A Day Full of Magic: Mounties Dance for a Record Breaking Year

Raising over $116,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Mounties showcased their dedication and teamwork while continuing a legacy of support for medical research.

Chloe Trainer and Keira Doogan

March 3, 2025

Caroline Bladek

Revealing the amount raised for CHOP, The Magic-Thon Committee celebrates their dedication and hard work. From left: Ella Williams ‘25, Katie Lamb ‘25, Julia Farren ‘25, Delaney Wertz ‘25, Gianna Ricchetti ‘25, Sienna Noh ‘25, Summer Delli Carpini ‘25, Grace Daly ‘25, Abby Williams ‘25, Bianca Ricchetti ‘27, Keira Doogan ‘26, Grace Doyle ‘27, Kate Marsden ‘27, Julia McGlynn ‘27, Zoey Nguyen ‘27, Sammi Stoud ‘25, Erin Romano ‘27, Abby Porter ‘27, Lauren Olimpo ‘27, Kathryn Pedicino ‘27, Nina Kephart ‘26, Chloe Trainer ‘26, Nora Benamar ‘27, Charlotte Felix ‘27, Gracie Meehan ‘26, Sally Reilly ‘26, Zoey Gambone ‘26, Mia O’Brien ‘25, Lila Forti ‘25, Avery Lasky ‘26, Kaitlyn Cockerham ‘26, Alexa Durand ‘26, and Ava Downey ‘26.

Students at the Mount worked diligently to raise 116,387 dollars for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia during their 12th annual Magic-THON event on Feb. 13th, 2025.

While this event is amazing in itself, lots of work goes into it behind the scenes. For the 2025 Magic-THON seniors co-chairs Lila Forti and Mia O’Brien led the committee to success.

“Honestly it was a lot of stress…throughout the year leading up to it, so it was very rewarding to see all of it pay off… being able to break a new record for the amount of money we raised was so amazing,” O’Brien ‘25 said.

Senior Chairs Lila Forti and Mia O’Brien lead the event throughout the day.

Alongside these directors are junior Co-chairs Avery Lasky and Kaitlyn Cockerham who learned the ropes and gained experience in preparation for their leadership role next year. “I’m so excited to be able to share the opportunity to run Magic-THON with Kaitlyn Cockerham, we have such a close bond and this is such an amazing cause…” Lasky ‘26 said.

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Avery and Kaitlyn hug out of happiness after revealing the grand total.

Throughout the event, Mounties engaged in hour by hour activities including fun games like Minute to Win it. Senior Caroline Bladek participates in the exciting oreo eating challenge, Cookie Face, “It was a very thrilling experience… I was locked in ready to go and it was a great time and the energy was very exciting,” Bladek ‘25 said.

Throwing her hands in the air, Caroline celebrates her win in the Cookie Face Challenge.

In regard to raising awareness for CHOP, students, faculty, and alumnae shared their story and individual experiences with the hospital for majority of the event. Jenna Miller, spoke about her older sister, Joey Miller, and her experience with CHOP, “It was good to share…I like listening to other people speak, so it was fun,” Miller ‘26 said.

Jenna stands proud informing the large crowd of how important this fundraiser is.

Several students including junior Lizzy Organsky, who impulsively cut 10 inches off at the event, donated their hair to the Children with Hair Loss organization.

“…it was very last minute, I decided as I was sitting on the floor…I was going to cut my hair… I’m very happy I did it,” Organsky ‘26 said.

Lizzy waits patiently to see her new short hair being cut by, from left: Ms. Ana-Gabriela Bornancini, Shannon Shields ‘26, and Zoey Gambone ‘26. Kate Marsden ‘27 watches in excitement.

To entertain everyone and pass time, Ms. Maura Briscoe, a Mount guidance counselor and avid yoga instructor at Reya Barre & Yoga, led a mindfulness meditation class to remind students the importance of fundraising for CHOP.

“I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect… it was fun just to use yoga to be silly and have fun with you guys, and it was great,” Briscoe said.

Mounties follow Ms. Briscoe as they bend to the side holding their balance.

Towards the end of the event, during the ninth hour, the epic Rave takes place: when the lights go out, the glow sticks are thrown out, and the DJ plays the best songs. Many Mounties including sophomore Erin Romano look forward to this as their favorite part of the night.

“I love the rave hour!” Romano ‘27 said.

Glow sticks light up the gym during Hour 9 of the event, also known as, Rave Hour.

Many freshmen have never experienced an event like this before and it was an eye opening experience for some. Freshman, Caycee Snyderman, states her favorite parts of the night: “…hanging out with my friends and dancing.” Snyderman ‘28.

Walking through the golden streamers, from left freshman: Caycee, Maura Mcllhenny ‘28, Quinn Jordan ‘28 enjoy their first Magic-THON.

About the Contributors

Chloe Trainer, Staff Writer

Chloe Trainer is a junior at Mount Saint Joseph Academy. It is Chloe’s first year as a student in the Journalism Class and The Campanile as a Staff Writer. She is excited to get started! She is involved in field hockey and co-founded the Friends For Friends Club at the Mount. When Chloe is not writing for The Campanile, she is shopping, hanging out with her friends, or watching a Philly sports game. If Chloe could have lunch with any fictional character it would be Hannah Montana because she still listens to her music, even after outgrowing the show.

Keira Doogan, Staff Writer

Keira Doogan is currently a junior at the Mount who has recently discovered her appreciation and love for writing for The Campanile through her Journalism class. Keira focuses on a wide variety of topics including student life, sports, fashion, and current events. When she is not writing for The Campanile you can find Keira running DECA, writing for Sheaf, practicing on the tennis courts, and a multitude of other activities. If Keira could eat one food for the rest of her life it would be the vodka chicken parm from The Continental.