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Mr. WHS Raises $33,000+ for Three Families

Story by Anna Oakes

The ninth annual Mr. Watauga High School pageant turned out to be a “huge success,” Student Council advisor Leigh Wallace said. The fundraiser raked in more than $33,000 for three local families stricken by tragedy.

Senior Eric Breitenstein was crowned Mr. WHS on February 23 after an evening of eveningwear, swimwear, talent and question competitions. The seven finalists included Breitenstein, Jonathan Shine, Zach Greene, Brandon Koch, Kevin Sutton, Spenser Hallmark and Will Barbour. Thirty-three students competed for this year’s title.

Contestants received other awards as well. Senior Tim Roberts was voted Mr. Congeniality by his fellow contestants. During the intermission, the audience voted for Jonathan Edwards as People’s Choice for $1 per vote. Breitenstein also received the Mr. Moneymaker award for raising more money than any other contestant—an award he has claimed two years in a row.

The pageant again delivered on its reputation as a night of hilarity. Sutton rode a unicycle, juggled and performed stunts during the talent portion. David Fisher and Luke Robertson stood atop a magic carpet while singing the Disney’s Aladdin song, “A Whole New World.” Fisher was dressed as Jasmine, and Robertson was Aladdin.

“It was hilarious,” Wallace said.

Other talent competitors took a serious tone. Ben Lloyd wrote and performed a rap song about the struggles in Darfur with a slideshow of images displayed behind him.

The fundraiser raised more than $10,000 each for three families: the Kevin Rook family, the family of the late Ryan Glenny and the Newell family.

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 DVDs of the pageant can be purchased for $10. For more information, call Wallace at 828-264-2407 ext. 238.