Marquette Catholic Schools is celebrating 100 years since becoming an accredited high school by the State of Iowa. While St. Joseph’s School dates back to 1868, the 1924-25 school year marked the beginning of a century of Catholic education in Bellevue. Marquette's annual "Magic of Children" event has long been a source of excitement in our community, and this year’s event will honor Marquette’s past century while looking ahead to the future. Though the event is the school's foremost fundraiser, it is best described as a celebration of all who support the mission of Catholic education in this wonderful community.
On April 5th, from 6:00 PM to midnight, the anniversary celebration will be in full swing. This Roaring ‘20s-themed event will feature both online and live auctions, raffles and games, a delicious dinner with a full bar, and live music to close out the evening. Attendees are encouraged to don their finest ‘20s attire and join in the festivities!
"Come and see how we've embraced the lessons from those who came before us as we return to the Roaring ‘20s with an event unlike any other!" invites Geoff Kaiser, principal of Marquette Catholic Schools. Community members aged 21 and older are welcome to gather at the Trinity Center for this special celebration.
While the main event takes place on April 5th, bidding on all online auction items begins on March 26th. Visit the Magic of Children link on marquettecatholic.com to browse this year’s auction offerings. Marquette's Development Office shares, "This year’s auctions feature an incredible selection of items, including a grid raffle for a trip to North Captiva, games of chance for amazing prizes, and the Defender Deck game, where one lucky player will win $1,000 to use in the live auction. The designer purse auction has also been upgraded, with each purse containing a mystery prize—one of which includes a stunning pair of diamond earrings. Whether online or at the live auction, guests can bid on a variety of unique handmade items, experience packages, and much more!"
This year marks a full return to an in-person celebration on Marquette’s campus, moving away from the virtual format that we moved to during the pandemic. The event’s organizers emphasize, "The days of the pandemic are behind us, and we are thrilled to bring back a fully live event to celebrate our history and embrace the future."
"We invite the whole community to join us on April 5th," Kaiser adds. "People from anywhere can participate in the online auction and purchase chances for an incredible Florida getaway through our website or by calling the school." Attendees are encouraged to register in advance through the Marquette website. Doors open at 4:00-5:00 PM for item previews and check-in before 5:00 PM Mass at St. Joseph’s. Following Mass, the celebration kicks off in the Trinity Center with dinner from 6:00-8:00 PM, a full bar, games of chance, a special limited-time “Old Fashioned” bar, and more. The Live Auction begins at 8:30 PM, followed by the "Heads or Tails" game to win a TV, along with the Purse Auction and Grid Raffle winner announcements. The celebration will continue until midnight, featuring live music from talented Marquette alumni.
A special highlight of the evening is the annual Helping Hands initiative. Kaiser explains, "With our growing enrollment, we need to replace our middle school lockers and add additional lockers for our high school students. We hope to accomplish this through the generosity of our Helping Hands donors." He adds, "This event plays a crucial role in the success of our school. We deeply appreciate every contribution, no matter the size, and ensure that every gift is treated with care."
Mr. Kaiser extends his heartfelt gratitude to all those who work tirelessly to make this event a reality each year, as well as to those who continue to lift Marquette Catholic Schools in prayer and support the community in countless ways. "We are incredibly excited for the future, and this celebration is a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of our supporters."
