Jessica Lu, staff writer

The Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF) hosted its annual Apple Ball Thursday, May 2 at the Beverly Hilton. Principal Carter Paysinger, Music Dept. Director Bill Bradbury and English teacher Minna Kim were among the Apple Award Recipients.

As part of a tradition, the Apple Ball honors at least one teacher from each of the K-8 schools, a BHUSD administrator and two teachers at the high school, along with two other selections. The principals of all the district schools select the honored teachers; the superintendent selects the administrator.

Students may recognize honorees Efua Paul, Andi Barron and Cindy Reitzenstein from Beverly Vista, Christy Fuhrer from Horace Mann, Alyssa Para from El Rodeo and Ellen Poltorak from Hawthorne.

Individual tickets sold for $350, while two premium tables with VIP privileges sold for $25,000. The packages were named after beaches to go along with the theme, “Noche De Playa.” Parents and other community members were able to purchase tickets for the teachers for $100.

The event honored Michael J. Libow, a lifelong Beverly Hills resident involved with education, the police and fire departments, and other city services. He may be recognized as the owner of the Witch’s House on Walden Drive, a historic landmark he helped to restore.

BHEF hosts the Apple Ball as its biggest annual fundraiser.