Excitement and positive energy filled the Bayfront Convention Center at this year’s Legacy Gala 2026: "Rooted in Tradition - United in Mission." Alumni, donors, friends, faculty, and staff gathered at our annual fundraising event to support our students and celebrate those who continue to lead us into the future by standing united in our mission and remaining committed to making a positive impact in our community. Each year, we proudly recognize alumni who have demonstrated unwavering support and dedication to our schools over the years. This year we honored Nancy Neumaier Bird ’84VMA, The Most Reverend Edward M. Lohse, J.C.D. ’80, and the Ehrman Family by inducting them into the President’s Hall of Fame. We are pleased to announce that we raised a total of $437,831 through Legacy Gala!
Guests indulged in the delights of the delicious hors d’oeuvres and libations and danced to live music from The Chozen Few, while participating in an onsite basket raffle and engaging in spirited bidding on auction items through online mobile bidding. Supporters had the chance to begin bidding in the weeks leading up to the event. This allowed parents, alumni, and friends to support our school from afar.
Among the auction items were: a Broadway getaway for two, a “heavenly dinner” with Fr. Mike DeMartinis, a 14K rose gold morganite & diamond necklace, an all-inclusive Croatia luxury yacht cruise, a private dinner for eight at The Cork 1794, and more! The combined efforts from the auction and the basket raffle yielded over $72,700 in support of our students.
Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System President Kevin Smith warmly welcomed attendees and introduced Chaplain Fr. Ben Daghir to begin our ceremony as we begin everything, in prayer. Our AFJROTC cadets then presented our nation’s colors for the National Anthem before the Cathedral Prep Dance Ensemble lit up the stage with their tango-inspired piece choreographed by our dance instructor, Jessica Lucas. Alonna Hudson ’26 and Matthew Oblich ’26 shared the impact of their Prep experiences and spoke to the audience about how powerful their support can be in changing the lives of our students.
With this call for Tuition Angels, our guests’ commitment to our students proved to be overwhelming as we collected $150,200 for the Tuition Angels Program, a 25% increase from last year’s total! Contributions from our Tuition Angels directly fund student financial aid, ensuring that a Cathedral Prep education remains accessible for all Erie families. Lauren Proper ’26 closed this portion of the program by singing a beautiful rendition of ‘On My Own’ from Les Misérables School Edition, our upcoming spring musical.
None of this would have been achievable without the support of our sponsors and donors. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each sponsor, donor, guest, and Tuition Angel for their unwavering commitment to our students’ success. Together, we continue to cultivate an environment of growth and excellence, nurturing the groundwork for future generations to come.
For more photos from the evening, please visit www.cathedralprep.com/legacygala! Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s Gala on March 13, 2027!
