The Alumni Association of Thomas More Prep-Marian is proud to sponsor the 51st Annual Auction for Christian Education (ACE). From the very first auction in 1975 to 2024, ACE has raised $13,542,171.06 for Thomas More Prep-Marian. The Hays business community, TMP-Marian parents, alumni and friends have worked many years together with the Capuchin Friars and Agnesian Sisters, and the Diocese of Salina to keep the dream of a Catholic educational option alive. Thanks to you, our alumni, and many others in the business and professional community, ACE is a continuing testimony to your support and belief in our mission.
We invite all previous donors to favor us again with quality item(s) for the auction and ask new donors to be as generous as your situation permits. It takes a large variety of gifts to make this event a success. We are counting on your support to help Hays Catholic Schools. Our volunteers are eager to visit with you regarding your donation. An early response will allow quick progress towards the success of ACE 2025. Our Alumni Association Board thanks you in advance for your contributions and asks for continued prayers for the success of our auction. God Bless and GO MONARCHS!
Our gracious ACE 2025 hosts are: Randy ‘62 & Carol Brull, Jeff & Melissa ‘04 (Bieker) Pinkney, and Matt ‘97 & Natalie ‘99 (Major) Brown.
SCHEDULE
Friday, April 25, 2025
9:00 a.m. Live Kick-off with Hays Area Chamber of Commerce & Online Auction Bidding Begins
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ACE Preview Party
(Preview ticket required to enter)
9:00 p.m. Preview Party Raffle Drawing
(Tickets sold exclusively at this event)
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Advanced ticket purchase required
5:00 p.m. Social Hour
6:00 p.m. Dinner catered by The Rose Garden
6:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Online Auction Bidding Closes
7:00 p.m. Live Auction
10:00 p.m. Raffle Sales End
Cash & Vehicle Raffle Drawings will be held at the conclusion of the live auction.
MENU
APPETIZERS: Apricot Glazed Meatballs, Shrimp Cocktail & Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
DINNER: Garden Salad/Dressing, Smothered Steak , Honey Pecan Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans w/ Colored Peppers, Dinner Rolls
DESSERT: Chocolate Delight, Angel Food Cake w/ Berries & Whipped Cream
COFFEE & CINNAMON ROLLS PREPARED BY TMP-M KITCHEN
If you would like to donate a gift to ACE, please send us an email with details and make arrangements for pickup or delivery! Thank you for your generosity!
THE PLACEMENT OF GIFT ITEMS FOR THE ONLINE AUCTION OR LIVE AUCTION WILL BE DECIDED BY THE ALUMNI OFFICE STAFF. ITEMS MUST BE COLLECTED OR RECEIVED BY 3/1/2025 TO BE INCLUDED IN CATALOG.
Tickets will be sold ONLINE ONLY.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Choose your table!
Cost is $125.00 per person.
Purchase group seats together!
Groups are encouraged to have one person purchase all tickets.
Upon checkout, you will be asked to enter an attendee name for each ticket, which will update our system to assign bidder numbers.
2024 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS MOSAIC BLACK METALLIC
< 500 MILES, $26,000 VALUE
DONATED BY:
KAY & DICK WERTH / AUTO WORLD
2 - $5,000 CASH PRIZES
DONATED BY:
ERNEST ‘53 & JOAN HORINEK
ART & MAE WILKENS FAMILY CHUCK, KENT, STEVE ‘81, TONY ‘82, BRENDA ‘84 & LISA
2 - $2,000 CASH PRIZES
DONATED BY:
THE LATE LINUS & BERNIECE WERTH FAMILY
JON ‘03 & SHANNON KINDERKNECHT- CALEB ‘31, CHLOE ‘33, CAMDEN ‘35, CLARA ‘38
5 - $1,000 CASH PRIZES
DONATED BY:
NEIL ’90 & ANN ’94 (BERENS) GOTTSCHALK
THE LATE LEROY & BERNICE HERRMAN FAMILY
JOE & VIRGINIA HESS
MATT & TYLER ‘07 WERTH / HAYS CAR & TRUCK ALIGNMENT
BARNEY ‘64 & SHEILA ‘65 (ROSS) BOOS
ITEM #160 -"Fueling STEM"
The Leo J. and Albina Dreiling Charitable Trust again provides $250,000 in matching funds for this year’s Item #160. They are helping to lead the charge for the group of donors we are building to provide a grand total of matching funds of $500,000 to be matched to raise a total of $1 MILLION. This is a huge undertaking and to those who are participating or plan to participate, thank you!
Each year, we work to raise Item #160 funds for the specific needs of the school as determined by the administration and its advisory councils. We are excited to announce Item #160 for ACE 51 will support SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM). This is an investment in the future of our STEM-focused areas and creating the next generation of STEM leaders!
Our goal is to energize our STEM PROGRAMS for every student. Your support will help us do just that, whether by funding classroom improvements, purchasing new lab equipment, or supporting ongoing program operations to maintain the quality of our STEM curriculum. Each donation strengthens our STEM department from the inside out.
Funds raised will ensure we have the tools and resources necessary to provide consistent, quality STEM education—keeping our labs/work areas safe, well-stocked, and up-to-date with foundational supplies and equipment. Additionally, your contribution will help cover operational needs, maintenance, and equipment repairs and support our dedicated staff so our programs can keep moving forward. Your gift at any level propels us into the future, bringing exciting discoveries to life while sustaining the educational resources our students need. Together, we can provide a bright future for science at our school. Join us on this journey—help bring STEM education ‘Back to the Future’ today!
Donations received by 3/1/2025 will be recognized in ACE publications.
The 50/50 Society is the re-imagining of "Pennies for ACE." For years, the “Pennies for ACE” Program has been a real boost to the annual Auction for Christian Education (ACE). With the ever-changing needs of the school and the push for sustainability, we have come up with a new way to achieve both goals!
Donors to the 50/50 Society can donate to either level and have their impact help in more ways than one! Each donation to this society will have their donation split to go towards the auction total (which goes right back to the school for its most immediate needs), and the other half will go towards a sustainability fund that provides past Item #160 projects funds to maintain and sustain projects into the future!
Donations received by 3/1/2025 will be recognized in ACE publications.