It’s a show that no one should miss. Huntington High School’s Key Club chapter is sponsoring its annual K-Factor talent show on Friday night at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The acts slated to appear on stage are sure to entertain the crowd.
K-Factor began seven years ago to support Huntington Class of 2009 alum Kaila Harlan during her battle with leukemia. A Key Club member throughout high school, Mr. Harlan passed away that same August, but the show has continued annually in her honor.
This year’s K-Factor will be dedicated to an individual currently engaged in a fight against leukemia and a Blue Devil who passed away this past January after a long heroic struggle.
Huntington English teacher Aimee Antorino’s young daughter continues her fight to overcome a disease that still claims far too many lives. Huntington senior Jose Granados lost his courageous battle this past January, but he will never be forgotten by his classmates.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The show starts promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5. But bring plenty of extra money for the “amazing” raffles and the concession stand, which will be stocked with appealing items. Organizers say the raffles are vital to having a successful fundraising event.
“I have never worked so hard in fundraising until I became involved with the K-Factor,” said Erica Vazquez, the Key Club’s president. “Working hard every day beside my best friends and changing the lives of those affected by cancer has proven to be one of the best feelings I will ever experience. I’ve created the best memories throughout my four years of being involved in the K-Factor and Key Club in general and I’m so sad to say goodbye. We have an amazing show lined up and I hope everyone can attend to support our local causes.”
Organizers are asking classmates to use the hashtags #FlyHighJose, #RachelStrong and #Isabelle’sWarriors to raise awareness. English teacher and high school drama club faculty advisor Michael Schwendemann will once again serve as the show’s master of ceremonies.
“I became involved in the K-Factor as a confused freshman and it’s hard to believe that four years later we have to say goodbye,” said Maggie Giles, the Key Club’s vice president. “The K-Factor has come so far and our club consists of some of the most enthusiastic members, run by such dedicated officers. I am sad to see it come to an end, but we are ready to leave on a good note with the best show we’ve had yet. I hope to see the community come together yet again in support of our local families.”
This year’s lineup of performers is impressive. They are expected to capture the spirit of the event and are ready to put on an exceptional show. From dancers to vocalists, music groups and skits, as well as the legendary teacher act, there will be plenty to entertain the crowd. “Without our amazing performers, the show would not be what it is today,” Ms. Giles said.
The Key Club’s stage crew committee is being coordinated by Ryan Hoffman, Nick Haupt and David Fredericks. The group will assist regular high school stage crew club members as they strive to ensure a smooth running show, controlling everything from the music for the performers to the lighting and everything else on the stage that is visible and even invisible to the eye.
“I feel so lucky that I have been able to take part in this amazing event for four years,” said Gaia D’Anna, the Key Club’s treasurer. “We have made so much progress and I have been able to watch the show grow every year. Some of my most memorable experiences of high school have happened while planning this event. This event will be one that I know I will miss so much next year.”
Huntington’s Key Club chapter boasts more than 170 members this year. They attend weekly Thursday meetings in the School Heritage Museum. English teachers Kelly Krycinski and Gina Collica are the group’s enthusiastic faculty advisors.
“The K-Factor is an event intertwined with my most favorable high school memories,” said Samantha Sgrizzi, the Key Club’s secretary. “The opportunity to pour everything we have to offer into a cause so close to our heart’s and continually reap outstanding results is both rewarding and remarkable. Key Club is a medium I have the privilege of supporting my community through and the K-Factor is the quintessence of this ability. Although it saddens me that my time in Huntington High School’s Key Club is fleeting, I have confidence that this year’s K-Factor will be a wonderful end to an unforgettable four years.”
The action that occurs at the ticket booth, the raffle tables and the concession stand determines whether or not the event reaches its annual financial goals. There will be 33 raffle baskets overflowing with high value items. Some of the goods include a Google Home, Amazon Echo Show and/or Beats headphones.
The raffle committee is coordinated by Ms. D’Anna, Ms. Giles and Ms. Vazquez. The concessions committee is headed by Megan Erhardt.
Ms. Sgrizzi has been leading the publicity efforts to promote the show. She has been working alongside the Key Club’s officers in training to raise awareness of the event through social media, posters and announcements that students both see and hear daily.
If you plan to be in the crowd on Friday night, don’t even think about leaving early. Some of the most iconic performances over the years have been staged by the Ready Step Team, Highsteppers competitive dance squad and the faculty act.
“Key Club is the oldest and largest service program for high school students in the world,” according to the national organization’s website. “It has more than 270,000 members in over 5,000 clubs in 38 countries.” Key Club is a branch of Kiwanis International.
