25th Annual St. Mary’s Academy Auction Raises Record $800,000

2013 St. Mary's Academy auction co-chairs Allison and Chris Martin and Michael and Dana White

Portland, April 13th, 2013. St. Mary’s Academy’s 25th annual auction, Silver Revelry, raised more than $800,000, the largest amount in the event’s history. More than 600 guests joined the festivities at the Oregon Convention Center. Parent volunteers Allison and Chris Martin and Dana and Michael White chaired the event and inspired others with their generosity.
This year’s auction had special meaning for the Martins and the Whites, since both of their daughters are seniors.

Silver Revelry guests including St. Mary’s Academy Board Chairman Bob Harold; his wife, Sue Harold; their daughter, Joan Chaney; and her husband, Brian Chaney, enjoyed exciting silent and live auctions that included packages ranging from a behind-the-scenes look at the Portland-based NBC show “Grimm” to a trip for two to London to experience the best of the West End Theatre District.

The auction is the largest fundraising event for Oregon’s premier Catholic college-preparatory high school for young women. Proceeds are critical to the financial strength of St. Mary’s Academy and benefit each of the school’s 640 students. “We are all incredibly proud of and grateful for the unprecedented success of our April 13 auction. Financial success like this provides the resources for more opportunities for students,” said St. Mary’s Academy President Christina Friedhoff. “We’ve seen young women from all backgrounds become confident, compassionate leaders through their experiences at St. Mary’s.”

Silver Revelry guests included Catherine and Mark Myers. The couple are generous supporters of St. Mary’s Academy, and they have three daughters who are past and current students at the school. Catherine is a member of St. Mary’s Academy’s board of directors.

Mike and Tracey Clark, parents of a St. Mary’s Academy alumna, are longtime supporters of St. Mary’s Academy and its annual auction. The giving spirit of guests such as the Clarks helped make Silver Revelry a record-breaking success.

Debora Knapp, KATU news anchor, served as the evening’s mistress of ceremonies. She kept the crowd entertained and raising their paddles high. Among the evening’s highlights was Bids for Kids, an opportunity for event goers to donate to the school’s tuition assistance program. Linda Patrick, SNJM, a 1967 St. Mary’s Academy graduate who now serves as Assistant Principal of Student Life, led the appeal. Bids for Kids raised more than $256,000 in support of the 42 percent of St. Mary’s students who receive financial aid. This is another record-breaking figure in a record-breaking year for the St. Mary’s Academy annual auction. Bids for Kids’ success was made possible in part due to $60,000 in matching funds from several generous sponsors: the B.P., Lester and Regina John Foundation; Mary and Tim Boyle; Dan and Gina Jones; and Ron and Tammy Witcosky.

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About St. Mary’s Academy
St. Mary’s Academy is a Catholic high school for young women located in the heart of downtown Portland that provides a challenging college-preparatory education with a focus on developing the whole person. Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating secondary school and offers a supportive learning environment to a diverse student body from more than 35 cities in urban, suburban and rural Oregon and Southwest Washington. It is the only school in the state to have received three Blue Ribbon awards from the U.S. Department of Education. For more information about St. Mary’s Academy, please visit www.stmaryspdx.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.