CAIRO — The Cairo High School Stage Makers competed in the Region 1-AAAA One Act Play Competition on Saturday, October 28th, hosted at CHS.

Their play went up against four shows from region competitors — Bainbridge, Westover, Shaw, and Hardaway. Cairo High School is proud to announce that their performance of “The Strength of Our Spirit” by Cynthia Mercati brought home the region title.

According to their director, Austin Harrell, this is the first time in a decade that Cairo High School has won region in One Act Play.

“I wish I had a word stronger than proud to express the feeling that I had about this group and this show,” Harrell said. “Each actor on stage worked hard to bring to life the real characters that they portray. Our crew members put in the work to ensure that our costumes were period appropriate, our sets were artfully painted, and that each piece was put on stage exactly where it needed to go. This was a team win!”

In addition to taking home the first place trophy, the team also brought home three different individual awards for actors. Payton Josey, who played the character of Johann, and Morgan Griffin who played the character of Older Miriam brought home an “All Star Cast” Award; per GHSA, this award is given to 10 students in the region who are considered outstanding performers. Kennedi Smart was awarded “Best Actress” in the region; this is a single award given to the top female performer out of all the shows in the competition. This is the second time that Smart has won this award.

“I am so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful cast,” Smart said. “I have received best actress two years in a row, thanks to Mrs. Austin Harrell and her guidance throughout my last three years of high school. We worked hard and brought home first place for the first time in 10 years, but not the last!”

The Strength of Our Spirit is a play about teenagers during The Holocaust. It follows characters based on real people and tells the stories of those that fought back against the injustice around them. Audience members who attended the public show were moved to tears and commented on the powerful impact of the show’s message.

Sophomore Aubrey Whigham, who plays the role of Younger Miriam commented, “I felt like as a group, we worked extremely hard getting into these difficult roles, not necessarily to win, but just to tell the story. I’m beyond excited to continue to share this beautiful story at the state competition!”

Morgan Griffin, a junior that brought home an individual All Star Cast Award added, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to play the character of Older Miriam, whom I have so much respect for, as she was based on Anne Frank’s real life best friend. In putting this show together, we as a cast have grown tremendously. I am so blessed to have experienced being a part of it.”