This weekend, the Lake Highlands High School Highlandettes drill team will host their annual spring show in the school’s auditorium. “Giving Our Regards to Broadway” is the theme, and they’ll include several numbers danced to songs from musicals.

“My favorite is the opener,” said senior Beth Solomon. “It’s Seussical, the Musical and we made an elaborate backdrop for the stage.” “I like the Red Line’s dance from A Chorus Line,” added junior Havilland Voss. “The Red Line is our elite high kick team, and high kicks are always crowd pleasers.” Junior Allie Beth Buchanan can’t wait to show off the dance to Phantom of the Opera. “We’ll be dancing to blacklight, and the choreography is great.

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That’s Meredith Wachel, Ada Mora, and Allie Heath in the photo. More, after the jump:

The show is likely to bring on as many tears as cheers, since beloved director Shannon Harty Carlton is retiring to focus on starting a family. “She’s been like a mom to us,” said junior Bethany Ford. “We’ll also miss her husband Matt,” added senior Haley Bruneman. “He’s been very supportive, coming to all our performances and cheering us on.”

This year’s senior presentation will be a bit different – they won’t do the Miss America-style walkout in evening gowns – but the girls graduating have been particularly strong leaders and will be missed by the younger girls they’ve shepherded. Also performing will be the “Rookies,” newest members of the team, and the elementary-aged girls who attended a recent dance clinic hosted by the Dettes. A few non-Dette acts will be sprinkled in, including LH junior Garrett Alloway’s band, Foreverlight, with Colton Williams and Max Hearst. The traditional photo slide show will play during costume changes, allowing the audience to peek into the year’s activities, from tryouts to social events to the senior mother/daughter trip to Gulf Shores.

“The year goes by so fast, especially football season,” mused Bruneman, who will attend UT in the fall. “My advice to the juniors is to take more pictures, because you can never replace those moments.” Tickets can be purchased by contacting Dette mom Lisa Jeske.