Cynthia King

It's not work for everyone.

Teaching a bunch of teenagers. Trying to motivate them. Dealing with the drama on and off the stage. The long days and nights.

But it is work for Cynthia King. Wonderful work. Work that she missed so badly a few years ago when she was dealing with breast cancer.

King recently celebrated her 40th year directing Notre Dame's high school musicals. That's four decades of guiding students, fostering creativity and talent. King estimates that more than half of the teachers at the school were once her students.

Several of King's students have gone on to professional careers in theater, even appearing on Broadway. Sometimes she travels to their performances. She won't take credit for their success, but she'd like to think she had some influence.

Ms. King, that would be an understatement.

In a recent story published in the Southeast Missourian, King explained some of her motivation.

"It's not the same feeling for me to give a letter grade as it is to work with students on a project like the musicals, and help them to see it through," she said. What a wonderful mentality for a teacher to have.

King was recognized for her years of dedication in the recent performances of "Bye Bye Birdie."

Thank you, Ms. King, for all you've meant to Notre Dame and the rest of the community.