Submitted by Donna Hayward, Principal, HKHS.
Haddam Killingworth High School has seen a flurry of activity this month with our students very busy in this holiday season. Along with academically rigorous experiences, our students are immersed in the spirit of giving.
French Slam Poetry Workshop
Haddam Killingworth High School’s UConn French students had the unique opportunity to work with Canadian slam poet and musician Mathieu Lippé this month. Mr. Lippé, who is from Quebec, conducted a virtual workshop via Zoom entirely in French. During this interactive workshop, our students learned about the rich French-speaking cultures in
the Americas. Mr. Lippé taught our students his creative process through the analysis of one of his slam poems and guided them through writing their own poetry in French. The students enthusiastically participated and look forward to continuing to work on their poems in their French class with teacher Mrs. Kehrley. This workshop was possible through the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques, an association committed to promoting the French language in the western hemisphere.
French Honor Society raises $436 for Doctors without Borders
Haddam Killingworth High School’s French Honor Society members organized an event this
month in order to educate the community about the important work done by Doctors without Borders and to solicit donations for this organization. These highly motivated French students were successful with both objectives! They raised $436 on this cold Sunday morning in their booth outside of Jack’s Restaurant in Higganum. The booth had education materials about Doctors without Borders and their work related to Covid around the world. The students also prepared a number of delicious baked goods offered to residents who donated to their cause. The French Honor Society members shined through their compassion for this cause, their leadership and organization of the event and their ability to communicate with local residents in order to contribute to improving our world.
2021 Haddam Killingworth High School Holiday Telethon
Haddam Killingworth High School’s television production studio (H-KTV) will broadcast its 33rd annual telethon, benefiting the Connecticut Cancer Foundation on Thursday, December 23, 2021, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Connecticut Cancer Foundation financially assists Connecticut cancer patients and their families with basic living needs and funds cancer research. The telethon can be viewed live on Comcast Channel 18, on Frontier Channel 6090, and online at holidayshow.rsd17.org. You can call in your pledge to (860) 554-5490 during the broadcast – operators will be standing by to take your phone calls. Encore presentations will air daily from December 23 to January 3 at 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Mrs. Kasha Topa-Finberg at hktv@rsd17.org.
National Merit Scholarship Program
Congratulations to Duncan Beauchamp, Ymiko Imai, Olivia Swanson and Benjamin Williams
who have been named Commended students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended students placed among the top 50,000 students on the 2020 PSAT qualifying test.
News from the Technology and Engineering Department
The HKHS Robotics club is back in action again this year! Students are “gearing” up for their first competition on December 18 at Masuk High School. Each competition features a collection of 50 teams from around the state who compete head to head for four slots to advance to the New England level competition. This years game “Tipping Point” can be found at www.vexrobotics.com.
Meanwhile, the HKHS Small Engines class is looking for repair work. If you have lawn
equipment, power sports vehicles or other mechanical items that are in need of diagnosis, repair or maintenance please reach out to Mr. Kish rkish@rsd17.org These items are used to enhance student skills in diagnosing and repairing small engines motors and equipment.
Holiday Charm
A fan favorite each year is our gingerbread house contest in December! This is the 24th year of culinary masterpieces crafted by students in our Foods classes. The houses are displayed in the cafeteria foyer and judged by the faculty. The 1st and 2nd place winners receive prizes and bragging rights. Here are a few of the principal’s favorites of 2021.
Photos by Donna Hayward.
