Student-organized benefit concert at Notre Dame raises more than $5,400

While Notre Dame Regional High School seniors Mary Katherine Montgomery and Jessie Ritter may have made pink Converse tennis shoes trendy their freshman year, they're much more proud of carrying on the institution's vision for its students -- enter to learn and leave to serve.

With support from a few Notre Dame faculty, Montgomery and Ritter hosted their second annual benefit concert Sunday, in which around 35 student singers and 20 musical acts performed. This year, admission to the concert -- and additional donations -- benefited Whole Kids Outreach, an Ellington, Mo., not-for-profit group. Around 250 people attended the concert that raised more than $5,400.

The faith-based organization addresses the unmet health and wellness needs of hundreds of families with young children, said Montgomery, who has done service work with a summer camp the program offers.

"Mary Katherine has been talking about this as long as I've known her," Ritter said. "We took this [project] and made it our own."

Last year, the pair and concert performers helped to raise $5,000 for a mission in Haiti. Ritter said it benefited a village where a small school was built.

"This year we wanted to keep the cause closer to home," she said.

Performing solo, in duos or with a full choir, students sang a variety of cover songs, including "Let It Be" by The Beatles, "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson and "The Scientist" by Coldplay. Students hummed and whistled "Linus and Lucy," an instrumental tune known best for appearing in the "Peanuts" cartoon specials.

Ritter sang with a choir and in the show's finale but also on her own, performing "Firework" by Katy Perry.

"It's a shout-out to all the kids; I want to say you're special and you're awesome," she said.

In the middle of the concert Sister Anne Francioni, Whole Kids Outreach executive director, addressed the audience, introducing them to the organization. She said being a faith-based not-for-profit wasn't actually planned.

"It just happened. Every time we turned around, God showed up," Francioni said. "We help families understand how to be one. We make whole families."

Francioni expressed her gratitude to Montgomery, Ritter and the student body for hosting the fundraiser.

"I'm so overwhelmed with a sense of awe. Brother David, what have you done? It's amazing to me to see such goodness, such talent in your students," she said, referring to principal Brother David Migliorino.

Only a few months away from graduation, Ritter and Montgomery said they will always remember what they've learned by organizing the benefit concerts. It takes a lot of work, they said, and aren't sure if any underclassmen have decided to take on a project of their own.

"We haven't said anything or asked," Ritter said. "If you just figure it out on your own, it's much more fulfilling, but if we do start a trend it's something to be proud of."

To learn about the benefit concert's charity, visit www.wholekidsoutreach.org.

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