By Stephanie Creech Hackett
For The Cincinnati Enquirer

While for many March Madness means endless weeks of hoops, for plenty of parent volunteers it's madness of a different sort.

Working on a 12-month schedule, parent and staff volunteers from Greater Cincinnati schools solicit sponsorships and donations for their school auctions. From swanky resort properties to pedigree puppies, gourmet dinners to cooking classes, volunteers come up with it all.

Here are a few schools gearing up for their special versions of March Madness:

• St. Xavier High School in Finneytown will host its annual X-travaganza March 13 at the school. A "Sea Side X-perience" boasts auction items ranging from a day trip to Chicago on a private plane to a three-month lease on a BMW Z4 to a pedigree Labradoodle puppy.

Tickets: $230 per couple, $400 per sponsor, $800 per patron. Reservation deadline: March 5. Information: 761-7815, Ext. 113.

• St. Ursula Villa in Mount Lookout is gearing up for its March 6 event, "Livin' La Vida Villa," a Spanish-themed evening featuring an American Girl doll trip to Chicago for eight, a Bengals jersey signed by Rudi Johnson, and a "shift with the chef" at Maisonette as auction items.

The event will be at the Oasis in Loveland. Tickets: $50 per person. Reservations deadline: Feb. 20. Information: 871-7218, Ext. 118.

• Mercy Montessori Center in East Walnut Hills will host a "Spring Fling" to celebrate Mercy's 35th anniversary March 13 at the Phoenix, downtown.

Auction items will include an evening at the Wiener Dog Nationals with the family of Mercy Principal Patty Normile, a new look from a hairstylist and the opportunity to shadow chef Jean-Robert de Cavel in the kitchen of Jean-Robert at Pigall's.

Tickets: $30 per person, $650 for sponsor's table. Reservations deadline: March 1.

Information: 475-6775, Ext. 160.