EPHRATA - Gail Michael carried a list of items she was bidding on as she moved around the tables at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Saturday.

Michael's involvement with the school started in the 1970s when her children attended. They are now grown. Now a friend of the school, she attends the annual auction regularly.

"I think that St. Rose school is very special," she said. "It's a gem in our community. It's a place where children can learn about God-centered education different than the public schools, and the involvement of the parents is phenomenal."

The involvement of the students at the auction was displayed throughout the event. Drawings of various clowns, animals and other circus-themed items hung on the wall. On the front door of the school, a painting of an elephant and giraffe greeted attendees.

Natalie Claussen, the auction chairperson, said a community of people, including students and parents, contribute to making the event successful.

"Every classroom also contributes an art project to the auction. Those are in the live auction every year, and they are some of the most sought after items in the live auction. Bidding gets pretty heated on those sometimes. It's pretty special to be able to buy something that your kid's hand print is on, or we have some quilts this year where the kids did drawings," she said.

The organization decided on the circus theme after a couple years of more elegant themes, she said. The event incorporated a big top made of streamers in the school's gymnasium along with a smaller big top in the entryway, Claussen said. A sign reading "Circus" was painted about the entrance along with the elephant and giraffe, which were created by students.

"We did an art contest last spring, and our students all submitted artwork in an auction theme," she said. "We did an online voting process, and we selected two top winners out of those, and we used their artwork on our invitations as well as painted on the front windows of the door when you come in."

The money raised at the event goes toward the Parent-Teacher Organization's goal of raising $100,000 to keep tuition affordable, Claussen said. If the organization didn't participate in fundraising, the tuition would be much higher.

"This is our largest fundraiser of the year," she said. "All of our fundraising money goes toward the direct operating costs of the school, so it goes toward salaries, maintenance, everything that goes toward the school families contribute."

The event drew former St. Rose teacher Carol Lundeen back to the school. She worked at the school for about three years before retiring and continues to substitute.

"It's always an exciting evening. It's like a reunion. I see the teachers I used to teach with and the parents, and I love to see the class projects," she said. "They're always so amazing, the creativity that goes into the class projects, and I just might find something really wonderful to purchase."

Lundeen enjoys watching the children she used to teach progress through the school, she said. Her belief in the importance of Catholic education contributed to her desire to support the school.

"I believe in teaching the whole child. I believe in the small class sizes. I believe in the discipline policy that is in effect here, and I love being able to teach about God in the classroom," she said.

As the silent auction ended, Joseph Tyson, the bishop of the Yakima diocese, spoke to the crowd of at least 250 people in the school's gymnasium shortly before the live auction started.

"Every child who wants a Catholic education should have one regardless of ability to pay," he said. "We've got a great future here at St. Rose of Lima and you have a fabulous team."