Prep for Prep’s 2024 Lilac Ball took place on Monday, June 10 at the New York Marriot Marquis. Guests heard from student speakers–two high school seniors and one Preparatory Component student–who shared their Prep Journeys. In addition, we celebrated the Lilac Ball Honoree, Paula Campbell Roberts (X), Managing Director, Chief Investment Strategist for Global Wealth, KKR. 
Meet 2024 Lilac Ball Honoree
Paula Campbell Roberts (X)
Paula Campbell Roberts (X/Brearley '94, Yale '98) MBA, Harvard '03 is the Chief Investment Strategist for KKR's Global Wealth business and a Managing Director on the Global Macro, Balance Sheet and Risk (GBR) team. Paula was a Prep for Prep senior speaker at the 1994 Lilac Ball. In her speech, she said “Prep had chosen us from a group of a thousand; not only because we were bright, but also because we were ambitious and strong-willed.” We are pleased to welcome Paula back to the Lilac Ball stage as this year’s honoree.

Learn more about the 2024 Lilac Ball Honoree.
Meet the Lilac Ball Student Speakers
In his senior year at Hotchkiss, Chris served as Head of the Black and Hispanic Student Alliance and the Hotchkiss Political Union, board member of the Hotchkiss Dramatic Association and Hotchkiss Democrats, elected student representative and member of the Veteran's Club, and founder and co-president of the affinity space Relatives of Chronically Ill Loved Ones. After graduation, Chris will study global affairs at Yale University.
Throughout his Poly experience, Leo has explored sports like soccer, wrestling, lacrosse, and crew. He's been a member of the speech and debate team since 8th grade. Always looking for ways to give back, Leo was a member of the Student Service Board and The Oasis Society, and a leader of the Latinx affinity space, Unidad his senior year. A lover of all things art, Leo was also a part of Poly's Excellence in Arts Certificate Program. He will attend Cornell University's SC Johnson School of Business this fall.
Mayla loves playing tennis and the performing arts–especially singing and acting. Before joining the Prep for Prep program, she was a member of the Salute to Music NYC choir, where she earned a soloist role, and was chosen as one of the leads in her school play three years in a row. One of her proudest accomplishments is having the opportunity to sing with the award-winning opera vocalist Joyce DiDonato.
ABOUT THE LILAC BALL

Since 1986, the Lilac Ball has served as Prep for Prep’s signature annual event to celebrate the achievements of Prep’s graduating high school class. The event also pays tribute to an honoree who has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and leadership development. All funds raised through the Lilac Ball go directly to Prep programming; event-related expenses are underwritten by the Board. The extraordinary generosity of our donors enables Prep to continue to foster our nation’s next generation of leaders.
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