The Magic of Midtown-Metro Shines at the 34th Annual Reach for Excellence Gala
Guests being wowed by our Midtown boy magicians during cocktail hour
Magician, Mr. Danny (middle), performing a magic trick with Metro alumna scholar, Alexa Contreras (left) and Midtown-Metro Executive Director, Vince Meno (right).
On Monday, November 3, 2025, the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago was filled with warmth, generosity, and a touch of magic as Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers hosted its 34th Annual Reach for Excellence Gala. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests, sponsors, and supporters, the evening raised over $950,000 to empower Chicago youth through Midtown-Metro’s transformative academic and character-development programs.
Midtown-Metro Board Member, Susie Pinto, emceed this magical night.
The gala was emceed this year by Midtown-Metro Board Member Susie Pinto, who welcomed guests and thanked the event’s many sponsors for helping make the evening possible. Following an invocation from Father Peter Armenio, guests enjoyed a dinner prepared by the renowned Four Seasons culinary team before the program turned to celebration and storytelling. Executive Director Vince Meno shared highlights of the organization’s impact over the past year before introducing and interviewing a program alum who embodies the “magic” of Midtown-Metro—college freshman Alexa Contreras, the 2025 Daniel Jorndt Leadership Scholar from Metro.
Larry Morris (left), Metro scholar, Alexa Contreras (right)
The main highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Reach for Excellence Awards, recognizing individuals whose leadership and service exemplify the values of Midtown-Metro. Larry Morris, a longtime board member and supporter who first joined the organization as a summer sports director in 1976, was honored for his decades of dedication to Chicago’s urban youth. Jim Doney, Chairman of Chicago Beverage Systems and a respected leader in Chicago’s hospitality industry, received the second award in recognition of his distinguished career and civic commitment. Both awards were presented by Alexa Contreras, with a bonus appearance by Metro alumnus, Casandra Vences.
The gala’s theme—“The Magic of Midtown and Metro”—came to life through the evening’s entertainment. Guests were treated to performances by Mr. Danny, a professional magician and former artist-in-residence at the Chicago Magic Lounge. Echoing the event’s theme of transformation and wonder, a group of student magicians from Midtown Achievement Center for boys delighted guests during cocktail hour with their own tricks and illusions—reminding everyone that the true magic of the night was the power of education, mentoring, and opportunity.
2025 Reach for Excellence Co-Honoree, Jim Doney, filled the room with laughter as he recounted many stories from his youth.
As the evening came to a close, guests departed with hearts full of inspiration and a renewed belief in Midtown-Metro’s mission to guide students “along pathways of success.” As Executive Director Vince Meno shared in his remarks, “Each of us has the power to transform a child’s life. That is the real magic of Midtown and Metro.”
The work continues beyond the gala night. You are invited to keep the momentum going through volunteering at our Centers or by making a year-end gift at www.midtown-metro.org/donate. Every hour volunteered and every dollar donated helps ensure that Chicago youth continue to receive the mentoring, academics, and character education they need to reach for excellence—every day of the year.
Attendees and supporters can relive the magic of the evening through the photos below and by tapping/clicking on the button to view the entire photo gallery.
About Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers: Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers (www.midtown-metro.org), through its Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Center for boys, has helped close the achievement gap for underserved students in Chicago since its founding in 1965. Its programming, focusing on academic excellence, virtue development, individual attention, and parental engagement, has led to 100% high school graduation and college enrollment for its students for over 25 consecutive years.