Making auction items: Students support Fall Gala

Students enrolled in the Dickinson Catholic Schools, with the help of their parents, are making auction items for the ninth annual Fall Gala.

The benefit — a gourmet dinner with silent and live auctions — is Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Dickinson Elks Lodge. The evening begins at 4:30 p.m. with a social hour.

This year’s theme is “A Knight in Shining Armor,” and everyone is welcome to attend.

Trinity Elementary Principal Peggy Mayer said each of the 14 classrooms at Trinity East and West are making something for the live auctions.

“A parent volunteer works with the class. The idea is to get the kids involved. It’s truly a student project,” she said.

For example, one class is making garden pavers with the students’ handprints on them. Another kindergarten class plans to make a quilt — one every year — focusing on each of the seven sacraments. This year, the class is doing baptism, she said.

“It’s the whole class working together. The students enjoy working on the projects and help come up with ideas themselves,” she said.

Beth Decker, mom to second graders Colin and Myra at Trinity East, is coordinating a picnic theme.

Her husband, Ben, is building a picnic table, while the students will decorate a set of four plates and a bowl with thumb-print bugs, flowers and hearts. After the painting is finished, the plates will be fired and glazed, she said.

“We were trying to think of something to go along with a picnic table. My kids have done ceramics for birthday parties and that’s how we decided to do this,” said Decker.

She’s also done projects with her son, Riley, in previous years.

Ramona Kovash, who is the mom to fourth grader, Dillan, at Trinity West, is spearheading a T-shirt quilt made with Trinity T-shirts.

She’s assisted by Char Schwab who is cutting out the squares. The students have signed their names on the blocks, which are then shaped into a “T” design and quilted together.

“It’s a work in progress,” she said.

The auctions are fun to watch because parents bid against each other in an entertaining way, said Mayer.

“The grandparents go nuts. They are the biggest bidders,” she added.

Proceeds from the event will help support students in the schools. But in addition, Mayer said the gala is a social gathering.

“You will have school parents, grandparents and community supporters who come togther and support the schools as a collaborative effort,” she said.

Seating is limited, so call 701-483-6081 to purchase tickets or for further information. No tickets are available at the door.

Tags: dickinson catholic schools, lifestyle