Saturday, March 8th was an evening to remember, as hundreds of alumnae, parents, faculty, and community members gathered at St. Francis for our annual fundraising auction. This event has become more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of what truly makes St. Francis special: our strong, supportive community and our collective commitment to the future of our students. This year’s theme, “Legacy in Bloom,” beautifully captured the spirit of the evening, as we came together to nurture the growth of our school and students, fostering an environment of beauty, sophistication, and opportunity.

At the heart of the event was the live auction, which featured a variety of exciting and unique items. From the coveted reserved graduation seats to dream vacation packages, exclusive sporting events and concerts, the bidding was competitive but filled with a sense of camaraderie. We all kept in mind the larger purpose of the evening: supporting St. Francis students. As paddles went up and bids soared, the collective generosity of our community was on full display.

Thanks to your support, we raised over $325,000 for the auction, with $50,000 earmarked for the Fund-a-Vision campaign. This year’s Fund-a-Vision directly supports our reimagined classrooms, creating spaces that foster collaboration and accommodate diverse learning styles. With modular seating arrangements designed for group work, discussion circles, and peer collaboration, we’re helping students develop the problem-solving and critical thinking skills essential for leadership roles—both in school and in life.

A particularly meaningful part of the evening was welcoming back alumna Peyton Spellacy, class of 2020, who emceed the event. Peyton now works as a news anchor at KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her return to St. Francis was a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact our school has on its graduates. Peyton’s enthusiasm and passion for her alma mater were evident as she guided us through the evening, demonstrating the power of community and connection that extends well beyond graduation day.

The night wrapped up with an energetic after-party, where guests celebrated on the dance floor, enjoying musical requests from The Killer Dueling Pianos. 

We are beyond grateful for the generosity of our community. The success of this year’s auction was made possible by the hard work and dedication of our chairs, Elaine & Phil Westphal, along with countless volunteers, the unwavering support of our sponsors, and the commitment of everyone who attended. Each of you played a vital role in making this event a reality. Whether you contributed an auction item, made a donation, or attended to show your support, your involvement speaks to the power of philanthropy and the incredible impact it can have on the lives of our students.

We look forward to continuing this journey of community, connection, and philanthropy with you. Thank you for being an essential part of St. Francis.

Click here to view the entire photo album on Dropbox.