by J1 Reporter Meredith Britson 

Throughout the month of September, Marian students raised more than $120,000 for tuition assistance for future Marian students. Bake sales are an important part of the Walk-A-Thon tradition, WAT for short.

Throughout the month, Marian students raised money for their class to see which class could raise the most money. Students supported give-back nights for their class by eating out at restaurants donating a percent of the money raised back to Marian. Marian students also held car washes and bake sales to raise money. Bake sales are a popular and easy way for the students to raise money for WAT because everyone can participate. 

Math tutor and Student Board co-moderator Ms. Jessica Abel said, “This year, seniors raised five percent of their Walk-A-Thon money from the bake sale, juniors raised six percent of the WAT money from the back sale, sophomores raised four percent and freshmen raised eight percent.”

Bake sales are for everyone. Students baked goods at home and brought their fresh goodies the next morning. Although goodies were a huge hit, girls are not limited to food. They brought energy drinks, coffee, raffles, and even jewelry and stickers. Girls put a lot of time and effort into putting on a successful bake sale. The more creative the better.

In the past, the bake sale has been a successful and fair way to raise money. However, this year, the numbers raised an alarming concern. The juniors were missing half a thousand dollars. 

Junior Ellie Fogarty spent hours making hundreds of earrings to sell at the junior bake sale on Sept. 9. Unfortunately, in the chaos of the bake sale, students walked off with more earrings than they paid for. “The best estimate I can make is about $500 missing from the bake sale.” Although she tried to be there to monitor the earrings, she had to go to class, but Fogarty said, “I could tell our inventory was off.” 

Money raised from the bake sale goes back to future Marian students so it is unethical to steal from the bake sales. Ms. Kris Hennings, Dean of Discipline, looked at the cameras and juniors talked to administration about it, but there was nothing that could be done. If students accidentally walked off without paying, they can still contact Fogarty at 24.ellie.fogarty@omahamarian.org to ask for her Venmo. 

Traditions like Walk-A-Thon are a privilege that are an important part of Marian. Students realize the effect this has on the tradition WAT and won’t let it happen again. WAT is a lasting tradition at Marian that brings girls together to help raise money for tuition assistance for future Marian girls. WAT will help raise money for future students for many years to come.