McHale brings laughter to Breakfast of Champions

Published 7:00 pm Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Joel McHale not only entertained the crowd as emcee of the Mercer Island Schools Foundation (MISF) annual fundraising Breakfast of Champions, he also got in some improv action that generated even more laughs.

On the morning of April 28, the actor, comedian and Mercer Island High School (MIHS) Class of 1991 graduate energetically stepped up to the mic to share some of his stories of growing up on the Island while poking fun at himself and those in the room.

“Hello, one percent…,” he said with a smile, and then added, “Club on Fox,” which refers to a game show he hosts. Everyone enjoyed a hearty laugh to start their mornings in the MIHS gym. During different parts of his emcee assignment, cities like Bellevue and Issaquah were also targets of his humor.

“For the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, guys, we’re gonna raise a bunch of money this morning. We’re hoping for a mere $34.5 million dollars, so thank you. You guys are ready to go?” he said in part-joke mode.

The event — which featured student performances and presentations, classroom stories and student voices — drew a crowd of more than 550 people who helped MISF reach the nearly $1 million mark of its $1.2 million funding goal.

Donors help fund the schools’ curriculum and instruction, staffing and student support and enrichment and innovation. Some of the elements within that realm include funding for: new science curriculum, materials and textbooks; four paraprofessionals for classroom support; expanded elective course offerings; fine arts and teacher enrichment grants and more.

Matt Richenburg, MISF board member, thanked the attendees for showing up and investing in Island kids.

“When we give, our students feel it in their classrooms, in their programs, in their teachers, in the arts, in the opportunities they get every single day. Let’s show up big for them today,” he said.

During his shared vision for the schools speech, Mercer Island School District (MISD) Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle said to the attendees: “Because of you, this foundation doesn’t just fund programs — it fuels possibilities, it ensures that when a student is ready to reach, there is something to grasp.”

Later in the program, Rundle and McHale joined MIHS Drama improv students Tiger Yang, Luthien Finch and Anya Sobel for a hilarious “No Script, No Problem” skit that featured a coffee cup, a cat, planking and a scholarship.

McHale noted that he participated in the MIHS improv group back in the day along with performing in Youth Theatre Northwest productions.

“What was so great for me is that it wasn’t just a one-dimensional school system, that there was a great arts program that I participated in,” he said.

It was a different story in some of the classrooms for McHale, who noted, “I was also a terrible student, one of the worst you have ever met. It’s ironic that I’m going to be introducing some spelling bee kids.”

Northwood Elementary School spelling champs Mason Park, Isaac Freedman and Toby Stoffer then took to the stage and shared their experiences in recent competitions and engaged in a mini-spelling bee.

KMIH 88.9 The Bridge student podcasters discussed their craft and noted that the program empowers students and gives them creative freedom.

On the Growing Through Gator Time front, Islander Middle School students rolled the audience through their moments of connection, creativity and discovery during their activities, which include drama improv, advanced choir, learn to DJ, origami and more. Student Phoebe Wagner rapped about her experience and got the crowd to supply a beat by stomping and clapping.

Another highlight of the breakfast was an appearance by MIHS senior Anusha Zaveri, who is the 2026 MISF Penny Yantis Scholarship winner. The student leader is passionate about humanities, government and service and spent the past four years helping raise funds for girls education in Kenya.

“Thank you to Mercer Island Schools Foundation and to Mercer Island for investing in and prioritizing my education, fueling my curiosity and setting me up for success,” she said.

For more information, visit: https://mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com/