A Chocolate Affair making dreams possible for 30 years 

By Vanessa Selle and Courtney Elisech 

Every year, the Possible Dream Program at Delta hosts a fundraising event called “A Chocolate Affair.” This year’s event was held at Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw on November 3. 600 tickets were sold, over 100 sponsors were in the crowd, and 22 sponsored students. 

Grayson Wells, 12, is a seventh grader from Bullock Creek Middle School who attended the event as part of the program. His teachers nominated him in fifth grade, and he submitted two essays before being accepted. 

While he hasn’t decided on a college, a career in engineering or something similar is in the plans for Wells. The meatballs were his favorite food item, but he had yet to taste the chocolate cheesecake that he had been eyeballing all night.

Lily Palencia and Harrison Brewer are seventh graders in the Possible Dream program that attended the event. They both expressed enjoyment of the program and the activities they have done. Palencia dreams of becoming a psychologist. 

“Technology, I like working with computers,” said Brewer when asked what he would like to do as a career. “I wanna learn how to code and make games.” 

Both children have already decided Delta is the school for them. The Chocolate Affair was fun for the students, who enjoyed the food while looking forward to dessert. Brewer shared that the rolls were amazing, especially with butter. Palencia liked the meatballs. 

The Possible Dream Program has been successful over the past 30 years, with 78% of the students graduating and continuing their education. 65% of students chose Delta to continue with their education. The first Possible Dream students graduated in 1998, and over 2,300 students have been a part of the program since it began. 

The Chocolate Affair is the only fundraiser of the year for the Possible Dream Program, and it is a large gathering with food, live music, and sweets to celebrate students’ success and support the program. There are no assigned seats or tables in this program, which makes this an incredible event for people to talk and connect more casually and naturally. 

Each event sponsor was acknowledged by a place card near the dessert they donated. Dow donated $12,000, Spence Brothers donated $8,000, and many more donations in different increments were noted on the program for the event. Without the sponsors, the program could not exist. 

Delta Alum, Heather Gallegos, was a representative from Dow who attended the event. 

“It is a great program that allows Delta to identify up-and-coming talent that might not have the tools necessary to go to College,” Gallegos shared. “Maybe their first generation or finances might be an issue. So by having this fundraiser and continuing this program, it’s the way for them to continue their education.” 

Throughout the night, people mingled, laughed, danced, and enjoyed the delicious food the conference center provided. The night’s main event, the cake cutting, occurred at 8 p.m. Once the cakes were cut, everyone could try their favorite ones and mingle for another hour. 

Volunteers cut the desserts as the clock strikes 8 p.m. during A Chocolate Affair, a fundraiser for the Possible Dream Program through Delta College, Nov. 3, 2022; photo credit Onnie Stone

“My every day is trying to make things better for students,” said Delta College’s President, Michael Gavin. 

President Gavin shared that he loves Possible Dream because it is the one program that brings all of the tri-counties together. A Chocolate Affair is a great event for community partnerships. The relaxed environment makes this a beneficial opportunity to connect with politicians, open job pathways, and get funding. 

Possible Dream Coordinator Lindsay Bryce explained more about how students end up in the program. The program accepts students in fifth through twelfth-grade students who are chosen for the program by a nomination. 

After a student is nominated, there is an application process before they are accepted into the program. This process includes an essay, a check into the student’s academics, and what challenges their path to college. This challenge could be economic, social, or physical, among others. 

Once a student is accepted into the program, they receive access to many opportunities, such as college campus tours, summer camps, events like A Chocolate Affair, activities where they can experience their chosen career, and many others. 

These events and activities run year-round and help prepare the students for a successful college career. “I love seeing who the students will connect with,” Bryce said 

A Chocolate Affair is “an amazing event for an amazing cause,” said The Vice President of Student Empowerment and Success, Chad Inabinet. 

Inabinet doesn’t deal directly with the Possible Dream Program. Still, his department includes admissions, advising, and counseling, which all work towards the same goal: an excellent start to a successful college career. 

Karen MacArthur was also at the event, and she is the person who began the Possible Dream Program. It stemmed from an idea that was happening in Harlem, New York. They had a similar program, and Delta replicated it for students from the Tri-Cities. 

There were many sponsors, students, and current or former employees of Delta at the event. One former employee, Dr. Nancy Vader-McCormick, attends the event every year and says it is to celebrate the student’s success. She says that if not for the Possible Dream Program and this fundraiser, many students would not be able to attend college. 

A Possible Dream Alumni named Abigail was also at the event. She shared that she loved being in the program and has made many friends she still talks to. One of her favorite things was seeing the Nutcracker play in Detroit. 

Associate Director of Career Advising at Delta College, Jonathan Hoerauf, was a volunteer working with the desserts to cut them. This was his third or fourth time at the event in this role, he will definitely be back next year. 

“I think this is an awesome event,” Hoerauf said. “It’s great to see how many people come out.” 

Annette Glen, Republican State Representative, shared that she attended the event because she is a huge supporter of Delta College. 

“Just watching the impact that Delta has on our community,” Glenn said. “Whether you’re looking for a skills trade training or whether you’re looking for two years to launch you into college, or returning students.” 

All five of her children attended Delta, who are all completely different in interests, and found a place at the school. 

“This is not just a fundraiser, this is a fundraiser that invests in students,” Glenn shared. “This is the one that allows students that maybe have to decide whether they can take another class or if they have to pick up another job, this fills the need. 

In addition to President Gavin attending the event, former Presidents Don Carlyon, Peter Boyce, and Jean Goodnow also attended. 

At 98 years old and with 28 years of service as a Delta College President, Carlyon still supports Delta with events like these. 

“I am very proud of Delta College,” said Carylon while enjoying the festivities and reminiscing with old colleagues and friends.