By Ian Harden

Musical performances by Cony High School students at the 15th annual Calloway Coffee House raised nearly $900 for domestic violence prevention in memory Chevelle “Chellie” Calloway.

Calloway was a beloved social studies teacher at Cony High School before she was fatally shot by her estranged husband at her home in Boothbay Harbor in 2004.

Since 2004, the Key Club and Music and Art Departments, in partnership with the Family Violence Project, have hosted an annual series of live musical performances with desserts and coffee to celebrate Calloway’s life and raise awareness of domestic violence.

This year’s Calloway Coffee House raised nearly $900 to help bring awareness to domestic violence in Maine. The advisor for the event, Maria Brown, was pleased with this year’s turnout.

“I thought this year’s Calloway Coffee House went well and am proud to be a member of the Cony community. By honoring Chellie’s legacy, we are bringing awareness to domestic violence,” Brown said.

The night included 15 musical performances and student artwork displays. Key Club members decorated and cleaned the tables, provided food and drinks for guests and ensured that the overall experience for everyone went well as they listened to the performances.

“Preparing the performances is a pretty easy process. Announcements are made, anyone is welcome to sign up, and I meet with everyone to rehearse their performances,” said Jake Whitaker, director of choral activities at Cony. “The process takes two to three weeks, and we usually have a variety of performers, from singers to guitarists to even ukulelists.”

This year, Nancy Provost represented the Family Violence Project, which set up a booth with information on domestic abuse and cutouts of domestic violence victims and their stories as part of the Silent Witness Project.

The Silent Witness Project is a national initiative to remember the names and stories of people who are victims of domestic violence homicide.

Because of their efforts, the Cony community is able to support the Family Violence Project’s mission to end domestic abuse in Kennebec County and Somerset County and honor Calloway’s memory.