Last week, the Gwynedd Mercy school community celebrated the annual tradition of the George Valentine Raffle. Named after the holidays of Valentine’s Day and President’s Day (George Washington), this Gwynedd tradition was both a fun week full of the Mercy spirit as well as a beneficial event to support the focus on nonviolence, the Critical Concern of the Sisters of Mercy that the school is focusing on throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. The funds raised by Ministry and Service will be donated to the Mercy Focus on Haiti, the Mercy Girl Effect, and the Nonviolent Peace Force organizations, and our Gwynedd community successfully raised a grand total of $2,310! All baskets were generously donated by students, faculty, and staff, and included a beautiful beach basket from Homeroom 5, a “School Supplies Surprise!” basket from a sophomore friend group, a set of stationary painted by Ms. Naucodie herself, freshly baked desserts, a pizza party in President Marbach’s office, a tour of the Mercy convent with Sister Patti, and so much more. Gwynedd girls eagerly entered their names in for the drawings, and on Thursday, February 16^th, the entire student body gathered in the Performing Arts Center for the George Valentine Raffle assembly. The PAC was decorated festively in pink, white, and red with balloons, hearts, and streamers. The leaders of the Spirit Club and the Ministry and Service team led this school-wide presentation, hyping everyone up with a hilarious skit of Cupid (Audrey Beck ’23) helping a lonely heart named “Red” (Lilly Sweeney ’23) look for love and find a boy named George (Scarlett St. Clair ’23). When George asked Red to be his Valentine, the George Valentine Raffle officially began. A total of 36 prizes were won by both students and teachers, with Minute to Win It challenges happening between the drawings of tickets. These challenges included various silly games, one of them involving girls pushing yams and potatoes across the stage with their noses. The cheering and excitement brought forth from the assembly truly showcased the Gwynedd spirit, and this year’s George Valentine Raffle was an absolute hit! Thank you Mr. Fromhold and our Ministry and Service team for another wonderful George Valentine Raffle!