February 21, 2008 issue
Thirty-three Young Men To Compete for Mr. WHS Title
Proceeds Benefit Three Watauga Families
Story by Anna Oakes
A night of entertainment, giving and high-school antics is in store for the ninth annual Mr. Watauga High School pageant taking place Saturday, February 23, at 8:00 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.
This year, 33 male students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades will raise at least $200 to compete in the pageant, a fundraiser that will benefit three families: the Kevin Rook family, the family of the late Ryan Glenny and the Newell family.
Previous pageants have benefited one individual or family, but thanks to increased proceeds over the years, the event is able to assist three families this year, Student Council advisor Leigh Wallace said. Last year, Mr. WHS raised $31,000 for a family stricken by cancer.
“As the amount of money raised has grown so large, we realize that we have the means to assist more than one family in a significant way,” Wallace said in a letter about the event.
Rook, a sophomore at WHS, recently lost his father to a sudden heart attack. His older brother Robert is a WHS graduate who attends Virginia Tech; his sister is deaf, physically handicapped and attends a special school for her needs; and his little brother is 4. In addition to the emotional loss, the family has lost their source of income.
Glenny, a WHS student, lost his battle against cancer in December. He was an active young man interested in music, drama, skateboarding and snowboarding. After doctors removed a cancerous rib, the cancer seemed to be gone, but it returned just before his junior year. His parents, Pat and John, are struggling with their grief and costly medical bills.
The Newell family suffered tremendous tragedy when a drunken driver hit their vehicle during the Thanksgiving weekend. The Newells’ son Drew, a 2004 graduate of WHS, was killed. His father Brian suffered a severe head injury and spent more than a week in a coma. Recently released from the hospital, he faces months of rehabilitation. Drew’s sister Jackie, a 2007 WHS graduate, needs facial and dental surgery to repair injuries to her mouth.
Wallace said the goal is to match last year’s donations and provide $10,000 to each family.
This year’s contestants are seniors David Alger, Josh Bolick, Eric Breitenstein, Jonathan Edwards, David Fisher, John Goheen, Brett Green, Zach Green, Brandon Koch, Ben Lloyd, Tim Roberts, Luke Robertson, Zeb Sanders, Jonathan Shine, Kevin Sutton and Jordan Trivette, juniors Matt Anderson, Will Barbour, Ashton Caton, Justin Chandler, Phil Gordon, Will Greer, Spenser Hallmark, Baine Martin, Trevor Penick, Danny Rosenberg, Chris Shelton, Houston Sherer, Max Simmons, Cam Steury, Wes Templeton and Jake Wallace and sophomore Joey Nelson.
During the pageant, contestants will compete in eveningwear, swimwear and “future wear”—an often-humorous display of how the boys picture themselves in 10 years—competitions, and they also participate in a talent portion. Wallace said the boys sometimes team up for the talent show. At last year’s event, two contestants drove a go-kart onto the stage, changed its tires and drove off—all set to music.
“Most of them last year were just really entertaining and awesome,” she said.
A panel of faculty judges—Carmen Scoggins, Robin Lowe, Doug Kidd and Derrick Jones—will narrow the field to about seven contestants, who will then be asked a lighthearted and a serious question. Mr. WHS will be selected based on his answer to the questions and overall performance.
In addition, the Mr. Moneymaker award goes to the contestant who raises the most money, and the audience can select the People’s Choice award winner for a cost of $1 per vote.
A silent auction will take place throughout the show in the auditorium lobby. Items donated to the auction include haircuts and hair care products, clothing, art and gift baskets, Wallace said.
Student Council members each raise $200 as well. The school will accept tax-deductible donations, payable to Watauga High School with Mr. WHS in the memo line.
The first Mr. WHS pageant was held in 2000 to help Lan O’Laughlin, a science teacher and swim coach diagnosed with liver cancer. The first event raised more than $4,000.
Tickets to the pageant are $15, and the event usually sells out, Wallace said. For more information, call Wallace at 828-264-2407 ext. 238.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, February 23
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Watauga High School auditorium
Cost: $15
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