Great Hearts Academies has announced the return of its Great Hearts gala, presented by Liberty Buick and Liberty GMC and entertainment presented by Casas Bonitas.

Multi-platinum country star Riley Green will be the headlining performer at the gala, according to a news release.

The event takes place 7-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Earnhardt Lexus Showroom, 800 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix.

The ACM award-winner who has remained steadfast to his beliefs, love of family and (off-the-road) lifestyle has earned a passionate fanbase with his live shows and consistently country music. The Alabama native’s latest single “Different Round Here (Ft. Luke Combs),” is currently climbing through the radio charts as he tours North America as part of the Luke Combs world tour, in addition to his headlining dates.

The theme for this year’s event is “How the West was One” and proceeds will support the Teacher Excellence Fund, which provides bonus compensation every December to reward and retain the best Great Hearts teachers across Arizona.

This signature event is the largest fundraiser for the Teacher Excellence Fund, giving Great Hearts Academies the opportunity to reward the Arizona teachers who worked harder than ever this year, according to the release. Last year’s gala raised more than $700,000 in bonus compensation to 735 teachers. This fall, the signature event aims to do the same with the sole purpose of putting even more money in the pockets of teachers.

“Every year we strive to outperform the previous year’s gala and we could not do this without the support of our partners and sponsors,” said Brandon Crowe, superintendent of Great Hearts Arizona. “Last year was a record-breaking year of fundraising for the Teacher Excellence Fund, which was established to thank our teachers for their devotion to, and passion for, serving Great Hearts scholars.”

This year’s 2023 co-chairs are Justin and Kelly Young. They are parents of two children at Great Hearts Archway Cicero and Leadership Society members. The Great Hearts Leadership Society recognizes and unites generous donors across the network who are most passionate about the Great Hearts mission. Members of the Leadership Society inform, strengthen, and expand the Great Hearts organization. Through their leadership and personal sponsorship, the Youngs will lead the charge to raise $1 million to continue to keep the very best teachers in the classroom.

Contact Haley Kucharo, Major Gifts Officer, at 602-438-7045 x 490 or Haley.Kucharo@GreatHearts.org for more information.

Great Hearts is a nonprofit network of tuition-free public charter schools dedicated to improving education nationwide through classical preparatory K-12 academies.

More information can be found at greatheartsamerica.org.