Academic Support Auction
2010 Auction was"Off to the Races" Saturday, March 27, at Flat Iron Grill
The 2010 Academic Support Group Auction headed “Off to the Races” on March 27. The event, which started at 6:30 p.m. at the Flat Iron Grille, featured southern fare, live bluegrass, and entertainment by Soul Gravy. The annual auction is the main fund-raiser for the Academic Support Group, which uses its money to enhance the teaching environment at USJ.
“We wanted to add some new things to the auction this year,” says USJ alum Lindsey Homra Siroky, who chaired the event with fellow alum Abbie Crocker Allen. “This was fun event that encompassed the spirit of the Derby and raised money for our amazing school.”
As there is no racetrack quite like Churchill Downs, a weekend trip to the famous location was among one the items on the live auction block.
“We had a great live auction this year,” said Auction Chair Ginger English. “Besides the Churchill Downs package, there were luxury golf packages, Tennessee Titans tickets, trips, dinner parties, and jewelry galore. The fabulous silent auction included home accessories, clothing, and the popular teacher features!”
New to the auction was the Derby Diamond promotion in which participants spun a wheel to win one of several pieces of fine jewelry donated by Krasner Pawn and Jewelry.
Tickets to the event, which went on sale in February, were $60 each. “Off to the Races” patrons received two tickets and program recognition for $250. The $500 sponsorships included four auction tickets, four drink tickets, program recognition, and access to a VIP lounge area.
Sponsors of the event included Cox Construction Co.; Crocker Construction Co.; Donnie Hatcher Chevrolet Buick Pontiac GMC; Dyersburg Pediatric Dentistry; FMY Orthodontics; First South Bank; James R. Krenis, Attorney; Krasner Pawn and Jewelry; The Law Offices of George Morrison III; Oral Surgery Associates of West TN; Rainey, Kizer, Reviere and Bell, PLC; Southern Electric; and Trust Company Bank.
“We had a great committee that worked hard to get great auction items,” Allen said.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the USJ Academic Support Group in its efforts to enhance the educational opportunities provided by USJ.
Donate an item
Do you have a great item, party, or service that you wish to donate to the auction? If so, please contact Lindsay Siroky or Abby Allen and we'll happily accept your donation. All auction proceeds directly benefit USJ Academics.
Want to donate but you don't know what to share? Listed below are some ideas of past successful auction items:
• Home parties (theme, dinner, sports, ocassion)
• Lunches
• Special day trip packages
• Vacation packages
• Baskets (goods, theme)
• Gift certificates
• Services (business or personal; i.e. dental, medical, office, custom service)
• Art
• Goods (jewelry, decor, furniture)
• Tickets (sports, season, special game, symphony, theatre)
Class Projects
Each USJ class creates a "special project" to be auctioned.
Express Pay Check Out
Express Pay Check Out is a new way of fast check out offered at this year's auction for the first time! It's simple...
1. At the registration table, tell the registration volunteer that you wish to "EXPRESS PAY" and avoid the long line at the end of the night check out.
2. Give the registration volunteer a credit card to swipe.
3. Your card is swiped and you sign a receipt ($O).
4. You get a receipt and are ready to bid! Any winning amounts will be posted to your card. If you do not have any winning bids, NOTHING is posted to your account.
5. At the end of the night, simply get your FINAL receipt and leave! No need to go to the cashier! Just pick up any winning items and you're free to go home. No more waiting.
Why Should I use EXPRESS PAY?
Express Pay is a quick and easy method of payment that allows you to bypass the long line at the cashier at the end of the night. It's safe, secure, and numbers are used internally only. Transactions are wired to our merchant account and bank just as in retail shopping.
More Express Pay Questions
Is the swipe terminal secure?
YES! The terminal is used internally for USJ ASG accounting. Transactions are wired directly to our merchant account and bank.
What credit cards are accepted?
Master Card or Visa
Will my card be charged if I don't have any winning bids?
NO. If you have not bought anything, you will not be charged. Just like retail.
Is the swipe terminal secure?
YES! The terminal is used internally for USJ ASG accounting. Transactions are wired directly to the bank.
If I'm using a credit card, do I have to Express Pay?
No. You can pay with a credit card at the swipe terminal at the cashier at the end of the night. BUT...if you want to avoid the cashier line, use EXPRESS PAY!
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Because of You video
Because of your donations and participation in the Academic Support Group, we are able to provide many academic extras for our teachers and staff. Our video explains how your donations are used. If you missed our video at the Academic Auction, you can view it online with this link.
This video requires Windows Media Player. If you do not have it, you can download the software for PC or Mac at windowsmedia.com/download .
Academic Auction 2009 —
A textbook case of fun
Much of the proceeds from the 2009 USJ Academic Support Group Auction last spring wound up in the hands of students when they returned to school this fall. Nearly half of the more than $65,000 raised by the auction went to purchase new textbooks needed throughout the school.
The annual Academic Auction raises money to fund extra academic needs for our teachers and staff, said Ginka Poole, Academic Support Group treasurer. “The auction is the ASG’s main fundraiser each year. It is a fun night that so greatly benefits our teachers and students by allowing the ASG funds to enhance the teaching environment beyond what tuition covers.”
Money raised at the 2009 auction also allowed the Lower School library to open on Wednesdays this past summer and continued to pay for an online resource subscription used by faculty and students through the Upper/Middle school library.
College-bound students and their families can take advantage of Naviance, the new internet-based college admissions research tool purchased by the Academic Support Group for the school’s College Advising Office. Naviance allows students, parents, and the College Advising team to research colleges, analyze college admission statistics, view test scores, build and edit “college lists,” create and view resumes, track interests, and communicate with college officials.
“The success of the Academic Auction provides important support for academic programs and materials,” says Clay Lilienstern, Head of School.
Other Past Successes
The 2008 Academic Auction raised $128,000, while the 2007 Academic Auction raised more than $80,000! This was accomplished by generous parents, teachers, contributions from local businesses, and fantastic Auction Committees. They worked extremely hard and deserve many thanks.
Proceeds from the Auction go directly to support our teachers and administration. We are extremely pleased with the amount of money we are able to give back to our school; the teachers count on ASG to help with the items that are not in the budget.
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