Boots & Bling: College Bound AZ Celebrates Student Success with Annual Gala in Mesa
Dust off your favorite cowboy boots and get ready to add some sparkle. College Bound AZ is hosting its annual Boots & Bling Gala on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West.
The high-spirited evening brings the community together to celebrate first-generation scholars, raise vital scholarship funds, and highlight over a decade of student achievement across the Valley.
Founder and Executive Director Liz Paulus recently sat down with host Skylar Mori-Gay on The Public Pulse to talk about the milestone event, the inspiring students behind the mission, and what attendees can expect.
A Decade of Changing Lives Through Education
For the past nine years, College Bound AZ has partnered closely with the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), operating an on-campus office and food pantry on the second floor of Building 15. Over that span, the organization has guided more than 3,000 EVIT students toward college admissions and helped coordinate over $67 million in financial awards and scholarships.
“Students are never going to end, and there is always going to be that need to fill a gap,” Paulus shared during her interview on 88.7 The Pulse. “You are talking about the leaders of tomorrow, the folks that are going to fill the job spaces and be the backbone of America. It is so worth the doing.”
This year’s gala marks a bittersweet milestone for Paulus, a 31-year U.S. Army veteran who founded College Bound AZ 16 years ago and is preparing to transition leadership to a new executive director to guide the next chapter of growth.
Paying It Forward: Eduardo Vidal and the Next Generation
Among the evening’s highlights is guest speaker Eduardo Vidal, who first connected with College Bound AZ in 2012 as an EVIT student dreaming of becoming a pilot. Despite starting out working ground crew and facing the steep financial hurdle of accumulating costly flight hours, Vidal persevered through college and achieved his goal of becoming a corporate jet pilot.
Today, Vidal is giving back by funding his own aviation scholarship through College Bound AZ. His scholarship recipient, fellow EVIT graduate Alexis Morones, has completed her ground school requirements and will join Vidal on stage at the gala to say thank you in person.
The gala will also honor founding members of the organization’s RISE Scholars Fellows, recognizing outstanding students who embody academic dedication and community leadership.
Gala Highlights, Attire, and Silent Auction
Whether you prefer full formalwear, bolo ties, or denim and rhinestones, the dress code is open to your personal style.
Attendees can look forward to:
- Commemorative Challenge Coins: In honor of her military service and the organization’s legacy, Paulus designed custom challenge coins for attendees.
- Live Line Dancing: A professional dance troupe will take the floor to lead guests in line dancing favorites.
- Silent & Live Auctions: Exclusive auction packages include vacation condo stays in Rocky Point, original Western artwork, custom jewelry, gift baskets, and more.
- Direct Student Impact: More than half of every ticket sold goes directly to student support services and scholarships.
Community sponsors supporting this year’s gala include Arizona State University, Sundt Construction, Sunstate Builders, Kroger, Bits & Bytes Computers, Veda FM, The Southwest Mission Acceleration Center, and Oscar Health.
Event Details & Ticket Information
- Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
- Time: Starts at 6:00 PM
- Location: Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West, 860 N. Riverview Drive, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Tickets & Scholarship Information: Visit collegeboundaz.org/events
To explore available scholarships—including aviation, trade, and first-generation awards—or to apply, head to collegeboundaz.org.
Listen On Demand: You can hear the full interview with Liz Paulus on The Public Pulse podcast right here on 887thepulse.com or through the 88.7 The Pulse mobile app. Tune in to The Public Pulse every Sunday morning at 7:00 AM on 88.7 FM.
