'Dancing Without Stars' Methuen educators step out of comfort zone to raise college money for students

METHUEN — Arthur Nicholson expects he'll embarrass himself, but he couldn't care less.

"It's all for a great cause, when I gotta make a fool out of myself," Nicholson said of the dance routine he'll perform tonight and tomorrow.

He hopes his moves and the footwork and gyrations of his fellow Methuen educators — awkward though they might be — will translate to lots of cash.

With the skyrocketing cost of going to college causing an "across the board" spike in the number of high school seniors applying for financial assistance, Nicholson, principal of Methuen High, and other School Department staff are doing what they can to help. Tonight, they'll step outside of their comfort zones and risk embarrassing themselves to raise money for scholarships.

The Methuen Scholarship Foundation is holding its 21st annual Dollars for Scholars Telethon at Methuen High School tonight and tomorrow night. The goal is to beat last year's total of $33,547 — the most ever raised.

The telethon is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. both nights, and it will be televised on Channel 10. Twenty educators will open the show by dancing to "Grease" tonight.

One principal who appeared ready to put on a show during yesterday's rehearsal was Lisa Durkee, the associate upper school principal at Timony Grammar School, who moved gracefully during the rehearsal and showed off her dancing skills.

Durkee is only in her second year working in Methuen, and she said she's willing to "put myself out there" to help the cause.

The cost of attending a private four-year college is up 6.3 percent from last year, and the cost of attending a public four-year college is up 6.6 percent, according to the College Board.

"The college costs are just spiraling," Nicholson said. "They're rising greater than the rate of inflation."

The Methuen Scholarship Foundation gives college scholarships to about 50 students each year. The individual amounts range from $300 to more than $1,000, and they're based on students' need. Students qualify for scholarships based on need and merit.

The gifts will be announced at graduation on June 6. An independent screening committee picks the winners.

Many Methuen students opt for less expensive state schools, rather than private institutions.

"We send a lot of kids to UMass Amherst, UMass Lowell," Nicholson said. "Many of them go because it's more cost effective."

Telethon organizers have collected many items to auction, including gym memberships, gas cards, restaurant gift certificates and gift baskets.

Members of two local organizations — Interstate Gymnastics & Dance and Methuen Karate — will perform, along with high school students who will sing and play instruments. Local businesses have also made donations.

"People are great to us," said Colleen McCarthy, who is on the foundation's board of directors and choreographed tonight's dance numbers.

The phone number to call to bid on auction items will appear on the screen during the show. If you call, you might get to talk to Mayor William Manzi, state Sen. Steven Baddour, state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell or a police officer or a firefighter, because those people will be answering the phones.

Photos

Methuen School Superintendent Jeanne Whitten, right, Marsh School prinicipal Timothy Lannon, second from right, and other school administrators and principals practice their dance routine to "Summer Nights" from Grease. They were rehearsing before the Dollars for Scholars telethon for Methuen High School that will air on public access TV tonight and tomorrow nights. Staff photo