Coronado students, teachers, staff and community members will join together, virtually, to host the 2020 Coronado Schools Foundation’s (CSF) Telethon May 6th. In a combination of pre-recorded segments and live tapings with scheduled Zoom calls, Coronado will be entertained during the four-hour telethon dedicated to supporting our schools. During this unprecedented time, filled with uncertainty, CSF hopes to offer a brief escape from concerns and worry by bringing comedy, drama and a sentimental tribute to the Coronado community.
Student hosts include Coronado High School Senior Class President Annie Cook, “As a senior, it has been hard being in quarantine. I have been able to get outside a lot, but I really miss getting to see all my friends at school every day. This is why I am so excited for the telethon May 6th. It’s going to be such an amazing event and a great way to try and distract yourself from any quarantine blues. It’ll be a great way to get a glimpse back into school life and all the things that make school great; from the art classes to fun science labs. I am very grateful for CSF for allowing me to have such a memorable time in the Coronado Schools. CSF has some awesome things planned for this fun, new telethon and as one of the hosts, I would love for you to join us!!!” Joining Annie as student hosts are seniors Lilly Grimes and Kendall Chapko along with junior Noah Wahamaki.
The local celebrity hosts include the New York Times bestselling author and TV celebrity chef, Melissa d’Arabian who will host a new and hilarious baking challenge in which teachers from each of the schools will have a bake-off and students will judge. “As a parent with three daughters enrolled in Coronado schools, I am so appreciative of the enrichment programs CSF provides for our kids,” notes Melissa d’Arabian. “All of this is made possible by the generosity of our amazing community of donors.” Joining d’Arabian are returning celebrity hosts from the 2019 telethon: former Mayor Casey Tanaka, Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey, local beloved mortgage lender Kory Kavanewsky, and CUSD Superintendent Karl Mueller.
Jeanmarie Bond, CSF president and CEO will be hosting the event live from Coronado High School and will be welcoming Zoom guests throughout the broadcast as well as introducing some of the prerecorded segments. “We are lucky in Coronado to have so many individuals that are willing to share their time, talents and resources for the benefit of our local schools and students,” shared Bond.
Helping with this huge undertaking, and in an effort to make a high-quality virtual production, is Coronado native Pilialoha Estall and her talented team from Finest City Entertainment. “It has been so rewarding to work with Coronado students and staff to compile some fun content, and produce a show that will resonate with the community,” said Pilialoha, “As a Coronado High School graduate and the mother of a current Coronado Village Elementary School student, I know how important Coronado Schools Foundation is to supporting our schools, and I’m honored to have a small part in this important event.”
The CSF Telethon will be broadcast live and virtually on AT&T Ch 99, Spectrum CH 19, coronadotv.me and csfkids.org/telethon. During the telethon viewers will be able to call in donations or go online to csfkids.org/give and choose which school they would like to donate to.
