Education took center stage on the second night of the 76th annual Hopkinsville Rotary Auction, as public and private schools across Christian County combined to raise more than $40,000 while also celebrating grants aimed at enhancing student opportunities.
School groups, students and educators packed the auction floor, showcasing months of fundraising efforts that culminated in a total of $40,780.41 raised during Education Night.
Christian County Public Schools led the way with a combined total of $27,255.41, according to Superintendent Chris Bentzel, who praised both the effort and the partnership behind the event.
“It was a great night,” Bentzel said. “All of our principals are here with our students and I appreciate Brett, the auction chair, recognizing each school and how they fundraise money. Different events for each school; some dodgeball, some snack sales, some basketball games and all types of events and our kids really enjoy it.”
Bentzel said the district continues to see growth in its fundraising totals each year.
“So in total we raised $27,255.41 for Christian County Public Schools and I think we have more to go next year and keep growing upon those totals and really are proud of the partnership and relationship with Rotary and all the support they give our public school system,” he said.
Among public schools, Christian County High School raised the most with $6,410.53, followed by Indian Hills Elementary at $4,000. Other contributions included Millbrooke Elementary ($2,667), Hopkinsville Middle School ($2,640.86), South Christian Elementary ($2,243.45), Crofton Elementary ($1,865), Freedom Elementary ($1,828.39), Pembroke Elementary ($1,567.13), Christian County Middle School ($1,372.05), Hopkinsville High School ($1,336), Sinking Fork Elementary ($1,200) and Day Treatment staff ($125). Gateway Academy also contributed through culinary-themed fundraising efforts.
Private schools added another $13,525 to the total. Heritage Christian Academy led that group with $7,000, followed by University Heights Academy with $4,600 and Saints Peter and Paul School with $1,925.
Saints Peter and Paul School earned top honors for money raised per capita, a notable achievement for the smaller student body.
“Well that’s really exciting for us because we have a very small student body and so we were able to raise enough money to put us in first place in the private school category,” said Sherry Braden, Interact sponsor at Saints Peter and Paul.
Students at Saints Peter and Paul said their efforts went beyond fundraising, focusing on service projects throughout the year.
“Last year I served as president when we did our Divine Drops project,” said seventh grader Makenna Allen. “We did a lot of different things … we went to the animal shelter, we went to Joy Closet. We just served all around.”
Bentley Utley, a longtime Interact participant, said giving back has become a central part of the experience.
“Being able to raise this money, it feels good,” Utley said. “Last year they matched our fundraising, raising $15,000 for a school in Nigeria.”
In addition to fundraising, the Hopkinsville Rotary Foundation presented two grants during the evening. University Heights Academy received funding to purchase a wireless microphone system to support its music and theater programs, while Heritage Christian Academy was awarded a grant for a mobile Chromebook lab to expand classroom technology access.
University Heights Academy representatives spoke about the importance of community involvement in making those opportunities possible.
“I think it’s very important for us to do our part as a school and to give back especially for the students in Christian County,” said Tonya Oakley of UHA. “Anything we can do to support and help our community … it’s always important to be a good citizen, a good community member to help out and do your part especially for our youth.”
Students at UHA described a wide range of creative fundraising activities that contributed to their total.
“We did a number of things,” said sophomore Kylee Grace. “We had a staff-student basketball game, a Rotarian versus senior volleyball game that we do every year and some sales and dress-up days throughout the year.”
Club sponsor Ansley Grace said some events added a competitive twist.
“We had a pajama day every month where the students could pay and teachers could pay to wear pajamas on a Monday,” she said. “We did do a staff versus student basketball game … it went into double overtime and we had a student make a half-court shot at the last two seconds to win by one.”
Students also found simple ways to contribute.
“We also do spicy cracker sales,” said sophomore Presley Bruce. “It’s good for the students too. We pay such a little amount … and it goes to such a good cause.”
With another successful Education Night in the books, organizers and school leaders pointed to the continued impact of the Rotary Auction on local education, both through direct funding and through the sense of community it nurtures among students, educators and supporters.
