2006

Gala was established in 2006 and raised $116,000 in it’s first year. Funds provided for security and surveillance system for the front entrance of the school, computer hardware, science textbooks, religious education materials, and playground equipment. Founding members of the Gala Committee were Jerry and Amy Frankl, Craig and Debbie Grandgenette and Joel and Michelle Thilges. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was given to Michael Vaclav. The Honorary Alumna Award was given to Shari Hammer.

2007

In it’s second year, Gala raised $115,000. Funds were used for youth ministry programs, technology enhancements, and facility renovations for classroom expansion. The committee co-chairs for the event were Jerry and Amy Frankl, Craig and Debbie Grandgenette and Joel and Michelle Thilges. The Distinguished Alumna Award was given to Michelle Thilges. The honorary Alumnus Award was given to John Kleinschmidt.

2008

The 3rd Annual Gala raised $193,000 to provide a public address system, lunch tables, carpet, and a contingency fund for the school. Fund-A-Need raised $48,000 for numerous technology upgrades for the school and classrooms. The committee co-chairs for the event were Darryl and Jody Bennett, Chris and Jennifer Masini and David and Diane Suntken. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Todd & Johna Clancy. The Honorary Alumnus Award was given to William Burke.

2009

The 4th Annual Gala raised $163,000. Funds provided for new carpet and tile installation, textbooks, instructional materials, and playground fencing. Fund-A-Needs raised $32,500 which was used for playground equipment and prayer garden improvements. The committee co-chairs for the event were Darryl and Jody Bennett, Pete Goche and M. Monica Gillen and Ty and Kelly Stewart. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Priscilla & Richard Matt. The Honorary Alumnus Award was given to Duane Siepker.

2012

The 7th Annuals Gala raised over $120,000 and Fund-A-Need raised $32,000. Funds provided for new school textbooks, materials for preschool, and bibles and workbooks for educational ministry programs. The committee co-chairs for the event were Matt and Jessica Loecke, Nate and Lezli Pelzer and Troy and Lisa Weary. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Diana and Matt Thatcher.  The Honorary Alumni Award was given to Jodi and Darryl Bennett.

2013

The 8th Annual Gala raised over $125,000 and Fund-A-Need raised $39,000. Funds provided for new desks, tables, chairs, storage, and document readers in the school. The committee co-chairs for the event were Matt and Jessica Loecke, Nate and Lezli Pelzer and Troy and Lisa Weary. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Jenni Sillman, Susan Vernon and Pat and Mindy Stahr . The Honorary Alumni Award was given to John Kinley and Tom Budnik .

In just 8 years, Gala raised over $1 million dollars for St. Cecilia’s educational and faith formation ministries.

2014

The 9th Annual Gala raised over $130,000 and Fund-A-Need raised $30,000. Funds were used to update the Christian Peterson, “Madonna of the Schools” statue, building wi-fi, social hall projector, art supplies and new comprehensive reading program. The committee co-chairs for the event were Nate and Lezlie Pelzer, Pat and Mindy Stahr and Matt and Diana Thatcher. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Francine White. The Honorary Alumni Award was given to art teacher, Lisa Teske.

2015

The 10th Annual Gala raised $124,000 and Fund-A-Need over $32,000. Funds were used for a new math curriculum, books to be distributed to the parish, children’s liturgy cart, a new stereo for youth ministry, and funds for a Catholic speaker. The Endowment Fund was also the recipient of two very generous estate gifts: Jim McDonald's estate left a gift of $211,000 and Irene Klingseis and her husband Paul left a gift of $150,000. The committee co-chairs for the event were Craig and Nancy Fink, Pat and Mindy Stahr and Matt and Diana Thatcher. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Terri and Tim Simodynes and Honorary Alumni Award was given to Lois Vidimos.

2018

The 13th Annual Gala raised over $133,000 and Fund-a-Need raised over $35,000. Funds provided for the renovation of the main school bathrooms located adjacent to the gym and parish Advent and Lenten prayer books. The committee co-chairs for the event were Mike and Mary Cowan, Jason and Julie Crimmins, Katie and Todd Tjaden and Jarod and Angela Carl. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Tiffany Walker. The Honorary Alumni Award was given to Mark & Margy Hanson.

2019

The 14th Annual Gala raised over $136,000. The committee co-chairs for the event were Katie and Todd Tjaden, Jarod and Angela Carl, Jaime and Matt Wandling and John and Kelly Odenweller. The Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to Sarah Kaspar. The Honorary Alumni Award was given to Jason and Jennifer Mortimer and Peg Stowell.

2020

The 15th Annual Gala was converted to a golf outing due to the ongoing worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The committee co-chairs for the event were John and Kelly Odenweller, Ron and Jean Kaptur and Don and Meredith Wulf. All of the funds raised during this smaller event were used to update the security system on the entire St. Cecilia campus.

2021

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 16th Annual Gala was converted again to a golf outing. The 2nd Annual Golf Event raised . Fund-A-Need funds were again used to finance upgrades to the St. Cecilia campus security system. The committee co-chairs for the event were Ron and Jean Kaptur, Jon and Stacy Ryan, Jenny and Erik Lawrence and Calleen and Tyler Jensen.

2024

Mark your calendars, the 19th Annual Gala is scheduled for April 13th, 2024! This year’s theme is Moonlight Masquerade. The gala will move to a new venue this year. We look forward to celebrating with you at the Iowa State Alumni Center.