Excitement is running high at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School this week, as students, teachers, and families celebrate the success of this year’s annual fundraising marathon walk and celebration, held Friday, October 3.

The beloved tradition brings together the entire SEAS community, from preschool through eighth grade, in a spirited effort to support the school’s mission of “making Jesus Christ known and loved” through faith, academics, and service. The goal this year was ambitious, set at $33,000, and when the final total was announced, cheers filled the room. Did we meet our Marathon goal? Well, we surpassed it. The total collected reached an impressive $36,824.40, showing just how dedicated SEAS families and supporters truly are.

As one flyer reminded families, “100% of the money goes directly to the school and 100% of the money you turn in goes to your fundraising obligation. It’s a win-win!”

Walking, giving, and celebrating

The marathon isn’t just about walking, it’s about community. Each fall, SEAS students set out on a cheerful walk through Hastings, waving to neighbors and showing school pride. This year’s event began at 12:45 p.m. on the playground, where families gathered before the walk kicked off. Afterward, everyone headed to the school gym for a reception and prize drawings, including some impressive grand prizes donated by local businesses.

Prizes this year included a $100 Lego gift card and Lego container, a pair of Apple AirPods, a $100 Amazon gift card, and two Sports Fun Baskets filled with treats and tickets, one featuring passes to Grand Slam in Burnsville and the other with Sky Zone tickets for bouncing fun in Eagan.

Students were also entered into weekly drawings throughout the fundraiser based on how much they turned in. The incentive schedule stretched over several weeks in September and early October, rewarding effort and enthusiasm in equal measure. For every $25 raised, students earned raffle tickets, out-of-uniform passes, or bonus entries toward those big prizes. Some weeks were Double Ticket or Triple Ticket weeks, which kept the momentum rolling and the competition friendly.

The excitement extended beyond the students, too. Each class tracked their collective progress with colorful charts, and the top-performing class earned an ice cream party, courtesy of Dairy Queen. Local supporters pitched in as well, donating treats and prizes from Hastings Coborn’s, Walmart, Afton Apple Orchard, Grand Slam, Sky Zone, and Hastings Dairy Queen.

Families at the heart of the effort

Families play a central role in making the marathon successful. Every student received a packet with envelopes and information explaining how to collect donations. Parents could choose to send cash or checks, or simply have contributions deducted directly from their FACTS or TADS accounts, an option that made things easy and efficient for busy families.

Both the K–8 and preschool programs followed similar timelines, with packet distribution in mid-September and three official turn-in dates before the big day. For the youngest learners in preschool, marathon days were spread across October 2 and 3, ensuring that even the littlest walkers could take part in their own way.

Along with collecting donations, students were encouraged to include prayer requests for the people who supported them. Those prayer cards were displayed in the school’s hallways, reminding everyone that the marathon is about gratitude as much as fundraising. Each request represented a conversation, a connection, and a reminder of the school’s spiritual foundation.

A community effort from start to finish

The marathon is SEAS’s first major fundraiser of the school year, and it plays a big role in helping cover costs for programs and materials that directly benefit students. Because every dollar raised stays at the school, families know their efforts have a real impact.

When the walking was done and the prizes were drawn, there was plenty to celebrate. The school not only met its fundraising goal but exceeded it, with the final total of $36,824.40 ensuring that this year’s marathon will be remembered as one of the most successful yet.

The real payoff, though, goes beyond the numbers. It’s in the smiles, the laughter, and the shared sense of purpose that fills the air as students walk side by side, some with homemade signs, others with face paint, all proud to represent their school.

To celebrate the accomplishment, SEAS students will soon enjoy a well-earned bowling trip to Island Xtreme Bowl in Red Wing. “A huge thank you to The Hastings Catholic Education Foundation for covering the cost of transportation as a big ‘thank you’ for all your hard work collecting donations,” the school’s announcement read. “And also a big thank you to SEASPA for taking care of the bowling costs, so all you need to bring is your energy, your smiles, and maybe your lucky socks!”

If the past few weeks of excitement are any indication, the students of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton are ready to bring all three.