By Kyra Wex –
Mark your calendars because December 1 is an exciting night at Nepean High School that brings the school and the community together. The event is called Knight at Nepean, Ottawa’s best high school fundraising party.
Knight at Nepean is an annual fundraising event organized by Nepean High School’s parent council. It features an Italian-themed dinner and music, a silent auction, a photo booth and a cash bar. This event raises money to ensure students have the supplies they need to enrich their learning.
Recent purchases assisted by funds raised at Knight at Nepean include iPads for the visual arts program, microscopes for the science lab, tables and chairs for student study areas, and stacks of Chromebooks.
The evening’s goal is to make a positive, lasting impact on the students of Nepean High School.
Stella Totev, chair of Knight at Nepean, credits the passionate volunteer parent team who make the night possible. There is at least three months’ preparation involved. The volunteers are motivated by the goal of supporting the Nepean High School student body.
It is the strong partnership between the Nepean High School parent body and the local community that makes this night truly successful. The organizing committee depends on the generosity of local businesses, annually receiving approximately 150 silent auction. There is something for every taste featured at the auction: jewelry, decadent cakes, gym memberships, tea packages, services, and event tickets. The money is raised primarily from the local community’s involvement, ticket sales and through the silent auction, explains Stella.
Stella highlights the importance of having fun while fundraising. When asked to list words that describe the event, she immediately lights up and replies: “Exhilarating, beautiful, and magical.” This reflects the ultimate passion she has for creating a memorable night for the community.
“If you don’t know that you are in a high school cafeteria, you wouldn’t be able to guess. Everything from the many lanterns hanging from the ceiling, the colorful table cloths on the bistro tables, the décor, the music, the beautiful cakes on display for the silent auction, the many items for bids, and the delicious food – all contribute to the overall atmosphere of this wonderful neighbourhood party,” says Stella.
Knight at Nepean hosts more than 200 people, including business owners, parents of both current and graduated Nepean students, Nepean alumni, community members, principals, and teachers. Each year’s event has raised over $10,000.
Organizers are looking for more donations for this year’s silent auction.
“We also would like to attract new volunteers each year, increase the attendance, and establish even more relationships within the community that supports us,” says Stella.
Doors for Knight at Nepean open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is served around 7 p.m., the bidding on the silent auction items run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., and the event comes to an end just after 9 p.m. For ticket purchases and further information, please call Nepean High School at 613-722-6551 and or go to Knightatnepean.com.
Kyra Wex is a grade 12 student at Nepean High School.