Cookies and cakes. Gift cards and gift baskets. Christmas trees and ornaments. Footballs and helmets.
The Abington High School Junior Class Auction had something for everyone last night
One table had a tree made up of Lottery tickets. The “Blind Date With A Book” table had books wrapped in brown paper so buyers wouldn’t know which book they were getting. Dozens of raffle items lined the long corridor connecting the gymnasium to the cafeteria. Even more silent auction items filled tables beneath the high school’s all-academic team banners.
Guests could make bids on gifts from a number of local businesses including Sorelle, The Depot, Abington Ale House, and Dairy Queen, or a golf package from Strawberry Valley Golf Course, plus free registrations from the town’s soccer, softball, football, cheerleading, and flag football leagues, in addition to a number of pieces of sports memorabilia. More than 60 area businesses contributed to the event, according to organizers.
“It takes a lot of time and communication,” said Abington High School Junior Class President Mary Klein. Klein organized the event along with class Vice-President Cameron Testa, Secretary Kayden Lynch, and Treasurer Rylee DeMinico. Katrina Park and Susan Harrington serve as class advisors.
For years, the junior class has coordinated the annual auction as its major class fundraiser, which helps pay for the junior prom. Those stakes helped keep organizers motivated to make it as good as possible, Klein said.
“It’s definitely always in the back of your mind, that ‘It needs to be good because it’s going to the prom’,” she said.
Town Moderator Shawn Reilly served as auctioneer for the live auction, which featured a getaway weekend to North Conway, tickets to the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker, a 4K TV, and a framed display featuring autographs from baseball legends Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle.