Saying Yes to God's Plan - Marian High School

Game On!,Was the Championship Event of the SeasonNearly 500 fans filled Crusader Dome to the brim and cheeredon Marian High School at its 28th annual MarianFEST, (FundingEducation in the Servite Tradition), complete with victory chants,MVP performances and one-of-a-kind auction items. MarianFESTis Marian’s largest fundraising event for the year. The benefit dinnerand auction was held on Saturday, October 24, 2009. This year’stheme, Game On!, held up to its name, with competitive spirits vyingto break all previous fundraising records, raising more than $415,000.The night’s festivities began with a Team Mass at the Servants of Mary Chapel. Fr. TomFangman of Sacred Heart presided, and Marian alumna Cher Klosner Lane ‘76 and brotherGene Klosner provided the liturgical music.Marian fans in their blue and white were greeted by the cheerleaders, pep band and danceteams as they entered the FEST Dome. Once inside, company was treated to tailgate cuisineas they browsed through the extensive and impressive Silent Auction.The evening’s program and dinner continued with Jack Swanda, Omaha radio personality,serving as the event’s Master of Ceremony. Head of School, Susan Toohey, welcomed guests.The Oral Auction, which followed dinner, featured a variety of exciting items. The sportenthusiasts brought their “A-Game” bidding on big ticket items such as premier seating atChicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox games. Fans also scored vacation destinations to GrandCayman, Mexico and one of eight Grand Resort locations. New Marian parents, Gary andCassandra Pietrok, were the winners of the 14 Karat, in-out diamond earring raffle, valued atmore than $1700, and Joe and Bonnie Shea, Marian veterans, won the $10,000 raffle drawing,which concluded the Oral Auction.Each MarianFEST, guests “Pass the Cash” in the name of tuition assistance and schoolenhancement. This year, for every dollar raised, up to $25,000, an anonymous donor matchedthe amount raised dollar-for-dollar. The fans maximized the incredible gift and a total of$50,000 was raised.The evening ended with victory dancing to the music of Finest Hour, featuring Marianalumna Nikki Boulay ’88.$10,000 raffle winners, parents of five Marianalumnae, Joe and Bonnie SheaDiamond earring winners, current parents, Garyand Cassandra PietrokScott Lilleskov with wife, Chris Lilleskov, andBrit Carleton with wife, Sharon Walsh Carleton‘90, member of Marian’s Board of Directors andPresident of Ervin & Smith Advertising2009 FEST Chairs: Steve and Lori Stangl, Ron andAmy Nebbia, Bill Gerber and Kathy Edick Gerber ’77,Beth Lauer Moberg ’80 and Jeff Moberg and WendyWiseman and Gary Gustafson with Head of SchoolSusan M. Toohey33