Alumnae Serve as FEST Chairs

This year we will be celebrating the 44th annual MarianFEST on Feb. 6, 2026. FEST stands for Funding Excellence in the Servite Tradition. Held annually since 1982, FEST is a fundraising event that includes dinner, a silent auction and a live auction with proceeds supporting tuition assistance and operating expenses. It is an essential source of revenue for the Marian mission.

This year, two of the six executive chair couples are Marian alumnae: Katie Zach Witt '01 and Norah Swartz Morris '93.

Norah Swartz Morris '93 and daughters Frannie Morris' 27 and Margaret Morris '23 (upper left)

I am excited to help chair MarianFEST this year because Marian has meant a lot to my daughters and me. Marian has given each of us a place to grow more confident in who we are, so I am happy to be able to give back to Marian.  As a bonus, meeting and getting to know the other chairs and parent volunteers has been such an enjoyable experience and reminds me of what a great community Marian is.

Katie Zach Witt '01 and husband Andy with daughter Lucy Witt '29 and sons Peter and Samuel

When I was a student at Marian, I watched my parents chair FEST and dreamed of the day my own daughter would walk the same halls and I would have the chance to follow in my parents’ footsteps. Chairing FEST this year alongside my husband truly feels like a dream come true.

Supporting this event is more than honoring the incredible experience I had as a Marian girl; it’s about helping ensure that my daughter, Lucy, and all Marian girls continue to receive the exceptional Marian education for generations to come. As alumnae, whether we give, volunteer, or simply show up in support, we each play a part in sustaining Marian’s mission of forming strong young women of faith and compassion.

This year you can support the mission of FEST by donating to the underwriting of the event or helping to procure silent auction items for FEST.