The Los Rios Foundation hosted a gala dinner on Friday honoring four alumni of and six donors to the Los Rios Community College District’s schools on the occasion of the district’s 50th anniversary.

From left to right, Marty Katz, the Los Rios Foundation event chair, Carol Spurgeon, a donor to the Los Rios Foundation honored by Sacramento City College, Brian King, chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District, and Dave Younger, the chair of the Los Rios Foundation, pose for photographs on the stage of the Sheraton Grand ballroom in Sacramento on Friday during the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala. Spurgeon is the mother of American River College professor Michael Spurgeon and was one of six donors honored at Friday’s event. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Carol Spurgeon, a donor to the Los Rios Foundation honored by Sacramento City College, speaks to attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala on Friday. The gala commemorated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Los Rios Community College District. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Dallas Braden, a former player for the Oakland Athletics and an American River College alumnus, speaks to attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala. The gala was held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Former Oakland Athletics player and American River College alumnus Dallas Braden speaks to attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala. Braden pitched a perfect game for the Athletics in 2010. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala watch a video featuring Dallas Braden, a former player for the Oakland Athletics and American River College alumnus. Braden was a guest at the gala where he was one of four alumni honored by the foundation on the occasion of the Los Rios district’s 50th anniversary. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Fred and Mary Evangelisti were awarded by the Los Rios Foundation for their financial contribution to American River College. The Evangelisti couple, who provided money for the Culinary Arts Building at ARC, were one of six donors honored at Friday’s awards gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Los Rios district. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

American River College student Vita Kotyay thanks attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala for the scholarship she recieved from the foundation. Kotyay is a nursing student who is jointly enrolled at ARC and Sacramento State University. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, the chief justice of California and a Sacramento City College alumna, speaks to attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala. Cantil-Sakauye said she was inspired to enter the legal profession after her time on SCC’s speech and debate team. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Scott Syphax, an alumnus of Cosumnes River College, speaks at the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento on Friday. (Photo by John Ferrannini)