celebrating education and raising vital funds for the students, teachers, and staff of the Cherokee County School District (CCSD).
The black-tie event welcomed more than 430 guests and raised a record $250,000 to support CCEF's Classroom Impact Grants and Special Project Grants, which help bring innovative learning opportunities to classrooms throughout Cherokee County.
"We are so excited that our community continues to turn out in record numbers for this event. Their commitment ensures the excellence of our Cherokee County School District schools," said CCEF Executive Director Lisa-Marie Haygood.
An Evening of Entertainment
This year's Irish pub–inspired theme created a lively atmosphere from the moment guests arrived. The evening began with cocktails and a silent auction before guests gathered for dinner and entertainment.
Headlining the night was The Irish Comedy Tour, whose high-energy show blended stand-up comedy, storytelling, and traditional Irish music, bringing the spirit of a Dublin pub to the stage.
Dinner was provided by 1885 Grill, featuring Irish pub–inspired dishes including bangers and mash, deconstructed shepherd's pie, and desserts like Guinness cupcakes and Bailey's bliss cheesecake.
Games, Auctions, and Fundraising Fun
The evening included a variety of fundraising activities designed to support Cherokee County classrooms. Guests bid on artwork, gift certificates, and other unique items in the silent auction and participated in several interactive games.One of the most popular moments of the night was the Plinko fundraiser, where Darrah Smith, a teacher at Woodstock High School, won our grand prize of $10,000! The annual Heads or Tails game also returned, awarding its winner free Chick-fil-A for a year. Guests also enjoyed a live auction, raffle, and photo booth throughout the evening.
Celebrating Outstanding Alumni
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Alumni of the Year Awards to Rick Roberts and Debbie Groover Buckner. Both honorees were recognized for their lasting contributions to the Cherokee County community through public service, athletics, and education.
Thank You to Our Community
The 2026 Celebration of Education Gala was presented by PBK Architects, whose leadership support helped make the evening possible. CCEF is also grateful to the many sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees who helped make this year's event such a success.Because of the continued support from the Cherokee County community, the Gala keeps growing and making an even bigger impact for local students and teachers. You can also read more about the evening in the local coverage from the Tribune Ledger-News.
We're already looking forward to the next Celebration of Education Gala and can't wait to celebrate with you again next year!