The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many historic firsts, from hybrid classrooms to masked sporting events and even a virtual musical.

Now, Tritonfest, NDA’s largest fundraising event, will have its turn in the world of COVID-19.

On Saturday, April 10, Tritonfest will move online, offering an hour of virtual auctions, raffles and fun.

“Our plan is to do almost everything we would normally do for an in-person event,” explained Geno McKenna, Director of Development and one of Tritonfest’s lead organizers.

With that being said, the virtual format will necesitate many changes.

The typical four-hour event will be trimmed down to just one hour, for example.

Instead of the usual 400 in-person attendees, the event will be entirely virtual, with the auctions and raffles being filmed from the NDA auditorium stage with no one in the audience.

“We will have mobile bidding which will open on March 29 – April 10.  We have many amazing auction items that we know the NDA community will love.  People can bid on items up until 8 p.m. on April 10,” said McKenna. 

“They can also donate to Fund-the-Future during this time which raises money for NDA scholarships.  The scholarships allow families in need the opportunity to attend Notre Dame Academy,” he continued.

Among the items being auctioned are an Italian wood-fire pizza party in Door County, two orthodontic braces packages, a professional-guided fishing day, Door County sailing adventure, autographed Aaron Rodgers jersey & helmet, home improvement packages, the NDA Teacher Wish List for their classrooms, sporting items and much more.

Co-chairing the event are parent volunteers Leslie Vogel and Amanda Auricchio, alumni of St. Joseph’s Academy and Notre Dame Academy, respectively.

In addition to the co-chairs, numerous other parent volunteers have stepped up to ensure the event runs smoothly, helping facilitate sponsorships, gift collection, event production, donations, and countless other elements that make Tritonfest the success it has always been.

“We could not hold this event without [parent volunteers]…We plan on this one-hour virtual event to include exciting auction items, entertainment, and a few surprises,” said McKenna.

Volunteering doesn’t stop with the parents, however.

Student volunteers are also involved, making promotional videos and donating original artwork to the event’s silent auction.

The day after Tritonfest, student volunteers will be needed to assist guests as they stop by NDA to pick up their auction items.

Additionally, local news anchor Bill Jartz will volunteer his time, serving as the evening’s emcee.

Tritonfest is, of course, a significant source of revenue for NDA.

Last year Tritonfest alone fundraised $350,000, a school record.

As NDA’s largest fundraiser, all money raised in connection to the event is put toward NDA’s general operating expenses, such as scholarships, academic opportunities, spiritual learning, athletics and the arts program.

Every dollar goes toward purchasing school supplies, assembling a sports team, club or art program, training NDA staff, and giving a student a well-rounded education.

For parents interested in getting involved in the future, McKenna stressed how rewarding being a parent volunteer can be.

“It is due to parents’ involvement that Tritonfest has become the success that it is today…Tritonfest is a great way for parents to get involved with a fun and caring group of people…this is a great opportunity for other parents to make new friends while helping their kid’s school,” McKenna said, referencing his own personal experience.

For more information or questions, please visit the Tritonfest website.