By J1 Reporter Ruby Scanlan 

Marian students are eager to gather donations for a financial aid fund for future students, but many girls and their families are unable to meet the financial demand. 

This noble cause, called Walk-a-thon (WAT), is an effort of community and compassion, reflecting two of Marian’s core values and providing new opportunities for a diverse crowd. 

This cause has been put in place to widen the spectrum of students able to attend the prestigious school. “I think a lot of girls don’t realize how different a Marian education looks like on a college application compared to just like a regular public school education,” said junior MajieAhna Winfrey. “We get so many different experiences here… because of WAT… a lot more girls get to experience it.” 

Winfrey, a proud recipient of tuition support through scholarships funded by past and current students, continues to pay it forward and continues this train of support. Winfrey raised money through a plethora of methods, from asking for organizations that she works with to sending the donation page link to friends and family, using her aid assistance as a driving force to help other girls like her. 

Despite her efforts, Winfrey said that she feels inclined to contribute money so other girls like her could afford a Marian education despite her financial challenges. This situation is not isolated since many other girls are in a crisis, as 53% of Marian students receive some sort of financial support. “…A lot of girls feel the urge to donate to WAT just because…everybody else is donating,” Winfrey said.

After a selfless donation to the Junior class, Winfrey ran into some issues of her own that prevented her from donating more, and had to take a break from her contribution. Other Marian girls ran into the same trouble, especially after the link between Field Day and Walk-a-Thon was reintroduced.

 The pressure was truly on. Classmates became ecstatic and urged everyone to donate even more. “If everybody in the junior class donated $5, we would have reached our goal quicker…the more students that donate, the better.” 

In the end, all worries and pressures fizzled away after the student body raised more than their set school goal of $100,000 with a whopping $150,490. The money raised will allow a new generation of leaders, world changers, and more to grow and be safe, smart, and Servite citizens of their community, no matter their financial stance.