Advance principal wore 'darker makeup' in pep-rally skit

A high-school principal meant no disrespect when she wore "darker makeup" during a lip-sync performance of an Aretha Franklin song at a pep rally Tuesday, the school superintendent said.

At least one parent complained, but principal Shana Kight's performance at Advance High School in Advance, Missouri, apparently didn't cause many hurt feelings at the predominantly white school -- even with the school's two black students the superintendent said he interviewed Wednesday.

Kight dressed up as legendary soul singer Franklin, performing her iconic "Respect" song in an effort to drum up enthusiasm before a sectional boys basketball game, Advance superintendent Stan Seiler said.

Seiler, who did not attend the event, said Kight, like the other performers that evening, wore a costume and had her hair fixed like Franklin's.

She also "had darker makeup on than she would usually wear."

It was that darker makeup that seemed to cause some controversy, although Kight "was not in blackface," Seiler said.

An anonymous caller to the Southeast Missourian claimed the principal had painted her face black for the performance.

"She really didn't intend any disrespect at all," Seiler said, adding, "We try really hard to work with our kids on character and making the right decisions."

Kight was among several motivational performers Tuesday night.

Some of the other impersonators included 1980s pop singer Cyndi Lauper, the Blues Brothers and more, including a skit starring African-American music legends Ike and Tina Turner -- who weren't wearing darker makeup.

Could that be why the Aretha Franklin number stood out?

"Maybe. I don't know," Seiler said.

On Tuesday evening, after the offended parent called him to complain, Seiler talked to students about what they perceived at the pep rally. No one seemed to have a problem with Kight's performance.

On Wednesday, Seiler said he talked with the high school's two black students to gauge their reaction to the pep rally.

"One of them said, 'I thought it was awesome,'" Seiler said.

The other student thought the lineup was "cool" and loved the excitement, Seiler said.

"'I wasn't bothered by anything,'" Seiler quoted the second student as saying.

Information from the 2014-2016 Missouri State High School Activities Association indicates Advance High School has 107 students.

At this point, Seiler continues talking to students to get their perspectives on the rally and the Franklin skit and said Kight is upset anyone would be offended by her part of the rally.

"At this point, we don't have a next step," he said. "We're still talking to students and talking to her."

Kight was not available for comment.

ljones@semissourian.com

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