Cactus Canyon Junior High School eighth graders Kayden Spicer and Jane Schlemper received Superior ratings for their performance of “Seventeen” from “Heathers the Musical” at the Arizona Junior Thespian Festival on April 15 at Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix.

CCJH is in the Apache Junction Unified School District.

The Arizona Junior Festival offers a fun, competition and instruction for sixth-eighth graders who participate in their school’s theatre program. Students are assigned groups where they meet other theatre students from around the state and engage in competitions.

“Kayden and Jane did an incredible job and we are very proud of them,” said Paul Lanphear who has been a drama instructor for AJUSD since 2002. “For those who want to enjoy an encore, both students will be performing in Willy Wonka Jr. on April 27 and 28. Jane will take on the character of Willy Wonka and Kayden will play the role of Grandpa Joe.”

CCJH’s Drama Club students will transport Apache Junction to a “world of pure imagination” with their production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr., a musical based on Roald Dahl’s timeless children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, at 6:30 p.m. April 27-28 at the Performing Arts Center of Apache Junction High School, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive in Apache Junction. Tickets are $5 (cash only) for all ages and will be available at the box office one hour prior to show time.

CCJH emphasizes a well-rounded education where academics, sports and extracurricular activities allow students to grow scholastically, physically and emotionally. CCJH students can get a head start on funding their college education by signing up for Pinal Promise in junior high. The program offers a tuition-free education at Central Arizona College for those who fulfill the requirements and graduate from participating high schools in Pinal County such as Apache Junction High School.