Tritonfest, NDA’s Top Fundraiser, Set for February 18

Tritonfest%2C+NDAs+Top+Fundraiser%2C+Set+for+February+18

Ava Vande Corput, Staff Writer, Advanced Journalism

Tritonfest, Notre Dame Academy’s biggest fundraiser, will take place on February 18, but with a twist.

Tritonfest will be at our “home,” Notre Dame Academy, instead of the Lambeau Field Atrium, a location switch that highlights this year’s theme of “Home Is Where The Heart Is.”

“We decided that moving Tritonfest to Notre Dame would produce a better outcome. We feel that people would be more willing to give to NDA at NDA instead of a different location,” said Mr. Geno McKenna, Director of Events and Alumni Relations.

Tritonfest is an event to raise money for the school and offset tuition costs for all students.

The cost to educate each student is $10,000, but tuition is only about $6,000. Tritonfest is used to make up that $4,000 difference.

Money raised also goes towards helping those who need tuition assistance as well as the school itself.

Many students will entertain and assist during the evening.  When the call went out for student volunteers, McKenna was amazed by the immediate, overwhelming response.

The evening will begin with a Mass at 4:30 p.m. in the school chapel followed by a reception from 5-6 p.m.

Dinner and the silent auction begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a live auction.

To reserve a spot at Tritonfest, tickets cost $100 per person with several sponsorship opportunities available.

The sponsorship opportunities range from $3,000-$25,000 for a table of ten guests, a mention in the program and slideshow, and one’s name put in raffles.

Other sponsorship opportunities range from $500-$2,000, which also include a mention in the slideshow or program, and will help pay for a friend, beverages and desserts for the evening.

In addition to paying to attend the event, many people also participate in the silent and live auctions.

In the past, the silent auction has been on paper, but this year it will all be done electronically.

“We feel we will have about a 15-20% increase in sales because the bidding is going mobile. People will get a text alerting them if they are outbid by an individual instead of their having to check to see if someone outbid them. People can participate with ease instead of a hassle, which I think will improve sales,” said McKenna.

Last year Tritonfest raised $257,283 and hosted around 470 people. This year the event’s goal is to raise $300,000 and host about 600 people.