Come on Down: Eaglefest & Eagle Award

Eaglefest

The price was surely right at this year's Eaglefest. With a strong community presence, a record breaking total and the perfect Price is Right theme, Eaglefest was again one to remember. 

This year's Eaglefest had the traditional elements of Big 5 games, Best Chance, 50/50, Bucket Raffle, Grab Bags, Live Auction, & Raise the Paddle. However, there were some new elements with our Big 5 games to ensure our Price is Right theme was used to the fullest. 

Each game was newly named to fit a classic Price is Right game: 5 Card Draw was simply renamed to the The Card Game for a chance to win a Beer & Wine Fridge. Jewel Quest was renamed to Let 'em Roll where players got an extra entry for every five rolled on the dice. Taste of Grand Rapids became Plinko with three prizes that you could be entered into depending on where your Plinko chip fell. Hole in One provided extra entries depending on your putting skills to win the perfect Backyard Game package. And lastly, Heads and Tails took a break as the Showcase Showdown took it's appearance. The top 20 spin amounts, which ended up being $1 and $0.95, spun again upstairs. The top two then went head to head to determine the face market value of the Showcase Showdown's prize of a Broil King 3-burner propane grill.

This year we had over 20 live auction packages. Some new favorites were the Torch River Fourth of July Getaway & the Authentic Taco dinner provided by ASA's very own Guerrero Family. Half way through the live auction, we raised our paddles for the second phase of our Upper Campus play space. 

Mr. Debri made the following comments: "Last year we raised the paddle for Phase 1 of our Upper Campus play space. There was a lot of heavy equipment on our grounds this summer. We extended the ball field and regraded the outfield for better drainage. A new irrigation system was installed and new grass was planted. Additional fencing was installed for the safety of our students in the dugouts. A number of dying trees were also removed and the infield was completely redone with new stone dust.  We are looking forward to later this spring when our students can have full access to the play space! 

We know how important it is for our students to be active, enjoy the fresh air of the outdoors, and simply partake in good old fashioned PLAY. With your help tonight, we can make great strides in this effort as Phase 2 of our plan is for a new Upper Campus Playground. " Mr. Debri's comments finished with a video that showcased ASA's mission of transformative education. This video will become public next Fall.

Thank you to everyone who supported Eaglefest this year, whether through your time or money. Eaglefest would not be the celebration of Catholic education at ASA without the strong community we have. 

In total, we raised over $115,000. We look forward to updating the blog with our final gross and net amount once all expenses and income are finalized.

Eagle Award

One of the many parents who ensure Eaglefest is a success is our beloved Spanish teacher and parent of three, Señora Zarzecki. Señora Zarzecki was also this year's 2022 Eagle Award winner. 

Señora Zarzecki was nominated by three different individuals this year. If you are a part of the ASA community, you have probably been impacted by the kind, selfless, generous and hilarious Susan Zarzecki. She is truly deserving of this year's Eagle Award.

Señora Zarecki knows how to bring the community together, whether she is teaching in her classroom, directing the musical, or planning Eaglefest. She has a heart of giving as one nomination described: "Susan embodies and lives out ASA's core beliefs of faith, learning, loving and serving in her everyday life and through her daily interactions with our students, parents, and fellow community members. Susan is always giving back in any and every capacity and deserves to be recognized for her amazing efforts."

Congratulations, Señora Zarzecki! This community would not be the same without you.

The Eagle Award is presented each year on All Saints Day by the Home and School Association to a member of the ASA community in acknowledgement of his or her extraordinary contribution to the success of All Saints Academy. This award enhances the culture of All Saints Academy by drawing attention to those who are living our Catholic faith and supporting our school mission by holding them up as an example for others to follow. While it is true that no great achievement is accomplished by the work of one person, a significantly great work like the creation, building and operation of All Saints Academy requires talented and committed people. 

The winners of this award reflect the characteristics we hope for in our students and need in our school family. Prior recipients of this award have included: 

• 2011: Chris Burns 
• 2012: Pete and Peg Gonzalez 
• 2013: Mariae Firlit 
• 2014: Christine Jarecki 
• 2015: Linda Kozminski 
• 2016: Judy Hardy 
• 2017: Jon Fournier
• 2018: Deb Westveer
• 2019: Jenny LaPonsie 
• 2020: John Matlak
• 2021: Jill Ott