The gloomy weather outdoors on Saturday, April 5, was eclipsed by the brightness and warmth radiating from the inside of the Lawrenceburg Event Center during Let There Be Light: Fiat Classical Academy’s Inaugural Gala Encounter with Beauty, Truth and Goodness.
Three hundred guests packed the Rivers Ballroom to celebrate Fiat’s first year and to come together in support of the area’s newest Catholic high school.
As guests arrived, they were invited to learn more about Fiat through various stations set up along the hallway. Meanwhile, the cash bar was hopping as guests grabbed a drink while catching up with old friends or being introduced to new acquaintances.
Mr. Adam Iadipaolo, Headmaster of Fiat Classical Academy, was joined by students at the front of the ballroom to begin the evening with prayer. As the school community gathers at noon each day to pray the Angelus, Mr. Iadipaolo invited guests to join this tradition at 6 pm.
Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and delightful conversation. Each table included student artwork to ponder, along with fresh flowers arranged by a Fiat mom and beautifully hand-decorated cookies provided by another Fiat mom.
Miss Clare Wilson, Fiat’s history and music teacher, served as mistress of ceremonies for the evening. She first introduced Fr. Hollowell, pastor in solidum of the Dearborn County Catholic parishes and a member of Fiat’s board. Fr. Hollowell highlighted some of Fiat’s most unique elements, including combatting relativism with an emphasis on truth and prioritizing a low-tech environment for the good of students and faculty. He also pondered that the world was transformed by Christianity with only 13 or 14 Apostles at first (including St. Matthias and St. Paul). Likewise, how might God transform culture through Fiat’s 13 current students?
Fr. Hollowell also explained concrete giving opportunities for the coming year and announced an exciting matching gift of $20,500 for gifts of $900 ($75/month) or more.
Fiat students sang two pieces under the direction of Miss Wilson.
Next, Mr. Brad Macke, Head of Mission, addressed the crowd. He recalled many of the blessings of the first academic year through various anecdotes, bringing Fiat alive for guests. He also announced the 2025-2026 faculty, 10 new students accepted for the upcoming year, and continued growth through adding extracurriculars.
A video about Fiat, created by Michael Romero from Heroic Strategies, premiered.
Guests were then treated to three powerful testimonies. Tom and Marybeth Carnes shared the transformation they’ve seen in their daughter since she began attending Fiat. Colette Weber, a sophomore at Fiat, explained how this school is unlike any Catholic school or homeschool experience she has ever had. Finally, veteran St. Mary’s teacher Mr. Jim Waldon shared that Fiat has become a dream come true in letting Catholic education thrive in St. Mary’s school building once again. He urged guests to sacrificially support Fiat, as he has done and continues to do.
Jimmy Mitchell took the stage as the keynote speaker. His joyful enthusiasm about the power of beauty to transform the world was heartfelt.
Finally, Fr. Hollowell took the stage once again to make the final appeal to support Fiat Classical Academy.
And support you did! We were blown away to receive $162,092 during the evening of the Gala. Along with pre-Gala gifts and the matching gift, our approximate net proceeds so far are $185,000! Your generosity is astounding.
It’s not too late to join in support of Fiat. We need to fundraise a total of $279,000 toward the 2025-2026 academic year. Wouldn’t it be incredible to surpass $200,000 before August begins? More information about giving opportunities is available here: Let There Be Light: Fiat Classical Academy Gala 2025 | Fiat Classical Academy (Powered by Donorbox).
We hope you can join us for Let There Be Light in 2026!
