By J1 Reporter Violet Crawford

At Marian, Walk-A-Thon (WAT) is a pretty big deal, and influences the students as well as staff and many others to donate money to the school for tuition assistance and the chance to earn fun prizes and experience friendly competition. 

Theology teacher Mr. Mark Koesters knows how the fundraising effort has changed, developed, and grown throughout the years. “In the competitiveness to gain the spots for Field Day, there’s a lot more enthusiasm,” he said. “I really feel that there is a lot more enthusiasm.”

The increase in enthusiasm is certainly a positive change, and displays how the spirit of Marian students has grown in positive ways. Koesters also remembers changes in the total school goal. “Our goal was $35,000, it’s gone up almost every year. It has to do with inflation.” This is extremely significant, because the school goal in 2023 was $105,000. Compared to the goal of $35,000 back in 1993, this is a major difference in 30 years. 

WAT has changed significantly over time. With this knowledge, students can continue to grow school spirit for WAT and learn more about development with it not only as a school but as individual donors and supporters as well.