A Journey to Wonderland at the 2026 Gala

Great Hearts Arizona is excited to announce the 9th annual Great Hearts Gala: Where Curiosity Leads, Learning Follows. The enchanting Alice in Wonderland inspired evening will take place on Saturday, November 7^th, 2026 at Scottsdale Hangar One with a hosted cocktail reception, silent auction, wine pull, and our traditional program highlighting inspiring Great Hearts students and faculty, along with a live auction and paddle raise. The evening will conclude with music, dancing, and celebration.

General admission tickets and premier tickets (with early access) are available now at an “early-bird” discount, but “don’t be late for this very important date,” because pricing will go up beginning July 1. A general admission ticket includes (1) seat at a shared table of 10. A premier ticket includes (1) premier seat at a shared table of 10, access to the VIP reception, and (1) $50 Uber credit. Valid exclusively for transportation to Hangar One on November 7th, 2026.

PURCHASE GALA TICKETS NOW

All proceeds support our Teacher Excellence Fund providing bonus compensation to reward and retain our best Great Hearts Arizona teachers.

Each and every one of our great teachers is a student at heart. They are women and men of curiosity and imagination, always interested in learning something new, and able to envision a life shaped by what they have learned.  They have a deep capacity for empathy and wonder, the ability to be moved greatly both by others and by the surrounding world. They are ready to lead and encourage their scholars on a parallel journey. That is why they deserve our honor and our support through events like this one.

The theme is based on the classic 1865 English children’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, more commonly known as Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carol. This timeless work of Victorian literature has never been out of print, and is part of the Great Hearts Reading List for third graders.

This year’s Gala is made possible thanks to the invaluable work of the 2026 Great Hearts Gala Committee:  Joel and Emily Blosser (Anthem), Karlie Stafford (Anthem), Jeffrey and Megan Davis (Anthem), Marilyn Ortega (Anthem), Andrew and Rebecca Altman (Glendale), Anthony and Desarae Puchta (Glendale), Bryan and Ashley Dance (Glendale), Matthew and Wanna Goddard (Lincoln), Sue Kuraja (Lincoln), Bryan and Marybeth Burt (North Phoenix), Todd and Katie Severson (North Phoenix), Aaron and Lora Smith (Scottsdale), Bryan and Shanda O’Donnell (Scottsdale), Wendi Medders (Trivium), Kent and Korenna Wilson (Veritas), Valery Peep (Veritas), and Robert and Kelsey Waer (Veritas).

Join us for a journey “through the rabbit hole” and help us support the great-hearted teachers who shape our future leaders. For more information about the Gala, visit https://aesaz.co/ELP/GHEARTS26/

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.