It was a record-breaking night for Notre Dame Prep.
On Saturday, May 10, NDP celebrated its 20th Annual Auction Fashion Show at the J.W. Marriott Resort at Desert Ridge. The “Sparkle” Auction Fashion Show (AFS) sold out two months prior to the event, with all 750 tickets being sold by mid-March.
“This was the first time in school history that AFS sold out, so we had a feeling it was going to be a special night,” Sydney Edwards, the school’s director of advancement and communications, said. Edwards is a graduate of NDP from the Class of 2012.
The attendance record was just the beginning. Over the course of the evening, and through the generosity of the bidders, the auction portion of the evening brought in a record $770,000 for the NDP Fund.
“It was a truly unforgettable night filled with excitement,” Edwards added. “Heather Weurding, our assistant director of special events, has been planning our Auction Fashion Show for a decade, and I can confidently say she outdid herself this time.”
The funds raised at the event will be used to build additional classroom space for the school’s growing student body.
“As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Catholic high school, an evening like this means everything for enhancing our student experience. We are already looking forward to next year!" NDP principal, Brie Dragonetti said. “This money will go a long way toward creating more teaching space for our students.”
In addition to the auction, the event included a fashion show where the Class of 2025 modeled spring fashions from Dillard’s at Fashion Square and administrators honored the five teachers who have been at the school since it opened its doors in 2002.
Jan Carteaux, Brooke Dauphinais, Fr. Phil Evanstock, Robert Gwinn and Rebecca Strolic all received the NDP Patron Saint Award for their sustained dedication.
“We are blessed with teachers who truly see their vocation as a calling to educate future generations, helping them grow in reverence, respect and responsibility,” Dragonetti said.
The event was made possible by the following sponsors: Nina and Jim Hayden, Nexus Teen Academy, Jeremy Mueller Insurance, The Lavinia Family, Icon at Silverleaf, The Logemann Family & The Felicioli Family, The Schube Family & The Oberholtzer Family, The Ryan Family, The Lambrecht Family. The Ortega Family, Brian Stevens Insurance, GFT Ready Mix, The Curran, Torczon, Doan, Katzman, and Calvet/Lammersen Families, The Ruggiero Family, The Wootton Family, Wilde Wealth Management, Higby Design, Marcus Networking, and Van Buick/GMC.
“It was incredible to witness the overwhelming support from sponsors, volunteers, and donors who all came together to make the evening a success,” Edwards said. “We are immensely grateful for the generosity of everyone involved and appreciate it beyond words.”