HannahTaylor

Three Marian alumnae, Natalie Thomas Hughes ‘03, Nikki Boulay ‘88 and Karly Jurgensen Daniel ‘04, along with an amazing lineup of musicians, don themselves in sparkles and spirit as they prepare themselves to welcome the sold out audience for their concert: Harmonies for Hope. 

Harmonies for Hope is a charity concert that has been held for the past three Decembers in Marian’s performing arts center. The ticket sales for the 2025 shows go directly to charities; this year’s chosen charity was CUES School, an organization that brings private school education to those in low-income areas. The charity for the 2024 and 2023 shows was the Heart Ministry Center.

For the three alumnae, it was their “shared dream,” said Hughes, Mrs. Michelle Delisi’s niece. Between the three alumnae, they had wanted to give back to the community that raised them for the holiday, and succeeded with their first shows in 2023. The three of them have successful musical careers— with credits such as performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, earning “Best of Omaha” two years in a row, and working with companies such as Manheim Steamroller, Netflix and local radio stations. 

All starting their musical careers at Marian, they found that their love for performing never floundered, especially when, “doing it with the people you love… when you surround yourself with people you want to hang out with, it’s just a big party on stage… it’s really great,” said Jurgensen. The love radiating from the friendship held among the musicians— even through busy adult life— reminds everyone what the Christmas spirit truly represents: community. 

For current Marian girls, it’s an experience that feels like sisterhood— uniting alums and students under the common goals of spreading holiday charitability. 

“I did it because I had nothing else to do,” said Sasha Gross-Rhode, a freshman at Marian participating in the Harmonies for Hope concert this year. However, once she actually got into the rehearsals and performances, she found that she “enjoyed it” and “found it very nice,” said Gross-Rhode. The Marian worship choir volunteers being led by Mrs. Anna Kolterman ‘94 brought bright red robes and warm backup vocals to the stage. 

Behind the audience, the Marian STARS– seniors Madeline Iske and Sophia Sparwasser and sophomore Abby Sparwasser– worked hard to ensure the light, sound, and action on stage didn’t fail to feel like a Hallmark movie come to life. 

“I like how it’s a big fundraiser, but they made it enjoyable,” said Gross-Rhode. Running about an hour and a half, each minute was jam packed with ballads, guitar riffs, treble harmonies and– of course– lots of jingle bells. 

The iconic Christmas songs, the winter wonderland-adorned stage and the people made everything worth it for Gross-Rhode, as well as everyone who had purchased a ticket to the magical concert running Wednesday, Dec. 3 to Thursday, Dec. 4. 

But the glitz and glam isn’t the draw of the show, it’s the cause that really makes this concert merry and bright.

The CUES school system includes Sacred Heart, All Saints and Holy Name. Their mission is to empower and support both students and families to break cycles of generational poverty. With services— such as mental and behavioral health support— and a dedicated staff, the CUES school system has helped 96% of their elementary students to graduate from high school. 

None of this would be possible without donations. This is why events such as Harmonies for Hope are so important to charities across Omaha. With organizations and events raising as much as $100,000, countless lives were changed through the power of the Christmas spirit. 

“[Thanks to Harmonies for Hope] for the fact that they chose CUES schools to benefit from their hard work and dedication,” said Fr. Dave Korth, president of the CUES school system. The late nights rehearsing and performing for little to no compensation is passion for service and spirituality in it’s purest form. 

“We hope you continue to learn more about our mission and choose to work in harmony with us, as we continue to provide hope for our students and their families,” said Fr. Korth. The invaluable impact that Harmonies for Hope has had on so many lives during the Christmas season is what some may consider a true Christmas miracle. 

Whether an escape from the frigid cold or a sweet mid-week musical treat, the Harmonies for Hope concert created Christmas miracles for children in the Omaha metro. With lights lining the stage, these Marian alumnae provide a light to those in need.