Chesterton Academy Of St. Mary’s Prepares Community For Mardi Gras Gala Fundraiser

HOLLYWOOD, Md. — Beads, brass and bidding paddles will fill the room when Chesterton Academy of St. Mary’s County hosts its 2026 Mardi Gras Gala on Friday, Feb. 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, combining festive celebration with a mission-driven fundraiser for the local nonprofit school.

The annual Mardi Gras Gala is one of the academy’s signature events, supporting its commitment to providing a rigorous classical education rooted in faith, reason and virtue. Guests will enjoy an evening featuring dinner, open bar, cigar bar, music, dancing and student presentations. Featured speaker Bishop Joseph Strickland will address guests during the evening, and a lively live auction will be led by a well-known husband-and-wife duo from the entertainment world.

The Chesterton Academy of St. Mary’s announced in a recent Facebook post that Austin Peck and Terri Conn will serve as live auctioneers, promising an energetic and entertaining experience. Peck is an actor, writer and producer best known for his starring roles on “Days of Our Lives” and “As the World Turns,” with additional credits including “Chicago Fire,” “CSI: NY” and “Law & Order: SVU.” In 2019, Peck converted to the Catholic faith, a turning point that continues to influence his creative work. His most recent project, “Discover Tradition,” was filmed during Semana Santa in Spain and highlights Catholic sacred culture around the world.

Conn began her acting career in 1997 on the teen comedy “Breaker High,” starring alongside Ryan Gosling. She later became widely recognized for her work on “As the World Turns” and “One Life to Live,” with additional prime-time credits including “Law & Order” and “30 Rock.” In 2018, she joined QVC as a program host, balancing a continued presence in entertainment with family life.

“Live auctions have never been so fun,” organizers said, thanking Peck and Conn as longtime friends and supporters of Chesterton Academy.

Chesterton Academy students will also take the floor during the gala with a swing dance performance, a showcase of the schoolwide dance program that makes student events a standout. You can watch them practice here on their recent Facebook post!

A highlight of the evening is the opportunity for supporters to make a direct impact through ticket purchases, sponsorships and program advertising. When buying online, guests are encouraged to select a specific student or team to support.

To assist first-time buyers, the academy has released a short instructional video demonstrating how to complete a purchase and select a student or team during checkout.

Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and ads are available now through the official event page at https://www.chestertonstmarys.org/2026-mardi-gras-gala.

Proceeds from the gala help sustain Chesterton Academy’s mission of forming joyful, thoughtful leaders through a time-tested classical curriculum and a close-knit school community. With festive flair, star-powered auctioneers and a meaningful cause, this year’s Mardi Gras Gala aims to be both unforgettable and impactful.

About Chesterton Academy

Chesterton Academy of St. Mary’s County offers a faithful and joyful Catholic education designed to form the whole person: mind, body and soul. The school immerses students in truth, goodness and beauty through a rigorous classical curriculum that emphasizes math, science, philosophy and theology, while giving equal weight to the arts, including drama, music, fine art and even swing dance.

Using the Socratic method, students are challenged to master material, think critically and communicate with confidence. The entire school community attends daily Mass, reinforcing a shared foundation of faith and virtue. As one of more than 90 member schools in the rapidly growing Chesterton Schools Network, the academy follows a proven model that prepares students not only for college, but for life, equipping them to lead with courage, character and clarity in today’s culture. An Oxford-style house system further strengthens community, cultivates leadership and encourages the daily practice of virtue.

Visit Chesterton St. Mary’s 2025 Gala website to view photos of last year’s Mardi Gras event.

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