A dedicated and enthusiastic group of over two hundred KHS students will remain on their feet from 8 p.m. Friday, February 23, 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, donations, and the Wizards basketball game, students have already raised thousands of dollars in pursuit of this year’s goal.
Kennett High School Mini-THON logo
Modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), Kennett High School’s Mini-THON features ten hours packed with fun activities, music, and food. Participants this year will be treated to a luau theme.
Faculty advisors for the event are Lisa Teixeira, KHS librarian and Humanitarian Club moderator, and Shawn Duffy, social studies teacher and Humanitarian Club assistant moderator. Student organizers are led by senior event co-chairs Erin Duffy and Anna Wilson, along with junior chair Jayna Bruno, and committee chairs M.J. Patterson, Allie Taylor, Tyler Bowdoin, Abby Davidson, Ashton Albert, Will Michael, and Ryley Harris and returning alumnus Michael Bellino.
“I am so proud of the KHS Mini-THON team, particularly my co-chair, Shawn Duffy, and this year’s student leaders, Erin Duffy, Anna Wilson, and Jayna Bruno. They are the most dedicated and selfless individuals and have clearly identified a future-forward vision for our Mini-THON. Our group seeks to not only raise money for Four Diamonds but to provide the community, in and out of school, with a framework for unity, inclusiveness, and fun,” said Ms. Teixeira.
New Garden Elementary student Grayson Savery and his mother, Mrs. Jaclyn Savery, speaking at the Kennett High School Mini-THON rally on January 26.
Again this year, a community open house will kick off the evening’s schedule. For a recommended donation of $5 per family, members of the Kennett community are invited to Reynolds Gymnasium from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 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 co-chair Erin Duffy said, “Mini-THONs empower high school students to organize their communities in the fight against childhood cancer – a difficult and daunting task. However, passionate members of the Kennett community have shouldered our cause with us, and they have been my examples of the ideals of leadership, citizenship, and service.”
Co-chair Anna Wilson added, “Every step of the way, we have one thought in our minds — the children. Throughout this process of planning, organizing, and fundraising for our Mini-THON, we have done all that we can to improve the lives of children battling cancer, especially those fighting cancer within our o
