As the fall season continues, a significant event will take place here at NDB on Wednesday, October 29.Fund a Future, a unique event that does not occur in many schools, enables students from diverse backgrounds and financial circumstances to attend NDB. It is a crucial night that makes a significant impact on the school.
A great amount of work goes into planning and preparing for this event. Staff members, students, families and alumnae all contribute to the success of the event.
NDB Head of School Meredith Essalat ‘98 gave an overview of the work that goes into the event and the timeline of when preparations start.
“We have a committee of Fund a Future organizers who actually were the ones that started it,” said Essalat. “This is going to be the tenth event over the past nine years, and they have been on this journey every single year.”
She added, “We start the preparation a month after Fund a Future is over, thinking about next year, picking the honoree, thinking about the theme and starting to get everybody rallied around what it’s going to take to pull off next year’s event.”
A main goal of the event is to raise a certain amount of financial donations to allow for students coming from diverse backgrounds, cultures or religions to attend NDB. It removes socioeconomic barriers within the school’s student body. A key role in achieving this goal is played by the students who volunteer for this event.
Currently, students from various grade levels have attended meetings in preparation for this evening to learn how to be servers, engage in conversation with various people and present themselves in the best way possible to be viewed favorably by the guests.
Over thirty students volunteered for this job and are being taught essential skills for the event that will also be used in the future.
The NDB community is eager for this event to take place.
On the night of, tables will be set up in the Moore Pavilion, guests will be served delicious meals prepared by the Epicurean Group and the room will be decorated beautifully. Also, speakers will come to the stage to share about their connection to NDB and their experiences.
The students who volunteer enjoy contributing to this event for many reasons.
“My favorite part of Fund A Future is getting together with the whole school and being able to be a part of a significant event at Notre Dame,” said junior Ava Barbagelata. “Also, being able to make such an impact on these girls’ lives.”
Barbagelata has volunteered at previous Fund a Future events for two years and will help out once again this year.
Not only does the NDB community enjoy the event, but many alumnae and families look forward to it. People who have not seen one another in years can reconnect, and the community can unite.
“I liked meeting many of the people my mom knows and has stayed in touch with in the NDB community as she was a student there,” said volunteer and junior Olivia Philip, who is a third-generation Tiger.
Fund a Future is a highly viewed night at NDB. Some consider it the largest event of the year and an essential part of building the community here.
Fund a Future brings the school together as everyone works together for a good cause. Without the event, NDB would not be nearly as diverse and unique as it is.
