The drama community across Rockdale gathered at Heritage High School Monday evening, April 21, to honor the spirit and memory of Kate Caruso with performances from all three high schools' spring musicals and a lighted balloon release.

Caruso, a 2002 Heritage graduate and fourth grade teacher at Young Americans Christian School, passed away four years ago from cancer at the age of 26. Three years ago, her family created a scholarship in her memory to be awarded to a Heritage drama student. This year, the family was able to give a scholarship to one student from each of Rockdale's three home high schools, Rockdale County High, Heritage High and Salem High.

Cast members from each school performed numbers from RCHS's "Shrek," Salem's "Godspell," and Heritage's "Grease."  

Afterwards, audience members, family members, teachers, co-workers and attendees trekked out to the football field following a path of lighted lanterns for the finale - the release of lighted balloons. 

Here are a few scenes from that evening.