Behind The Scenes: H-K High School Telethon

There is a buzz at Haddam-Killingworth High School this week, as students and staff make their final preparations for the 22nd annual Holiday Show telethon, set for Dec. 23. As students finish editing video clips, the event coordinator - "master of the show" if you will - H-K's Video Digital Communications teacher, Chuck Lewis, is inundated with last minute questions about equipment, schedules and other details.

"There are over 90 students involved in the show, but that is only the start," says Lewis. "Over half of the student body participates in one way or another. It is something everyone in the school supports, including teachers, administrators, other staff as well as community volunteers. It brings everyone together," he continued.

The show is a mix of live and taped segments. An introductory statement from News Channel 8 anchor Ann Nyberg, as well as other members of the New Haven television station, speaks to the quality production you can expect from the telethon.

Guest speakers include Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan, as well as First Selectwoman Catherine Iino of Killingworth and First Selectman Paul DeStefano of Haddam. A "Tribute to the Troops" taped segment is planned in honor of the twenty New Englanders' who died while serving our country since October.

One of the show's featured events is a competition among five of H-K's young men, who will be outfitted in tuxedos, entertaining the audience by singing and answering questions. Faculty judges will choose a winner who will be crowned, "Mr. H-K." The winner also receives two tickets to the prom.

"It's all in good fun," says Lewis. "The guys have a good time with it and it has become a highlight of the show."

H-K student Bailey Cornell, who is an on-screen host as well as a technical director for the event, was extremely positive about her involvement. "It's great to see what an impact this makes in our community. I always have such a great time doing this and this year, meeting Finley, makes it that much more meaningful to me," she said. 

The show includes many performances by talented H-K students - all of whom had to audition before being selected by a committee to be part of the evening's entertainment.

As in previous years, the telethon will raise money and awareness of a cause chosen by Lewis and his student committee. This year that cause is near and dear to RSD 17 - "Finley's Fighters." Four-year old Finley Pletcher, the daughter of Matthew and Jennifer Pletcher, a school nurse at Haddam Elementary, has a rare genetic eye disorder called Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). The disorder has caused Finley to lose 90-percent of her vision.

Only 83 people in the United States are known to suffer the LCA caused by a mutation in the RDH12 gene. But, while there is currently no effective treatment against the disorder, there is hope. Genetic therapy has shown to be effective with another form of LCA and there is reason to believe that while it may not cure Finley it may be effective in stopping the progression of the disorder.

The Pletchers have raised over $15,000, a small figure when you calculate the cost of treatment.

"This community is so generous. I am always amazed at how many people turn out and contribute to this event. This year is no different," Lewis said about the upcoming telethon, adding "I can already tell that we will surpass the amount we raised last year and that will make a big difference to Finley's Fighters."

Lewis says because the cause is so closely connected to a individual within the community the fundraising has taken off.

"I introduced the idea of raising funds on behalf of Finley at a recent H-K High School/Middle School choral event and raised over $1,000 in a spontaneous 'pass-the-hat' collection." Lewis went on to say that "one family who [was] headed out to dinner donated their restaurant money to Finely's cause instead," a generosity that clearly impressed him.

Phone lines will be open and manned by students and other volunteers during the telethon. In addition to raising money on air, there are prizes and give-a-ways that will be drawn from among the many who have already sent in donations.

"We are lucky to have a lot of local businesses who donate gifts and prizes that are given away during the course of the telethon," says Lewis. "We have already received a number of wonderful donations and anticipate that it will triple within this next week."

H-K office staff members help keep tabs on the  donations. All schools in RSD 17 take part in the show, as well as plan additional fundraising efforts. 

For more information on Finley's Fighters, click here.