Notre Dame school far exceeds fundraising goal

Activity Week at Notre Dame Regional High School last week raised more than $265,000 for the school's operating budget -- more than doubling the year's fundraising goal.

"It was a stupendous week," said Brother David Migliorino, the school's principal.

Throughout the week, students sold candy, fruit, trash bags, raffle tickets and more, and each class also hosted a dinner and car wash.

"The enthusiasm in the building during the school day last week was incredible," said Danny Strohmeyer, dean of student activity. "Every student, from freshman to senior, was excited and excited to be here. We had assemblies every day, and they came dressed in costumes and cheered, all excited about Notre Dame and Activity Week and fundraising."

About 5,000 people attended the dinners, Migliorino said, including some who traveled from St. Louis, New Madrid, Missouri, and Dexter, Missouri, as well as Cobden and Marion, Illinois.

Tony Buehrle, development director at Notre Dame, said the parents also contribute a lot of work, especially at the dinners.

"There's a phenomenal number of parents who support this thing," he said. "We know the kids do a ton of stuff, but to have the parents come in and greet each other and work with each other and really create these new relationships with people they didn't know before is really pretty cool."

The initial fundraising goal was set at $125,000, and school officials said it's the first time the student per capita was over $500.

It also is the first time each student sold something and actively participated, officials said.

The senior class had the largest sales total at $119,245, and its king and queen candidates, Angelica Rubi and Blake Dunlap, were crowned at the Activity Week dance. The seniors had the highest overall class ranking per capita at $864.

Juniors came in second at $459, freshmen in third at $356 and sophomores in fourth at $301.

"Our whole theme this year has been high school is four years, Notre Dame is forever," Migliorino said. "Notre Dame is forever in their hearts, and we are so grateful."

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