Madison Bsales is an ASU Cronkite Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona Lutheran for AZPreps.365.com

Arizona Lutheran is preparing to host its 15th annual gala, featuring a retro game show theme in the school's gymnasium.

Each year, ALA hosts a themed gala on March 28 from 5 to 9 p.m., where students, staff, and families come together to raise money for the school.

ALA’s gala includes a silent live auction, dinner, and a retro game show. This year, in preparation, ALA is requesting monetary, gift, auction, and dessert donations. 

This gala is possible because of the events coordinator, Jen Bode, and her volunteers. “We have a team of 11 volunteers and staff members on our 'Gala planning team' who are leading the charge,” Bode said. We started planning for this year's Gala back in May of 2025, choosing our theme of ‘Game Show Gala.’

Ben Priebe, the Director of Mission Advancement, has been working with Bode to plan the event. 

“We're attempting to get to $100,000 in fundraising through this event for three campus improvement projects,” Priebe said. “The first one is going to be that we need to put a fresh coat of paint on all of our exterior buildings. ... The second major project we're funding through the gala is a brand-new 16-foot marquee sign. ... The third and final project is improving our campus branding and bringing in some new signage as well.”

The gala will feature a student competition, and prizes are awarded to the winning class. Any student from freshman through senior classes can participate in the competition to raise the most money.

“Every day on campus, we can see the evidence all around us—from the digital marquee at the entrance to new bleachers in the gym, to upgraded locker rooms, to new transport vans, down to helping fund our five brand new classrooms, and more from many years back,” gala planning team member Margy Hartzell said. “We look forward to the 2026 Game Show Gala blessing our campus with additional external upgrades to the buildings and showing off our new Arizona Lutheran Academy branding.”

The gala has always been a significant success, and the students love watching their campus flourish thanks to all the donations. 

Each year, ALA receives donations from Amazon wishlists, fellow employers, and local businesses, including restaurants, nail salons, and art studios. 

“​​We exceeded our goal in 2025 and set a new record,” Bode said. God's people gave $257,000 at the 2025 Gala to support ALA's mission.”

Every penny is counted for these students, and it is so rewarding to watch the ALA community come together for a great cause. Tickets are available online and are $65 per person.

“This year, the game show theme is going to be way more casual, and we have some great items to bid on both in the silent auction and in the live auction. We have table games that mimic some of the game shows that have been developed as classics over the years, like Wheel of Fortune, Name That Tune, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire... It should be a great night, a fun fellowship fundraiser, and we're looking forward to it.