Another Great Success!
Donahue Academy’s third annual Craic & Ceol fundraiser was another tremendous success, welcoming the largest crowd yet and receiving remarkable support from sponsors, parents, alumni, and members of the community. The evening brought together friends of the school for a joyful celebration filled with entertainment and generosity in support of Catholic education. The evening kicked off with an introduction by Dr. Marc Snyder, Principal, remarks by Fr. John Belmonte, Superintendent of Catholic education for the Diocese of Venice, and a blessing by Ave Maria Pastor Fr. David Vidal.
One of the highlights of the night was a tribute to Donahue alumni, including the return of Ms. Christina Fox, who was Class of 2011 Valedictorian and now serves as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C. Ms. Fox reflected on her time at Donahue Academy and shared how her experience contributed greatly to her career. Guests also enjoyed a lively performance from student band Ziplash, along with live and silent auctions, raffles, and a direct fundraising appeal led by Mr. Wil Hampton, Director of Advancement. “It was a really fun evening and a very good night for our school,” Mr. Hampton remarked. “A special thanks to Mrs. Jana Patterson, Assistant Advancement Director, and all the staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make it happen.” Another memorable moment from the evening was the auction of the tree used as the centerpiece of this year’s decoration theme, Growing in Love. The tree was planted on school grounds, creating a lasting tribute to the Joyce Family and the 2026 Craic & Ceol. Excitement quickly spread among students, especially those in the lower grades. They eagerly watched the planting and celebrated the shade the tree will provide for years to come. The celebration concluded with dancing and the popular cigar and whiskey bar for another memorable event. Ar aghaidh leat! (Onward!)
