Behind the Scenes of HTC REEL Kids Program
304 days of preparation and planning. 84 professionally produced videos. 1 amazing day. Welcome to REEL Kids 2026!
And what a day it was! On April 15th, REEL Kids, their families and educators and a large HTC contingent found their way to the hallowed halls of Medieval Times.
The class of 2026 boasts 84 members, adding to the 25 previous years and now totaling over 1,350 alumni of the REEL Kids program.
I’ve been privileged to be a part of this amazing program for the past 5 years, 3 years as the event coordinator, supported by an amazing team. And the growth of the program is a beauty to behold.
The Origins
The initial years of the program included kids doing TV interviews on HTC Channel 4 and a banquet, held at a local hotel. The average number of recipients between 2001-2019 was 25.
Then came COVID-19. There was no banquet in 2020 or 2021 although students still received recognition, but for most it was lackluster. We had 97 recipients in those 2 years.
A New Era
In 2021 the HTC Marketing Department went through some big changes – new roles, new people, new ideas. It was decided that it was time to make the REEL Kids Celebration a day that the KIDS would be excited about. The event was moved to Ripley’s Aquarium.
For the first two years it was a great fit, but in 2024 we received the most nominations ever – 83 – and the venue had become too small for our group. REEL Kids families and educators expressed disappointment in not being able to participate in the day, due to space limitations, so we went to work to find a more suitable location.
A Royal Celebration
Our answer came in the form of a castle – Medieval Times. It is a perfect space, and the theme of the castle, along with the knight code of chivalry, aligned perfectly with the values we see in our REEL Kids. We were able to book the space for a private event – one that will accommodate over 1,000 guests. We have the size needed for a big party – now to invite our guests.
In 2024 we opened the registration to include families of all sizes and invited our REEL Kids alumni. We were also able to invite more of our HTC employees, giving many an opportunity to see our community spirit in action. We had over 400 guests – 100 more than the previous year.
This past year we had nearly 500 guests. Some REEL Kids had their entire family – parents, siblings, grandparents – join them for their special day. Teachers who could take the day to joined the festivities. The Superintendents of each school district were in attendance, as well as school board members. We even had the opportunity to visit with a couple of our REEL Kids alumni.
As coordinator, I wasn’t fully able to enjoy all the festivities around me, so thankfully there’s video.
HTC is so much more than your local Internet Service Provider. We are a Cooperative, entrenched in the community. We are your neighbors, your friends, and we are also proud to be a part of this amazing HTC community.
REEL Kids is just an extension of HTC values. But for me, the value of this program affords me the most satisfaction.
The countdown has begun and we’re already looking ahead to 2027.
Want to see more of the 2026 REEL Kids Celebration? Visit social media and use the hashtag #htcreelkids. View a full recap at MyHorryNews and WPDE.
