The world of AI, 3D animation and avatars will come to life at SHARP Literacy’s annual “A Novel Event” thanks to an educational and entertaining keynote presentation by CodeBaby CEO Norrie Daroga.
The 2024 fundraiser, presented by Andrea and Jim Schloemer, will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave.
The event will underscore the unique collaboration between CodeBaby and SHARP Literacy that aims to make STEAM-based learning more interactive and engaging, particularly for underserved students, through the use of its 3D avatars.
“In partnership with CodeBaby, we are taking our award-winning curriculum to the next level and empowering our students to explore the world of technology in a whole new way,” stated Lynda Welsh, president and CEO of SHARP Literacy. “It’s our hope that we can inspire students and provide them with real-world skills that will make a difference in the classroom and beyond.”
During the keynote, Daroga will discuss the ever-changing AI landscape. But he will also guide three SHARP students, ages 9-10, who will showcase the avatars they created through the program and participate in live demonstrations of the SHARP Literacy instructional content.
Literacy Champion Awards
During the event, SHARP will also give out their annual Literacy Champion Awards.
The first will be bestowed upon SHARP Literacy board member and civic volunteer, Lori Bechthold and her husband Kurt for their longstanding personal and corporate support of SHARP’s programs.
Brady Corporation will also be honored for their commitment to SHARP’s mission, which has assisted in improving the lives of urban elementary students. The award will be presented to Kate Venne, senior director of corporate communications and social responsibility at Brady Corp.
Purchase tickets
Tickets for the event – which also include dinner and a voice auction – are $200 per person for standard admission and $300 for VIP. Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling (414) 410-3205.
Various levels of corporate and individual sponsorships are also available.
All funds raised at A Novel Event will support the delivery of SHARP’s STEAM-based experiential program to over 8,500 K3 through fifth-grade students and educators in 49 urban schools across Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
