Approximately 170 Kennett High School students stayed on their feet from 10 p.m. Friday, February 26, to 6 a.m. Saturday morning for their first annual Mini-THON. Mini-THONs are popular events to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund, which benefits pediatric cancer research and families whose children are battling the disease.
Hosted by the school Humanitarian Club, the first Kennett High School Mini-THON was a huge success. Organizers set a first-year fundraising goal of $5,000. Due to students’ hard work and the kindness of the Kennett community, however, they raised $16,644, more than tripling the goal amount.
Modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), Kennett High School’s Mini-THON featured eight hours packed with fun activities for participants. Students enjoyed Zumba, yoga, line dancing, basketball, dodgeball, floor hockey, and soccer. They were entertained by Kennett High School’s faculty band, Teacher Band, and two student bands, Californium and Seeking Asylum. Students danced to music selected by student DJs, battled each other in a lip-syncing contest, and raced scooters across the gym—all while taking regular breaks to feast on a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, quesadillas, pastas, fresh fruit and vegetables, and baked goods generously donated by local merchants.
Gemma Erickson, a Kennett High School junior, raised $1,100 and earned herself the top fundraising prize of a 55-inch flat-screen Smart TV.
When asked what motivated her to raise such an impressive total, Gemma said, “I wanted to help kids. Plus, members of my family have attended Penn State and some of my cousins have danced in THON, so it really meant something to me.” As for her prize TV? “The whole family is using it,” she said.
Faculty advisors for the event were Mrs. Lisa Teixeira, Kennett High School librarian and Humanitarian Club moderator; Mrs. Erin McDonnell-Jones, English teacher; and Mr. Tom Brientnall, social studies teacher. Both Mrs. McDonnell-Jones and Mr. Brientnall are Penn State graduates and former THON participants. Student organizers were led by senior Sean Connolly and junior Austin Maxwell, event co-chairs, along with seniors Zoe Livingston and Bridget Fox, Humanitarian Club co-presidents.
“The kids did an amazing job, especially for the first time organizing an event of this magnitude. They all demonstrated leadership, compassion, and cooperation,” said Mrs. Teixeira.
Kennett Consolidated School District extends our congratulations to everyone involved.
