King School

Always persevere, always have a great perspective, and always have great purpose in your life.

Indeed, a mantra that has firmly established Russell Wilson’s dedication to excellence as an elite quarterback in the NFL, an innovative business entrepreneur, and a community leader.

Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, Russell developed a love for football at a young age. After high school, Russell went on to play collegiate football at North Carolina State and the University of Wisconsin where he set numerous records and garnered national acclaim. His success led him to be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012. Russell has led the team to more wins than any other quarterback in team history, including a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII (2013). In 2014, he led Seattle to a second straight Super Bowl berth as a two-time NFC Champion (2013, 2014).  

In 2020, Russell entered his ninth season with the Seahawks. He holds the NFL record for most regular season wins by a QB in his first eight seasons (86) and the record for the most passing touchdowns in a season by a rookie (26). He also holds the second-highest passer rating in NFL history. 

Off the field, Russell’s leadership, passion and business acumen have resulted in assembling an impressive and diverse portfolio of business ventures. He has landed major endorsements and global ambassadorships with several companies including Nike, Microsoft, Wilson, Alaska Airlines, Bose and Braun, and he is the lead investor in a Juice Press franchise as well as TruFusion in Seattle.

In 2016, Russell launched a men’s lifestyle apparel line, Good Man Brand, which is sold by major department stores including Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, in addition to having a partnership with Amazon Fashion. The brand’s ethos is drawn from traits Russell found in the good men in his life and the clothing aims to bring out the best in its customers by helping them look good and feel good, so they can live life, work hard and help others. 

In 2020, Russell expanded his fashion empire with Ciara, and together they created The House of LRC, based upon the principles of Love, Respect, and Care. The line includes the already established Good Man Brand, as well as the recently announced Human Nation, a line that promotes the ideas of community, inclusivity, and sustainability.

As an extension of his work on the field, Russell and famed mental conditioning coach Trevor Moawad recently founded Limitless Minds, a business coaching consultancy dedicated to optimizing performance and enriching culture within some of the world’s top organizations and elite performers. 

In 2014, Russell founded The Why Not You Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating real and lasting change in the world by motivating and empowering today’s youth. In addition to financially supporting organizations aligned with the Foundation’s mission, Russell and his wife work to extend the Foundation’s impact by making weekly visits to Seattle Children’s Hospital where he lifts the spirits and brings joy to the hearts of patients and their families. 

In 2021, Russell was the recipient of the NFL’s prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his community service and cause work. In the preceding year, he collaborated with Feeding America and Wheels Up to donate 10 million meals to families experiencing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Russell and Ciara also recently announced that through their foundation, they will be funding a charter school in Seattle, set to open in Fall of 2022.

In 2020, Russell co-hosted the ESPY Awards with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe. He led the show with a moving speech about the fight for racial equality in response to movement for Black lives across the world.

Recently Russell established the Russell Wilson Quarterback Academy as a springboard to develop quarterback prospects using unique and cutting-edge curriculum based on his own experiences and knowledge. The quarterback school exists as an extension of the Russell Wilson Passing Academy, a summer football camp for children of all ages. Since its inception in 2012, the RWPA has held camps in nine cities and worked with more than 9,000 children. 

Russell and Ciara also recently announced Why Not You Productions, their production company focused on scripted and unscripted film, television, and digital content projects. Projects through the shingle will focus on inspiring and aspiring narratives and human interest stories. Russell also heads Seattle-based West2East, a brand management, creative content and production company. He most recently announced his new podcast, DangerTalk, which will be produced in partnership with ESPN and Apple.

register now to meet russell wilson!

REGISTER HERE

Registration is open to the entire King community of parents and students, alumni, and faculty and staff. We hope you will join us for this engaging virtual discussion. We are excited to present the UnGala Encore Auction where you can bid for the chance to ask your question live on video with Russell Wilson! Simply submit your highest and best bid on the registration form. The top five bidders will be awarded the opportunity to ask a question. All registrants will automatically be entered into a raffle to ask a question! Bid or gift is not required to be entered in the raffle. Time permitting, up to three additional registrants will be selected from the raffle. 

Admission is free! We welcome your gift in any amount to support financial access with immense gratitude. Russell Wilson and our sponsors have generously given their time and invested in financial access at King School to present this special opportunity. Please consider showing your commitment to building an inclusive campus at King by participating in the auction or making a contribution with an UnGala Gift.

In order to be considered for the auction or raffle, the registration deadline is April 6 at 11:59 p.m.

Throughout King School’s history, the school has sought to enroll the most capable and talented students.

Your UnGala gift ensures that King can enroll the inspiring students who enter the school through financial access. Our entire King community flourishes when diverse voices are heard and valued, as financial access works in support of our commitment to inclusion.

Thank you for joining us for these unique FUNdraising experiences specially curated for King parents! Students are welcome to join in the fun for the UnGala Trivia Challenge and Magic Show. All other experiences are intended for parents to connect and enjoy. 

Family Trivia Challenge
Generously sponsored by Andrea and Peter Resnick, P’22, ’22, ’25
Sunday, March 7 at 5:00-6:30 p.m.

• Almost Anything Goes in this fully-hosted, high-tech trivia game!
• Prizes will be awarded to the top teams: one lucky family will win a Chelsea Piers Membership valued over $3,000 and our runner-up will enjoy a shopping spree at the School Store!
• Students are welcome to participate in this event, making it the perfect kick-off to the UnGala.

DIY Art Workshop
Generously sponsored by Wendy and Brian O'Connor, P’20, ’23
Monday, March 8 at 7:30-8:30 p.m.

• Get crafty during this fully-guided art workshop where we will create a spring Welcome Wreath! 
• Each participant will be shipped a DIY-in-a-box kit from Painted by the Shore. The first 15 registrants will also receive a bottle of bubbly — a special gift courtesy of Wendy!
• The registration deadline is March 1 in order to ship your DIY kit. This experience has a limited capacity.

Culinary Class
Generously sponsored by Kim and Richard Alexander, P’21, ’22
Tuesday, March 9 at 6:00-7:30 p.m.

• Chef Heide from the award-winning Fig Cooking School will guide this hands-on culinary experience as we make the Perfect Virtual Dinner Party Meal: Cast-Iron Chicken with Rosemary, Roasted Pears, and Apples, Herbes de Provence Potatoes, Kale Salad with Truffle Balsamic Dressing, and make ahead Chocolate Pots de Crème for dessert! 
• Access your ingredients and equipment list here. Your recipes will be emailed directly to you with your event Zoom link.
• The registration deadline is March 4. This experience has a limited capacity.

family Magic Show - Students Welcome!
Generously sponsored by the Parents' Association Board
Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00-8:00 p.m.

• It's high-octane magic LIVE in your living room!
• The best magician in America, Tom Pesce, will amaze you with this interactive virtual show.
• Students are welcome to participate in this event, as long as their homework is complete!
• Check out the recap from our event here!

Wine Tasting
Generously sponsored by Mini Nunna and Eric Gerster, P’22
Thursday, March 11 at 7:30-8:30 p.m.

• Sip back and relax as you enjoy the perfect WFH (wine-from-home) tasting experience!
• Your tasting flight includes eight Wines from Down Under and each bottle holds a six-ounce pour (serves 1-2 people).
• Review this virtual tasting prep for guidelines for your in-home tasting event.
• The registration deadline is February 25 in order to ship your tasting kit.

Mixology & Mocktails
Generously sponsored by Rachelle and Scott Spielvogel, P’25
Thursday, March 11 at 7:30-8:30 p.m.

• Show off your shake and learn some new skills behind the bar in this mixology class!
• Our master mixologists from Liquid Lab NYC will guide you in crafting the perfect cocktails (or mocktails).
• The cocktails are designed to adapt to the spirit of your choosing. You can preview the recipes here which work well with Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Rum or Whiskey! A more detailed ingredient and tools list can be found here.

Daily Virtual Fitness Classes
Generously sponsored by Mi-Sun and Roger Freeman, P’22, ’29
Maintain wellness and balance during the UnGala week! All fitness classes are 45-minutes. No equipment is necessary. Athletic shoes, comfortable clothing, and a water bottle are recommended.

• Upper Deck Fitness presents Tabata and Primal Stretch:
  March 8 at 9:00 a.m. Tabata and Primal Stretch is an interval-style workout followed by full-body stretching and breathwork led by two of Stamford's best coaches.
• Pilates by Carly presents Pulse Pilates and Barre Burn: 
  March 9 at 12:00 p.m. Pulse Pilates is a hybrid of classical and contemporary Pilates mat work with isometrics and pulsing from Barre training.
  March 10 at 9:00 a.m. Barre Burn focuses on small muscle movement to sculpt and tone the core, arms, back, glutes, and thighs. Barre is known for the shake and burn that we love to hate and hate to love! All you need is a mat and a chair/countertop.
  No equipment is needed, but Carly recommends these optional props for class to increase the challenge.
• Cat Medina presents Zumba:
  March 11 at 12:00 p.m. Zumba is a fitness dance party, combining Latin and International music with a fun and effective workout system.