Middle School Students Rally For A Cancer Cure

Newtown Middle School students are poised for the talent show production Almost An American Idol to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

The talent show will take place at Newtown High School from 5 to 7 pm on Saturday, May 14.

Will Ryan, middle school social studies teacher, has rallied the support of faculty, students, and the community to sponsor students who are participating under the auspices of the Relay For Life fundraising event.

“We plan to get as many kids involved as possible, not only as acts in the show but also doing the lights, sound, and other aspects of the production,” Mr Ryan said. “There will be something between 15 and 25 acts in the two-hour show.”

Auditions will take place on Friday, April 1, from 2 to 5:30 pm in the middle school auditorium.

Each year the middle school holds talent shows, but this year the faculty and students decided to turn the May 14 event into a fundraiser to raise money for cancer research and services, because many students in the local schools have battled cancer, and several are currently undergoing treatment.

“We are trying to raise a lot of money,” Mr Ryan said. “We are hoping that each act will have a sponsor.”

Anyone who wants to be a volunteer or a sponsor should contact Will Ryan at ryanw@newtown.k12.ct.us, or Phil Cruz, middle school language arts teacher, at majpc@aol.com. Mr Cruz’s son, Andrew, is a cancer survivor. A Newtown High School graduate, he is currently a sophomore at Western Connecticut State University, where he is a chairman for Relay For Life.

Among the other middle school staff who helping to coordinate the planned event are guidance secretary Anna Wiedemann, technology education teacher Don Ramsey, and RoseAnn Beck, who teaches family consumer sciences and is in charge of food for the talent show

“But everyone is excited about the show,” Mr Ryan said. “Something like 20 to 30 teachers have volunteered to help. And I have received lots of emails from students at the high school who want to get involved.”

Tickets to the talent show will be $5 per person at the door. There is a special rate of $15 for a family of four or more.

Anyone who wants to make a contribution on behalf of the talent show can send a check to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton CT 06897-2523; and write “NMS Talent Show” in the memo line of the check.