The O'Neal School hosted "Curtains to Net" Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst.

Parents and members of the O'Neal community gathered for fundraising and "friend" raising. The annual auction raises over $175,000. This year the funds raised will be allocated toward O'Neal's athletics and fine arts programs.

Auction executive committee members Beverly O'Donnell, Marty Hefner, Konni McMurray, and Dana Barnes, along with countless parent volunteers, turned the Fair Barn into a beautiful gathering place with a hint of music played by student musicians filling the air.

"With the help of area businesses that donated items and services, O'Neal, along with dedicated parents, is able to produce a hugely successful event," said Lynn Melton, auction director. "We couldn't do it without the support of the generous community."

A variety of live auction items were on the block, such as a four-night stay in Sonoma County, Calif., with an itinerary of tours, tastings and picnics in the wine country, a three-night stay at Charleston's Market Pavilion Hotel, six concert tickets for American Idol 2009 Summer Tour, a complete orthodontic case by Dr. Michael Henry and more.

Four hundred items were up for bid in the silent auction. Categories included items for the home, outdoor, ladies, gentlemen, youth, student creations, around O'Neal, sports, golf, travel and entertainment, pottery, food, and jewelry.

Elliott's on Linden catered the event with different stations for a tapas dinner including sushi, prime rib and Italian cuisine. Ed Gold, from the San Francisco-based Reynolds and Buckley, served as the auctioneer.

The O'Neal School is a college preparatory, independent day school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. It is dedicated to the development of academic excellence, strength of character, and physical well-being of its students in an environment where self-discipline, integrity, and consideration for others are fundamental.

The O'Neal School is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2009-2010 school year. Contact Alice Droppers, director of admissions at (910) 692-6920 ext. 103. for more information visit the Web site www.OnealSchool.org.