Cat’s Meow singers planning Disney music competition trip

WARWICK ­— The young ladies in The Cat’s Meow, an all girls a cappella singing club at Warwick Valley High School, are going places.

The school board has given approval for their travel to Orlando, Fla., to participate in Festival Disney, a music and singing competition, this April. But the group must raise more than $8,000 and they need sponsors.

This Saturday, Feb. 25, the girls are holding a fund raiser, “Cash for the Cat’s Meow,” at Chili’s Restaurant in Middletown, where they will earn 10 per cent on each meal served from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

In addition to the fund raiser at Chili’s, they have implemented other creative ideas such as selling “singing grams” and home baked goods on Valentine’s Day.

Twenty-first Century Education The Cat’s Meow was the brainchild of high school senior Allison Dethmers.

Last September, with approval from High School Principal Richard Linkens and the help of Dethmers’ friend and co-founder Francesca Huey, more than 50 girls turned out for auditions. Eleven girls were cast and the group rapidly gained popularity.

The young ladies recently had a successful audition with the MSG Varsity Talent show to compete in the ensemble category and they will soon be appearing on TV for this American Idol-style competition.

And MSG Varsity came to Warwick Valley High School this past week to interview members of the singing club along with Linkens and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Raymond Bryant.

The interview will become a televised promotional feature for the upcoming talent show.

Dethmers and several other members of the group are also appearing in this weekend’s local production of Godspell at The Acting Out Playhouse.