VOLUNTEER AT ACE!
The Alumni Association of Thomas More Prep Marian is proud to sponsor the 52nd Annual Auction for Christian Education (ACE).
From the very first auction in 1975 to 2025, ACE has raised $14,552,846.91.
The Hays business community, TMP-Marian parents, alumni, and friends, along with the Capuchin Friars, Agnesian Sisters, and the Diocese of Salina, have worked together for many years to keep the dream of a Catholic educational option alive. Thanks to you, our alumni, and many others in the business and professional community, ACE remains a testament to your support and belief in our mission.
In recognition of our nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, we reflect on the values that have shaped both our country and our Catholic tradition—trust, optimism, service, and a commitment to forming future leaders. This year, we unite around an ambitious and meaningful goal: raising one million dollars to strengthen and expand Catholic education. Together, let us celebrate a quarter-millennium of American resilience while investing in the young people who will guide its next chapter.
THEME: “God Shed His GrACE on Thee” with our gracious ACE 2026 hosts: Curtis & Annette Hammeke and Travis & Pam Grizzell.
We invite all previous donors to favor us again with quality item(s) for the auction and ask new donors to be as generous as your situation permits. It takes a large variety of gifts to make this event a success. We are counting on your support to help Hays Catholic Schools. An early response will allow quick progress towards the success of ACE 2026. The Alumni Association Board thanks you in advance for your contributions and asks for continued prayers for the success of our auction. God Bless and GO MONARCHS!
SCHEDULE
Friday, April 24, 2026
9:00 a.m. Live Kick-off with Hays Area Chamber of Commerce & Online Auction Bidding Begins
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ACE Preview Party (Preview ticket required to enter)
9:00 p.m. Preview Party Raffle Drawing (Raffle tickets are sold exclusively at this event.
Two drawings for $500 are donated by:
Glassman Corporation
Mike '73 and Lori '74 Hertel family.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
**Advanced ticket purchase required
5:00 p.m. Social Hour
6:00 p.m. Dinner catered by Gella's Lb. Event Center of Downtown Hays
6:15 – 6:45 p.m. Online Auction Bidding Closes
7:00 p.m. Live Auction
10:00 p.m. Raffle Sales End
Raffle Drawings will be held at the conclusion of the live auction.
Tickets will be sold online only; the links will be LIVE on our website on
President’s Day, Monday, February 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
You will choose your table again this year! Price is $125 per person. If sitting with a group, you are encouraged to have one person purchase all the tickets.
MENU
APPETIZERS: BBQ Meatballs & Shrimp Cocktail
DINNER: Brisket, Marry Me Chicken on Rice, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, & Salad
DESSERT: Apple Crisp & Strawberry Shortcake
COFFEE & CINNAMON ROLLS PREPARED BY TMP-M KITCHEN
2025 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SE
DEEP BLACK PEARL - SUNROOF - 1,000 MILES
VALUED at $28,661
DONATED BY:
KAY & DICK WERTH / AUTO WORLD
$2,000 ENROLLMENT FEE VOUCHER for HFE/TMP-M families
DONATED BY:
ABC SEAMLESS
This voucher will be added to the family(families) of your choice and can be used for enrollment fees until it runs out. For example, if the family has only one student, only one enrollment fee will be deducted, and the remaining amount can be used in subsequent years. This is for ENROLLMENT FEES ONLY. It can be applied to students in Pre-K through 12th grade at HFE or TMP-M.
The item has no cash value.
2 - $5,000 CASH PRIZES
DONATED BY:
ERNEST ‘53 & JOAN HORINEK
ART & MAE WILKENS FAMILY - CHUCK, KENT, STEVE ‘81, TONY ‘82, BRENDA ‘84 & LISA
2 - $2,000 CASH PRIZES
DONATED BY:
THE LATE LINUS & BERNIECE WERTH FAMILY
JON ‘03 & SHANNON KINDERKNECHT - CALEB ‘31, CHLOE ‘33, CAMDEN ‘35, CLARA ‘38
5 - $1,000 CASH PRIZES
DONATED BY:
NEIL ’90 & ANN ’94 (BERENS) GOTTSCHALK
JOSHUA ‘97 & DAWN ‘97 BILLINGER RAJEWSKI
THE LATE LEROY & BERNICE HERRMAN FAMILY
JOE & VIRGINIA HESS
MATT & TYLER ‘07 WERTH / HAYS CAR & TRUCK ALIGNMENT
ITEM #160
The Leo J. & Albina Dreiling Trust is generously gifting matching funds of at least $300,000 for this year's Item #160: Al Billinger Fieldhouse Renovations. This year’s Item #160 is a transformative renovation of ABFH, converting the aging boiler into a modern HVAC system. This will bring air conditioning to the gym arena for the first time, along with replacing many of the facility’s original windows. Since 1951, the fieldhouse has been a cornerstone of Monarch life, echoing with the cheers, music, and memories of generations. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, this project stands as a fitting act of stewardship—honoring the legacy of those who came before us, serving today’s students with comfort and efficiency, and investing in the future of Hays Catholic Schools. We invite our alumni, families, and friends to prayerfully consider supporting Item #160, which will help ensure that Al Billinger Fieldhouse remains a vibrant, year-round home for competition, celebration, and community for decades to come.
2025 Virtual Tour of Al Billinger Fieldhouse
Donations received by 3/1/2026 will be recognized in ACE publications.
The 50/50 Society is the re-imagining of "Pennies for ACE."
New to the 2025 auction was the 50/50 Society. This was introduced to reimagine"Pennies for ACE,” which was coined by Fr. Earl ‘61 Befort, OFMCap. in 2014. For 11 years, this program was a real boost to the annual Auction for Christian Education, but with the ever-changing needs of the school and the push for sustainability, we came up with a new way to achieve both goals. Donors to the 50/50 Society are able to help in more ways than one; each donation of $2,500 or more has its donation split with half going towards the auction total (which goes right back to the school for its most immediate needs), and the other half towards a sustainability fund. This provides past Item #160 projects with funds to maintain and sustain projects into the future. Our 2025 50/50 Society yielded a total of $65,250! Help us grow the impact of the 50/50 Society at ACE 2026!
Donations received by 3/1/2026 will be recognized in ACE publications.