Annette Bening's Big Evening

Hooray for four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening! At a sold-out fundraiser in San Diego on September 20, she raised $200,000 to help needy students attending San Diego Community College institutions. The event was called “An Evening with Annette Bening.” During this important gala, Annette delivered an inspirational speech about how her experience at San Diego Mesa College helped her achieve her acting goals, especially the Drama Department.

The fundraiser was organized to support a program called San Diego Promise. It pays for books and tuition for first-time full-time students who are “financially struggling.” The district now has an Annette Bening Promise Scholarship that will be given annually on each campus.

Annette’s parents, Grant and Shirley Bening, were in attendance. “It was fun to hear the students who have benefited from the program, as well as dignitaries who spoke,” Mrs. Bening said. “Annette did a good job in her speech," she added. 

Since the event was called "An Evening with Annette Bening,” how could the Benings not be proud parents?

I’m sure Mesa College is also proud of this successful alumna as well as grateful to her for heading up the San Diego Promise project.