Every year in the Diocese of Allentown, our elementary and high schools participate in the “Make a Joyful Noise” fundraising campaign. The campaign provides a creative opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to faithfully express their love of Catholic education and invites others into partnership with the mission and vision of the schools by providing a monetary donation.
During the 2025-26 academic year, 26 schools participated in the campaign, which kicked off at the start of Catholic Schools Week in January. Together, the participating schools and their communities raised $171,000 in four weeks for our diocesan Catholic schools.
A ceremony celebrating the fundraising efforts and artistic creativity of the videos from each school was held April 13 at the Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown.
“The Church says that whenever we do anything that’s creative, it’s actually a participation in the creative nature of God,” said Superintendent of Catholic Education Dr. Michael St. Pierre in his welcoming remarks.
“You are stepping into a river of the things that God is already doing [by being creative]. So I just commend you for the work you put into ‘Make a Joyful Noise’ and all the other things that you do every day to make your school so spectacular.”
The top three “Maestro” winners of the “Make a Joyful Noise” campaign for the best fundraisers were:
- Maestro Gold Award: Good Shepherd Catholic School, Northampton.
- Maestro Silver Award: Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville.
- Maestro Bronze Award: Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl.
The Crescendo Awards recognized the newest participants in the campaign who inspired the greatest number of benefactors:
- Crescendo Gold Award: St. Elizabeth Regional School, Whitehall.
- Crescendo Silver Award: Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown.
- Crescendo Bronze Award: Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Many other awards were given for creativity and joyful expressions of the fruit of each school’s work.
After the ceremony, Good Shepherd Catholic School sixth grader Oliver Tripaldi shared how he enjoyed taking part in the creation of the video because he makes videos at home and was able to bring his skills into the classroom.
Michael Giordano, an eighth grader at St. Elizabeth Regional School, shared the same sentiment and said he enjoyed how “so many students pitched in through editing and filming” their school video.
Special thanks were given to Valerie Versmee, Director of School Development for the Diocese, who organized the campaign.
The Office of Education for the Diocese of Allentown has partnered with the Da Vinci Science Center in its District Connect Membership Program, which gives each family 15% off membership and other perks. To find out more, go to the Da Vinci Science Center website.
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord in gladness; come before him with joyful song” (Psalm 100:1-2).
Photos by Ed Koskey. Header image by Luke Hodrick.
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