Marching to a Win-Win
Friendly competition increases two annual funds.
Never-say-die upperclass phonathoners Joe Bell, Paige Bowie, Lauren Butler, Sarah Cresto, Marshall Gifford, Sarah Hancock, Chris Yih, Hutton Becker, Shelby Luce, Ellie Hancock, and Maddie McMorrow hopped down to the front of Assembly last week to share the news that 57% of Thacher’s GOLD classes (Graduates Of the Last Decade) participated in March Magic, a friendly annual giving competition with Cate School started last year to promote participation in both schools’ Alumni Funds. After losing last year by a mere 8 points, our young grads ramped it up this second year, besting Cate by 28 points and, more importantly, increasing overall alumni participation in the annual Alumni Fund.
Brief background: In the fall of 2010, Hallie Preston and Mike Ferguson from Cate’s Alumni Office approached Thacher's Amy Elmore and Suzie Nixon Bohnett with the idea, based on a similar competition among four New England colleges at the same time as the NCAA’s March Madness. This year, Derick Perry CdeP 1983 took on the management of the competition for Thacher, as Director of Annual Giving (and former basketball coach), serving as mascot, timer, referee, and cheerleader.
In accepting the trophy, Head of School Michael K. Mulligan took the competition element clear out of the equation, noting that “both schools are blessed by this kind of young alum participation.” He went on to reiterate what many are fully aware of: since only about two-thirds of a student’s education is paid for by tuition, the generous support of graduates is critical. “Each of us has an obligation to support the schools, colleges, and other institutions that support us along our way. We must look after those places that are dedicated, as Cate and Thacher are, to our growth. We hope that as you all go forward in your lives, you’ll help make this kind of positive impact.”
Says Derick, “We appreciate the invitation to create March Magic with Cate and look forward to a show-down next year. Best of three?”
Sounds like the thud of a gaunlet to us.
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
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