Record Staff Report
Presentation Academy has been named the winner of the #RivalsUnite4Girls fundraising challenge.
The four all-girl Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville — Assumption High School, Mercy Academy, Presentation Academy and Sacred Heart Academy — teamed up last month for the joint alumnae fundraising initiative.
The challenge began March 14 and concluded March 30. During this time, alumnae were encouraged to financially support their school’s annual fund.
Presentation had the highest percentage of alumnae participation at 18 percent. The school will take home a “golden piggy bank” and “bragging rights for the year,” a joint news release from the four schools said.
Mercy landed a close second with 17.7 percent participation from their alumnae. Assumption came in third with 17.2 percent and Sacred Heart placed fourth with 16.5 percent.
In total, the four schools raised more than $130,000 from 2,942 alumnae in just 17 days. (Percentage of participation totals reflect totals from July 1, 2015 until March 30, 2016.)
Presentation raised $28,268 from 883 donors.
Mercy raised $12,176.38 from 906 donors.
Assumption raised $40,001.96 from 973 alumnae.
And 676 alumnae from Sacred Heart donated $51,690.
Barbara Flanders Wine, principal and 1967 graduate of Presentation, said the school is “thrilled” to have won the inaugural #RivalsUnite4Girls campaign.
“But the true winners are the young women who will benefit from a Catholic education made possible from the generous donations of our united alumnae,” she said.
Martha Pfaadt Tedesco, principal and graduate of Assumption, said the challenge overall made a “huge impact in our alumnae engagement and giving.”
“It allowed our alums to demonstrate their pride and they knew their support would make a difference — it does make a difference! Focusing on all four schools together — UNITED — allowed us to create the awareness in the community that education for women is important,” Tedesco said.
Amy Elstone, principal and 1994 graduate of Mercy, said it was “refreshing and encouraging” for the four schools to work together for the future of female Catholic education.
Sacred Heart principal Mary Lee McCoy said the challenge brought about “much needed awareness” for all-girls Catholic education in Louisville.
