Approximately 300 Kennett High School students will remain on their feet from 8 p.m. Friday, February 24, to 6 a.m. on Saturday morning for Mini-THON, an event to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund to benefit pediatric cancer research and families whose children are battling the disease. Through a variety of events, raffles, generous corporate contributions, and donations, students have already raised an impressive $25,000 toward the second-year fundraising goal of $65,000.

Modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), Kennett High School’s Mini-THON features ten hours packed with fun activities, music, and food for participants.

Faculty advisors for the event are Mr. Tom Brientnall, social studies teacher; Ms. Lisa Teixeira, KHS librarian and Humanitarian Club moderator; and Mrs. Erin McDonnell-Jones, English teacher. Both Mrs. McDonnell-Jones and Mr. Brientnall are Penn State graduates and former THON participants. Student organizers are led by senior event chair Austin Maxwell, along with junior co-chairs Erin Duffy and Anna Wilson, and Humanitarian Club seniors Molly Adelman, Michael Bellino, and Jackie Tucker.

This year, a community open house has been added to the evening’s schedule. For a $5 donation, members of the Kennett community are invited to Reynolds Gymnasium from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, February 24, for a sneak peek at the Mini-THON event. Faculty and student organizers are excited to welcome everyone to share in the fun and support a very worthy cause.

Event chair Austin Maxwell said, “Cancer kills more children in the US than any other disease. And, only 4% of cancer research dollars go toward the study of childhood cancers. So, here at Kennett, we’re teaming up to help families with children battling the disease, and we’d love the support of the entire Kennett community in our fight.”

If you cannot attend the Mini-THON community open house but would still like to make a donation, please visit the KHS Mini-THON website at khsminithon.org or call the school at 610-444-6617 for more information.

Congratulations to Kennett High School senior Samantha Weaver for being named Student of the Quarter for the second marking period in the Allied Health Science Technology program at the Technical College High School Brandywine campus.