Char O'Neil is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Paradise Valley High School for AZPreps365.com.

Through Paradise Valley’s Trojan Treasures Silent Auction, the school raised over $10,000 for the enrichment of both academic and athletic programs. 

The Trojan Treasures is the largest auction held by their Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The auction raises funds through the booster club donations in the form of items or experiences. This year the auction was open from Oct. 29, 2024, to Nov. 6, 2024. 

This year's Trojan Treasures Auction Chairperson was Angela Escobedo. Escobedo’s duties consisted of learning how to use a new platform to host the auction, coordinating with booster clubs and staff, and uploading the items donated. Following the auction, Escobedo is now responsible for organizing the distribution of winning items.

The planning process for the auction begins months prior to the event and contains countless hours of work, enthusiastic staff, and support from the community. The planning process begins with searching for donations within the community.

“Months prior to the event, students and volunteers are reaching out to local businesses and members of the community asking for donations,” Escobedo said. “Families of booster clubs will also donate items for the auction as well as their time, putting baskets together. This is a very time-consuming process. Photos of the items, descriptions, values, and starting bids are some of the tasks that are involved in the preparation process.”

In both the 2023 and 2024 auctions, the PTO exceeded their $10,000 goal. In 2023, the PTO had a record-breaking year for the auction, raising over $16,000. This fall, the PTO raised right at $16,000. 

Similarly to last year, there were over 200 items donated to the fundraiser, and 15 booster clubs donated. This year's donations consisted of gift cards to local restaurants, toys, home decor, alcohol, hotel stays, a refrigerator, and Sun’s Suite tickets. The fundraiser is able to receive so many donations through the advertisements the PTO runs. The fundraiser is advertised through social media, school emails, and word of mouth.

Paradise Valley parent Marc Dembowski has dedicated many years to volunteering in the district and has seen how influential the Trojan Treasures auction is for academic and athletic programs.

The patent booster club partners with coaches to decide how a team spends their funds. Dembowski has seen each program use their funds for different purposes, like new equipment or clothing. 

“Funds can be used for several things,” Dembowski said. “Volleyball uses it to buy more equipment for practice. Soccer uses to buy new gear like warmups, sweatshirts for when it is cold outside at night during the winter season, and new soccer bags.”

Similarly to Dembowski, Escobedo has seen funds used toward new equipment, along with classroom supplies and class field trips.

Paradise Valley volleyball booster President Kristilee O’Connell shared that the volleyball team is primarily using their funds toward purchasing new equipment. 

“The money raised has been spent on a variety of areas,” O’Connell said. “Coach requested equipment; a girl needed equipment like court shoes, knee pads, spandex, practice shirts, etc.”

O’Connell believes the fundraiser is beneficial to the volleyball program, and she is proud to assist them. 

“Utilizing effective, profitable fundraising benefits the girls and their families by being able to support the program with equipment needs, scholarship needs, meals, and so much more,” O’Connell said. “We are proud to be able to put every dollar raised back into the program, essentially benefiting the girls.”

To maximize all the students benefiting from the fundraiser, Dembowski has seen athletic programs use mixed uniforms and gear, which allows for funds to be provided for other students.

“Some programs have mixed uniforms and warmup gear,” Dembowski said. “This allows for teams to buy more to ensure teams have everything they need for equity purposes. It also provides funds for the booster club to support those students on free and reduced lunch and scholarship them with items they might need. For example, buying new shoes or cleats or paying for the banquet for their family. Fundraisers like this help ensure there is money to help our players in need.”

Fundraising at Paradise Valley ensures all students have access to the resources they need, and Dembowski believes a vital part of fundraising is parental involvement.

“As parents, we play a vital role in the fundraising for the program,” Dembowski said. “Not only do the funds go to necessary equipment each year and uniforms, but they also go back to the players based on need. We have several players on the team that are on scholarship. The more money that we can raise, the more support we can provide.”