A dedicated and enthusiastic group of over three hundred Kennett High School students remained on their feet from 10 p.m. Friday, February 22, 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 worked tirelessly in pursuit of this year’s goal.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, student senior chairperson Jayna Bruno revealed the impressive fundraising total of $42,613 to incredibly tired but happy participants. And the donations continue to accrue.

Despite the fact that this is Kennett’s fourth year sponsoring a Mini-THON, enthusiasm is not waning. If fact, more students participated this year than in previous years.

Kennett’s seven corporate sponsors for this year’s event were Kennett Education Foundation, Sinton Air Conditioning and Heating, Austin and Bednash Construction, High Tech Auto Body, Chatham Financial, Energy Transfer Solutions, and The Perfect Impression. In addition, Kennett’s Mini-THON was supported by over thirty local businesses who donated food or money

Modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), Kennett High School’s Mini-THON featured eight hours packed with fun activities, music, and food, all with an outer space 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. Twenty-four Mini-THON Executive Student Committee Members are led by senior event chair Jayna Bruno and junior chair Ashley Willey. And joining these student leaders for the event were Kennett alums Michael Bellino and Meredith Mitchell and several teacher chaperones.

“I am so proud of the Kennett High School Mini-THON team, particularly my co-chair, Shawn Duffy, and this year’s student leaders Jayna Bruno and Ashley Willey. 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. “And I am truly overwhelmed by the continued generous support from our community,” she added.

Event chair Jayna Bruno said, “This year’s Mini-THON was unforgettable and one I was thrilled to be part of. Not only did we host an event with the greatest number of participants in our history, we were overwhelmed by the support of the Kennett community. Without the encouragement from the community, an organization like Mini-THON would never be as successful as it is and would not be able to help nearly as many families that are battling their worst nightmare: pediatric cancer.”

If you would still like to make a donation, please visit the Kennett High School Mini-THON website at khsminithon.org or call the school at 610-444-6617 for more information.

Kennett High School Presents: Seussical

Kennett High School will present its annual musical March 14 through 16. This year’s production of Seussical includes a cast of over fifty Kennett High School singers, actors, and dancers.

Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza. The show, written by Tony award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, lovingly brings to life everyone’s favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and Jojo, a little boy with a big imagination. These colorful characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The Cat in the Hat (Colin Petersen) tells the story of Horton (Ryan Myers), an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo (Justin McAndrew), a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird (Lilian Alba). Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz (Rachel Hyzny) never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are tested and emerge triumphant.

Filling out the cast of characters are Mrs. Mayor (Anna Brunke), Mr. Mayor (Daniel Battalora), the General (Evan Shinn), the Bird Girls (Allie Hodges, Catt Seamon, Cecelia Barron, Emma Giancola, Hanna Pirestani, Leah Wardwell, Maya Ranganath, and Rebecca Larimer), and the Wickersham Brothers (David Diokno, Jack Ryan, Peter Magasiny, Robert Rauscher, Tejis Ranganath, and Tim Freligh). Dance captain is Tamblyn Mitchell.

This year’s ensemble includes Alexandra Barron, Ashley Brown, Rhiannon Calp, Cheyenne Camacho, Avery Chapman, Dominique Diokno, Lily Ehren, Genna Eisel, Meredith Fay, Holly Gouge, Shannon Gouge, Marisol Gonzalez Flores, Nina Gralewski-Goel, Kaila Haenn, Sylvia He, Jess Johnson, David Lemper, Sydney Lillard, Andy Lucero, Charlotte Mowrey, Kara Murphy, Noah Schiller, Julia Snoke, Hadley Studer, Madison Thies, Sydney Williams, Josette Wynn, and Alvira Zilbershteyn

Audiences will be treated to familiar musical numbers such as “Green Eggs and Ham.”

Music director Guenevere Calabrese Finley and stage director/choreographer Cindy Albertini have worked together to create an experience that is truly fun for the whole family. Rachel Brunke and Vicki Petersen serve as the show’s costume coordinators, and Michael Anastas will manage the sound and lighting crew. Becca Calabrese will supervise the stage crew.

Show times are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 PM. There is also a Saturday matinee at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be reserved in advance (www.kcsd.org) or purchased at the door.