Joy Farone works in the St. Rose Catholic School cafeteria to be closer to her grandchildren, Danny, Nicky and Cate Farone. (Photo submitted)

The support of St. Rose of Lima School grandparents can be found across the school and throughout the calendar year.

Whether cheering sports teams, attending schoolwide mass or volunteering in academic settings, the St. Rose staff treasures the vast contributions and talents of the past generation.

Those grandparents will be the guests of honor at the 2012 St. Rose Starry, Starry Night auction, which takes place Saturday, Oct. 13, at the James Union Building at Middle Tennessee State University.

The school’s biggest fundraiser of the year is launched in honor of the commitment and dedication of the St. Rose grandparents to the school.

Amy Collier, Starry Night event chairwoman, said the enthusiasm and devotion of the St. Rose grandparents is a vital piece of the school’s success.

“Our St. Rose grandparents are so unique,” she said. “They give us guidance, support and encouragement to send our children to a school as unique as they are.”

Just ask any St. Rose student about “Grandma Joy” and they light-up.

Joy Farone, a grandmother to three St. Rose students and one alum, works daily in the cafeteria to be closer to her grandchildren, Cate, Danny, and Nicky Farone.

Farone said she loves the family atmosphere of St. Rose and is grateful for the opportunity given her grandchildren, “to learn in an environment where people truly care about them.”

Farone said she looks forward to Friday mornings best, “when all the school children are together in mass. I love to hear them all sing together."

Like Farone, William and Catherine Wilson are grandparents to four active students – Shelby and Zachary Parton, Gatlin and Emily Collier, two alum, and parents to St. Rose kindergarten teacher, Rebecca Parton.

They dearly value the St. Rose education and point to the well-roundedness of the students in a faith-based atmosphere as a major advantage.

“We have seen them grow spiritually, educationally and socially,” Wilson said. “From active hands-on involvement in mass to appreciation for music and the arts, we believe St. Rose has offered an exceptional atmosphere for individual growth and learning.”

To honor the seniors and grandparents working and serving in their midst, St. Rose students plan and coordinate First Fridays, a special breakfast for all seniors and grandparents in the parish.

“It shows that we are all really part of the same family,” Farone said.

The sold out 2012 Starry, Starry Night auction will serve as a testament as well.