The annual Holy Rosary Gala Dinner is Saturday.The formal event has become a tradition at the Warrenton church and is a fundraiser for Holy Rosary’s Catholic School.Sonia McNealy has been working to fine-tune the details for the event, which helped bring in $62,000 last year. Donations are dispersed among the students, going toward lowering costs by funding anything from paper towels to keeping lights on and supplying classroom needs.“The event is amazing,” said McNealy. “It’s a diverse group from the Warrenton community that come out to help support the school. Some people have no relation to the school.”Doors open at 5 p.m. for a social hour and viewing of silent auction items. A buffet will be catered by Splendid Catering with an open bar available.A live auction and dessert bar will continue through the evening, with a performance by the band My Friend Mike concluding the evening.A $55 ticket covers the buffet, open bar and live performance.Last year the event resulted in each student benefiting around $600.There has been a change of venue for the event this year. In previous years the Gala was held in the school’s activity center, this year’s event will take place in the gymnasium.“We are hoping this will give us more room to spread out and include more people, along with the auction displays,” said McNealy.This year’s oral auction includes about 30 items. The highlight is a five-day trip to Belize with a $500 air voucher. Other items will include PGA Championship tickets and concert passes.There also will be a number of raffles available, including a chance at $2,500 or a free year’s tuition.“We take the funds we’ve raised, and it goes straight into the general fund for the school and helps with everyday operating cost, so we can continue to provide one of the lowest tuitions in a Catholic school in the St. Louis area,” said McNealy.McNealy encourages patrons to purchase their tickets in advance, as walk-ons are an option but not guaranteed. To purchase tickets or inquire more about the event, go to www.holyrosarywm.com.

Students exit Holy Rosary School in Warrenton at the end of the school day. 

Record photo/Adam Rollins