Click here for an entry form or pick one up in your school office.

Entries can be returned  to the “Auction Theme Idea” box in any of the following locations:

• Any VCS Office
• Auction Office
• Convent Office

You may also email your idea to stinsen@ssmoministries.org

 Please submit your entries by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012

In the midst of competitions and training for the London Olympics 2012, Mariel Zagunis is coming to campus for a true Valiant send-off. Save the Date for Friday, May 25th from 1-2 p.m. for an all school Valiant Rally!

This assembly will be open to parents, friends and family. It’s not too often you get to meet someone of her caliber and prestige!   

Two-time World Champion Mariel Zagunis is the only U.S. women’s fencer to hold an Olympic title, having won the gold medal at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. With 21 World Championship medals, she is the most decorated fencer in the history of U.S. Fencing.

Mariel Zagunis returned to campus in September of 2008 after her win in the Beijing Olympics. She fenced with our football coach, displayed her two gold medals and met with residents at Maryville.

See the touching Mariel Zagunis’ commercial by TD Ameritrade or read the Oregonian’s most recent article on her.

Want to show your support for Mariel Zagunis? Take a photo on one of her billboard benches around town and send it Grace LeChevallier at glechevallier@ssmoministries.org.

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 You are invited to join us for Sr. Juliana Monti’s Retirement Party!

The school community, Sisters, alumni and friends are invited to celebrate Sr. M. Juliana Monti and her 41 years of service bringing music to our campus community.

Join us for an open house Sunday, May 20, from 2-4 p.m. in the Valley Catholic Elementary & Middle School Cafeteria located in the center of campus at 4420 SW St. Mary’s Dr. Beaverton, OR 97007.

This celebration will include performances from current students and alumni from the following choirs:

• Large Choir: He Never Failed Me Yet
• Kingsmen: Kiss the Girl
• Woman’s Chorale: Away from the Roll of the Sea

Alumni, please email Grace LeChevallier at glechevallier@ssmoministries.org if you are interested in singing with these groups. Refreshments will be served.

If you are interested in contributing pictures of Sr. Juliana to add to our slideshow, please email Sharla Tinsen at stinsen@ssmoministries.org.

Please note: An additional celebration for Sister will be held on Sunday, Sept. 16 during Alumni Weekend after 10 a.m. Mass.

All cash donations to the auction, which include contributions to “Light a Fire” as well as cash donations to class baskets, may be eligible for matching gifts from your employer.

Most employers have a simple online process that you need to initiate so that Valley Catholic can receive the matching funds.  Once you have followed your company’s procedure for matching gifts, your employer will contact the SSMO Foundation regarding the match.

If you are retired, or you serve on a board, your gift may be also be eligible for matching funds. If you have any questions regarding matching gifts, please email sanderson@ssmoministries.org or call 503-718-6484.

To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, click here.

The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization and the tax ID number is 931253966.

Submitted by Director of Development Helen Connor

A moment of reflection – that was all it took for Kathleen McNalty to give up a week of luxury in Jamaica, West Indies. She had just won a family vacation to a 5,000-square-foot villa that stands 400 feet above Montego Bay. The salty air, warm breezes, stunning vistas and sunsets — she was thrilled! Kathleen has been to Jamaica several times and stayed in villas like this one, complete with a housekeeper, gardener, cook, and concierge. It would be wonderful to enjoy a week like that again!

But as bidding started on the Live Auction, Kathleen had a minute to think about what had just happened.

“I got so overwhelmed by all the excitement, I lost sight of why we were here,” she said afterward. “To raise money for our kids.” Kathleen’s son Tyler Wright was a VCS student in 7^th and 8^th grades. Tyler is now in his freshman year at Sunset High School. But Kathleen still loves the educational opportunities and community at VCS. So while bidding on Live Auction items heated up, Kathleen and husband Steve Wright talked about the prize they’d just won.

She was having second thoughts. “If I ever wanted to go to Jamaica again, I could save my money and go,” she explained. But if she gave the package back, maybe VCS could raise more money. Steve said the decision was hers. She’d paid for the Golden Tickets, after all.

So with 10 minutes of vacation day-dreaming behind her, Kathleen gave the luxury Jamaica vacation back. The crowd loved it! And when it came up for bidding, the competition was hot!

Kathleen bought five Golden Tickets, which raised $500 for VCS. The successful bidders of the luxury Jamaica package paid $4,600, which also goes to VCS. Thank you to Kathleen McNalty and to everyone who attended “All that Jazz,” the 2012 VCS Auction, and raised money for our kids!

See our photo gallery here.

Light a Fire Sparks Generosity

“Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – W.B. Yeats

As guests listened to a testimony given by a student, it was very obvious that financial aid impacts young lives for eternity.  Her story touched hearts and generated $25,000 for financial aid. It is humbling to see our community come together to offer stellar education to others, regardless of individual resources available.

Was Your Raffle Ticket One of the Lucky Tickets Drawn?

The grand prize raffle ticket was sold by Alexis Nguyen a 3^rd grade student.  Her Uncle, Toan Van Nguyen (pictured) was the lucky winner of a $5,000 Visa Gift Card.  Congratulations Toan!

Other Raffle Winners:

Gloria Bernard  -  Subaru/Diamondback Powered Bicycle

Joyce Kalmanek –  Bonneville Spa & Resort package

Anne Billow – $500 VCS Tuition Credit

Carrie and Brendan Kelly – Android Tablet

Green Line Winner

Mark and Angela Crandall were the winners of the $500 live auction credit.  They qualified for this drawing, along with other guests because they placed their bid on a “Green Line” of a silent bid sheet!  This was something new this year, and we hope to feature it again next year.