Join the Alumni Challenge

Let’s come together to raise $50,000 in support of the space that helped us find our voices, tell our stories, and build confidence that lasts a lifetime. Powhatan has directly impacted our life and now it’s our turn to support the next generation of students. 

And here’s the best part: Because of a generous Alumni family, every dollar you give will be matched — up to $50,000 — doubling your impact!  

The Auditorium is not just another space on the Powhatan Campus, it is where first class memories were built. It’s where we stood for our 8th Grade Chapel Talk, shared laughter during class plays, built community as a school during weekly gatherings or maybe even recited lines from Shakespeare. It’s where many of us faced our fear of public speaking, where we learned to project our voices and our ideas, and where we discovered the power of presence. 

This wasn’t just a stage.
It was a classroom for confidence.
A platform for personal growth.
A spotlight on your potential. 

You’re part of a community that understands how special this space is. Now it’s time to give back — and ensure the next generation of students has the same opportunity to shine.

Your gift will help:

Upgrade and modernize the theater space

Improve lighting, sound, and seating capacity

Support student performances, presentations, and Chapel Talks for years to come

Because of the generosity of the Sluss Family, every dollar you give will be matched — turning $100 into $200, or $1,000 into $2,000 toward our goal.Help us raise $50,000 – and unlock the full $100,000 to help us reach our overall goal of $2,700,000 in support of the renovation and upgrade of our auditorium into a state-of-the-art theater! 

For well over a decade, Billy and Penny Peebles have poured their hearts, energy, and boundless love into Powhatan School. Billy served as Head of School from 1985-1992 and then again as Interim Head of School from 2020-2021. Billy guided Powhatan through the catastrophic fire of 1988 and in his interim year he led the school during the COVID-19 epidemic, allowing the school to remain open when other schools were forced to close. In his fourteen years of service, he led with vision, warmth and a deep belief in every child’s potential. By his side, Penny’s grace, generosity and tireless dedication touched every corner of campus. Together they nurtured a spirit of excellence, gratitude, and servant leadership that continues to define all of Powhatan’s Heads of School.

When alumni reach the $50,000 challenge goal, the auditorium lobby will be named the “Penny and Billy Peebles Lobby” in honor of their leadership.