The Calais Foundation 13th Annual Gala: Meet our 2025 Honorees!

The excitement is building as we approach our highly-anticipated flagship fundraiser!

Mark your calendars for May 1st and join us for our 13th Annual Calais Foundation Gala at 6pm at the Hanover Manor, 16 Eagle Rock Avenue East Hanover. We are excited to share that this year’s gala marks The Calais School’s 55th anniversary of empowering children and young adults with special needs. Join us as we also recognize two exceptional women who have each made indelible marks on the lives of children and young adults with special needs.

Meet Our Honorees:

Mary A. Bawarski

Mary A. Bawarski, CPA and Partner at School Accounting Professionals LLC is being honored with The McClafferty Award. Mary knows exactly what it takes to successfully run a financially-sound business office in the special education industry. She began her accounting career in 1979 as a CPA. By 1985, as her client base expanded and her interests evolved, she launched her own firm, ultimately doing business as “School Accounting Professionals LLC.”

For decades, Mary and her company have provided auditing, accounting, and consulting services to over fifty-five private special education schools in New Jersey, including The Calais School. Mary has also leveraged her expertise to support private schools for students with disabilities by helping them implement QuickBooks’ general ledger systems and simplifying the complexities of financial management in a regulated industry. Among her many achievements, she developed a comprehensive training course on Business Office Procedures for New Jersey Private Schools for Students with Disabilities, through which she has trained hundreds of bookkeepers, business managers, and independent auditors statewide.

In 2024, Mary was recognized as an NJBIZ Leader in Finance Honoree. Now, in 2025, we proudly present her with the Calais Foundation McClafferty Award for her outstanding contributions to the special needs community through her financial expertise. Thanks to Mary’s guidance, The Calais School and many others have the peace of mind that their business offices are financially secure—allowing them to focus on their mission and their students.

Cheryl Porter-Avino

Cheryl Porter-Avino, Director of Admissions at The Calais School, will receive The Leitner Excellence in Education Award.  Cheryl’s calling has always been to help others. Staring out with a degree in social work, she knew she could make a tangible difference in the lives of children. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has supported students with disabilities and their families in both public and private school settings.

In 2009, Cheryl became heavily involved in Animal Assisted Interventions after recognizing the groundbreaking benefits of human-animal interactions and the bonds they can build. She partnered with Canine Companions® becoming a handler and began working with her first facility dog at the school where she was employed. She continued incorporating therapy dogs into her work and was recognized with the esteemed “Above and Beyond Award” from ABC News for her efforts. She also volunteered with Canine Companions® as a puppy raiser, raising three potential service dogs for the organization.

As Director of Admissions at The Calais School, Cheryl has tirelessly dedicated herself to ensuring students with disabilities receive the support needed to thrive in school. She plays the role of advocate, consultant, and collaborator as she guides families through the complexities of finding the best placement for their children’s needs. Cheryl’s visionary approach to therapy dog integration has made Calais the only school in New Jersey to boast a Canine Companions® Facility Dog on staff. She has seamlessly integrated Tenney, her yellow Golden Retriever/Labrador facility dog into her role in admissions. In addition to student screenings and in-takes, they lead school tours, attend meet-and-greets and special events, and offer emotional support—helping to ease anxiety for students and parents alike.