HUNTERSVILLE — Christ the King High School students are producing their first musical, performing Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman’s “Smile” March 10 and 11.
The musical tells the story California’s Young American Miss Beauty Pageant in 1985.
This 1988 musical is highly underrated and underperformed. This show is undoubtedly dated (a single song references Gerry Ferraro, President Reagan, and Gorbachov) but captures an authentic youthful energy that still exists in today’s teenagers.
The girl-next-door protagonist experiences the very relatable process of growing up by simply realizing that she does not want to be a Young American Miss, but having tried for it, looks forward to figuring out what she will be. The interactions between the teenage contestants ¬ bonding, jealousy, gossip, consoling ¬ are all presented realistically and comically.
The performance are March 10 at 7:30 pm and March 11 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Knox Theater in Mooresville’s Charles Mack Community Center. Tickets available at Christ the King website’s school store.
— Catholic News Herald. Pictures by Jeannie DeSena of jeanniedesena.com
HUNTERSVILLE — Christ the King High School has claimed its second state championship title in swimming. The girls team placed first in a decisive victory over its closest competitors of Carolina Day School and The O’Neal School. The boys team, last year’s state champions in their division, placed second this year in a very close competition with Grace Christian School of Raleigh.
Jane Donahue, who has signed to swim next year at Penn State, broke her own state records in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke, which gave her a High School All-American time. Donahue said, “I am so proud to be a part of this team, and I am thrilled that we have finished off our high school careers with a state championship victory.”
Other top finishes included:
- Alex Adams: State champion in the 100-yard butterfly and second-place finisher in the 100-yard backstroke
- Amanda Hoffman: State champion in the 100-yard butterfly and second-place finisher in the 500-yard freestyle
- Ben Duckworth: State champion in the 100-yard breaststroke
- Alex Adams, Keenan Burgess, Ben Duckworth and Alex Koenigsberger: State champions in the 200-yard medley relay, with a state record-breaking time
- Annie Donahue, Jane Donahue, Amanda Hoffman and Jordan Lamoreux: State champions in the 200-yard medley relay, with a state record-breaking time
- Annie Donahue: Third-place finisher in the 100-yard butterfly and Third-place finisher in the 100-yard backstroke
- Jordan Lamoreux: Second-place finisher in the 100-yard backstroke
- Alex Koenigsberger: Third-place finisher in the 100-yard freestyle
- Keenan Burgess: Second-place finisher in the 500-yard freestyle
- Amanda Hoffman, Jordan Lamoreux, Annie Donahue and Jane Donahue: State champions in the 400-yard freestyle relay, in which they broke the state record
- Alex Adams, Ben Duckworth, Keenan Burgess and Alex Koenigsberger: State champions in the 400-yard freestyle relay, in which they broke the state record
Athletic Director Phil Harrington said, “The energy that surrounds the swim program here at Christ the King is unbelievable. From the parents, to the coaches, to every single swimmer, these families and athletes commit so much time and energy to the program. I was so happy to see so many students and fans make the trip up to Greensboro to support the team, and for the girls to win the championship, and the boys to finish second, it was amazing to watch.”
— Michael Smith is the interim principal at Christ the King High School.