This year marks the 26th annual King of Hearts event at Normal West, a tradition instated in the year 2000 to raise money for a local family in need.

The event involves groups of boys from each grade performing at their best against each other in a variety of entertaining activities.

This year, the fundraiser was based around the family of Parkside student Edder Diaz, who unexpectedly passed in November of 2025.

All proceeds from concessions and the event went to supporting them.

From an impossible mission, to an overheating track star, to the kool-aid man, the introductions proved to be entertaining.

Almost as much as the choreographies, which included a piece from the Chicago musical, an improv cheer routine, and a fight scene.

Some of the individual acts included a dinner scene, a recreation of the Never-ending Story duet from Stranger Things, and a rap with some crowd work that had the room erupting in applause.

The event ended with Jackson Hill as the senior prince, Mason Sweeney as the junior prince, Lucas Elliot as the freshman prince, and Dane Schlipmann as King of Hearts!

The event raised approximately $3,200.

“We wrote the family a check for $2,000,”  Ms. L’Hote, a contributor to the organization of the event.

“Of course we had to buy the decor, t-shirts and prizes for the boys,” she continued.

“We initially told them it was going to be a check for 1500, but we were able to do 2000, which was great.”

King of Hearts continues to be an event that brings together the community in silly ways.

For many years, and many more, we can gather together to have a good laugh for a good cause.