Blending March Madness excitement with a passion for giving back, the Community Service Corps' annual spirited Mutt Madness bracket competition returned this spring for its eighth year, raising $1,084 for the Providence Animal Center.
The premise for the competition is simple: with a $10 donation to Providence Animal Center, Upper School students, faculty, and friends received a Mutt Madness bracket to predict the outcomes of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
"I think one of Mutt Madness' keys to success is its compelling recipient—who doesn't have a heart for shelter animals?" said Community Service Coordinator Becky Brinks. "It is a fun contest even if you aren't a basketball enthusiast, and a great opportunity for students to live the Stripe of Generosity. All proceeds benefit our community partner, Providence Animal Center, to support their efforts to provide rescue, care, adoption, and training of companion animals."
The competition was led this year by the enthusiastic and persistent student sales staff of Libby Flaisher '25, Ari Roth '26, Sophia Santinelli '26, and Sophia Venneri '26.
"I think the fundraiser ran very smoothly this year," Ari said. "The four of us worked together, along with Mrs. Brinks, to organize everything, including volunteering to sell brackets and trying to get as many people as possible to purchase them."
A highlight of this year’s event was an on-campus puppy visit hosted by Providence Animal Center on March 14. "The puppies definitely help sales and gather people," Ari explained. "I think it is helpful for people to see what their money is going towards, and it may give them more incentive to purchase a bracket."
This year, student leaders strategized for success around the new Upper School cell phone policy. "The new phone policy was definitely a bump in the road because more students use Venmo than carry cash," Ari said. "However, we were able to sell brackets in the morning before students had to hand in their phones, and we kept a running list of people who got a bracket and would Venmo after school when they got their phones back."
"I think this event is a success every year due to the hard-working marketing staff, and generous students and faculty members willing to donate to help support the animals," Sophia Santinelli said. "Overall, the number of participants and total funds raised met our goal, but we are grateful for the generous people in the EA community who went out of their way to donate and fill out a bracket to support Providence Animal Shelter."
This year’s Mutt Madness champion was Sophia Santinelli '26, whose bracket earned her a signed Eagles football from tight end Dallas Goedert and a signed replica jersey from wide receiver A.J. Brown, thanks to the generosity of the Hammond family. Upper School Math Teacher Tracy Motley placed second, and Ari Roth '26 took 3rd, both receiving Wawa gift cards.
“We are very fortunate to have the Hammond family support us with great Eagles prizes,” Mrs. Brinks said. “Having cute puppies come to visit is also a great added sales pitch.”
Sophia reflected on the deeper impact of the event: "One of the main reasons I am involved in the Community Service Corps is because I enjoy giving back to my local community and collaborating with my peers to help create opportunities for other members in the EA community to also give back."
Ari added, "I am on the Community Service Board because I think it is very important to help others. It is one of the fundamental parts of the community here, and it is very rewarding to be a part of something that can make an impact."