Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A glorious evening began as guests arrived at the Club Regina. The sky was clear and the sun was out in all of its glory. Guests were taken to the garden area where the Four Seasons Punta Mita had set up a gigantic bar to serve four of their specially designed cocktails for this "Casablanca" evening.

The drink which led to Humphrey Bogart's memorable words to Ingrid Bergman, "Here's looking at you, kid," as he fixed her a Champagne Cocktail was Four Seasoned into a Mexican 75 Champagne Cocktail, which included the usual ingredients with Tequila Don Fulano Añejo added. Other unique and tasty cocktails were the Anaramara Margarita, El Burro and Mexican Martini - each a sensory delight to be enjoyed leisurely by beautifully dressed Ball goers.

The delightful cocktail hour afforded time for the guests to peruse the nearly 100 silent auction items - all donated by generous people who, like Becas, believe that education is the key to success.

Please join us in thanking these donors by buying their goods and services:

Ada Colorina, Archie's Wok, Artepil Spa, Benitto's Restaurant, Botanical Gardens Vallarta, Bravos Restaurant Bar. Café des Artistes, Casa Isabel Resort, Casa Magna Marriott Resort, Casa Isabel Restaurant, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Charlotte Main Original Weaving Collage, Coco's Kitchen, Contempo Galeria, Courtyard by Marriott Leon at the Poliforum, Daiquiri Dick's, Di Vino Dante, Diamonds International, El Arrayán, Estate of John Dea, Flamingo Golf, Florart Maripepa Flores. Flowers To Go, Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort, Grand Isla Navidad in Manzanillo, Hacienda San Angel Restaurant, Hotel Encantada, Patzcuaro, Michoacán, Jim Kalmar, June Rosen Lopez Jewelry, Kaiser Maximilian Restaurant, Lalo Morales, La Palapa Restaurant, Lucy's Cúcu Cabaña, Marcelo Mico Pilates, Marina Vallarta Club de Golf, Mundo de Azulejos, Mundo de Pewter, Nacho Daddy, Peyote People, Porto Bello Restaurant, Punta Mita Golf Club, Quinta Don José Tlaquepaque, Raintree Vacation Club, River Café, Sandrinas Restaurant, Polo's Restaurant, Sonora Grill, Spanish School Vallarta, Teresa Massage, Toya's Salon, Trio Restaurant, Villa María, Vista Grill Restaurant, Vista Vallarta Golf, Vitea Restaurant, and Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates.

On to the artfully decorated tables by Rocco Troyani Events featured were two bottles of red and one of white wine - donated by Trio Restaurant and El Anfitrion. Cards were also on each table thanking the patrons: Four Season Resort, Anfitrión de Mexico, The Park, San Javier Hospital, Rocco Troyani, Pacifica and Intercam. Becas sends many thanks to them and to Producciones Estrellas, Eventos Elegantes, Patio Los Arcos Chef Hipolito de Anda and Sous Chef Oscar, Julia Perez and all the volunteers who helped make this an event to be remembered!

The sit down dinner was served with Angus Beef Petit Fillet as the main course, an appetizer of Duo of Moroccan Dorado and Eggplant in Chipotle Hummus and a dessert of Hibiscus & Mint marinated Strawberry Baklava.

The band Enlace, with its cadre of songbirds, played for listening and dancing. The two dance floors filled with Ball goers moving to their sounds. The listeners were equally entertained with the eclectic repertoire played and sung by Enlace.

During a pause in the music, Presidents Mariel and Carlos Fregoso welcomed everyone and gave appropriate thanks to all who made this evening possible. Then Maria Karina Macias Aguirre introduced the University scholarship students who had spent the evening helping make it the success that it was. The students expressed their heart felt gratitude for the help that Becas, and all of you who support Becas, is allowing them to achieve their goals of obtain an education. They were a handsome group of young people who will make a difference in the lives of their families and in Puerto Vallarta.

The Silent Auction closed and guests paid for and picked up their purchases. The bidding had been active and it yielded money to fund many scholarships for the coming year. Thank you to all who donated and to all who bid and bought.

Then the talented folks of Grupo Prana, directed by Alejandro Peredo, pulled all eyes toward the stage built over the undulating sea. This show, unlike any seen before in Puerto Vallarta, depicted Bogie and Ingrid at a table high above the stage. On stage, fanciful, some fiery, dances took place. It was innovative and inspirational to see this local talent perform so professionally. The show ended in a fire dance capped by incredible fireworks display in the almost full moon night.

Next for Becas Vallarta is the March Becas Breakfast at The River Café on Wednesday, March 18, at 9:30 am. This will be a delicious breakfast as only The River Café can provide and time for relaxing with friends, old and new. Tickets are $200 pesos each as we have had to raise our price due to escalating prices of everything.

We'll have wonderful raffle prizes and a small silent auction. Please make your reservations early as the tickets go fast. You may buy your tickets from any Becas member or by calling or emailing Polly Vicars at (322) 223-1371 or phvicars(at)gmail.com. Remember your money goes to improve the lives of more that 400 students this year. What is better than a delectable breakfast and a chance to help a young person get the education he or she wants and deserves? Need Tickets? Call me!