The Visor

The always extravagant Marilyn Stripe

May 12, 2010

The school community depends on the money raised from Extravaganza, the student raffle and the annual fund. It also depends on the cheerleaders to bring school spirit. And whether it knows it or not, it depends on the woman behind it all, Marilyn Stripe, whose commitment deserves appreciation.

One of the largest and most profitable fundraisers Stripe runs is Extravaganza. As the coordinator, she spends nine to ten months planning the event, and her work days can last around 12 to 15 hours as the date draws near. This year, due to her strenuous efforts, at least $230,000 has been raised, though the total has not officially been calculated yet.

Stripe also works on the student raffle that takes place every fall. Ordering tickets, deciding on and purchasing incentives, collecting and recording money and organizing students’ free days make the job time-consuming.

Her work helping Director of Annual Giving Carolyn Henretta by stuffing envelopes and assisting with phone calls for the annual fund also brings in significant funds for the school.

Stripe’s work goes beyond her fundraising efforts, though. She helps set up and prepare the meal for the Academic and Chivalrous Knight luncheons every semester and for meetings Brother Ken Haders and Dr. Mary Anne Beiting convene throughout the year. She even assists in the central office when needed.

But that’s just the beginning. Arriving at 6:15 or 6:30 AM, she assists running the school bookstore – selling tickets and spirit items. In addition, from the first week of June to March, she also coaches the freshman, JV and varsity cheerleading squads with the help of Kristie Viscomi. During the school year, the teams practice three days a week, one night at Perfect Balance, a facility suited for tumbling and mounting. Football games occur on Thursday night for freshman, Friday night for varsity and Saturday morning for JV, and the cheerleaders must perform at two basketball games a week throughout the winter.

Though members of the community may not realize it, much that occurs behind the scenes that makes Hoban run smoothly and brings in necessary funds is thanks to the efforts of Stripe. While enjoying Extravaganza free days or cheerleaders’ performances, the student body should remember who made those blessings possible.

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