Leave your cocktail dresses and formal wear in the closet this weekend and let your favourite jeans take the spotlight.

Staff, faculty and alumni are invited to attend the Denim, Diamonds and Diplomas gala on Feb. 11 in support of DSBN Academy.

Hosted by the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society (BLCS), the second annual event funds bursaries for students who are the first in their family to gain a post-secondary education.

“Many of these students may not have the means or resources to continue their education past high school, so we wanted to set up a bursary program to help them achieve their goals wherever they decide to study,” said Aynsley Maves, BLCS member and Chair of the event.

Last year’s Denim, Diamonds and Diplomas raised $22,000, enough money to provide bursaries to 14 Grade 12 students set to graduate from DSBN Academy this year.

The event, sponsored by Brock University and the District School Board of Niagara, begins with cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by dinner.

The night will also include live music and a silent auction featuring Toronto Raptors tickets, shoes worn by Canadian country artist Shania Twain and a custom diamond necklace valued at $3,000.

Tickets are $65 each or $600 per table and can be purchased online. For more information, e-mail denimdiplomas@gmail.com.