Gilmore crowned Mr. SHS 2008

Candidates and their escorts raised more than $25,000 through donations and ticket sales during this year's Mr. SHS campaign. The amount towers over the record $18,000 raised during last year's drive. Maybe this is why Riley Gilmore was so proud when he was crowned Mr. SHS 2008 to cheers of support and hardy applause at the high school auditorium last Saturday night.

Ten seniors, with the help of their escorts, vied for the title. Raising anywhere from $1,000 to more than $5,000, each couple made a significant contribution to the bundle that Sisters High School will donate to benefit Portland's Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

This year's candidates were: Riley Gilmore with escort Holly Worth; Lucas Glick with escort Hattie Tehan; Brian Greaney with escort Jordyn Valdez; Carroll Gryder with escort Kali Ulmer; Kanoa James with escort Brook Rosauer; Emery Meyer with escort Rachael Tenneson; Dominic Nieri with escort Brenna Mooney; Ashton Simms with escort Aria Garau; Slater Smith with escort Laura Curtis; and Andrew Wilson with escort Niecia Schilperoort.

Jordyn Valdez was named Best Escort and Lucas Glick was honored as Mr. Congeniality.

"It's neat to see the community really pull together to rally for these guys and for Doernbecher and for Sisters High School," said Lanie Milroy, a member of the leadership team who organized the event who also served as one of this year's emcees. "The 10 Mr. SHS contestants go out to the Sisters community and fund-raise for Doernbecher," she said.

Mr. SHS candidates are selected by Sisters High School teachers who nominate seniors to compete for the title.

"It's an honor to be chosen, because you've got only 10 people selected out of the whole senior class," said Mr. SHS 2008 Riley Gilmore.

According to Mr. SHS emcee Felicia Pledger, a member of the leadership team who organized the event, Mr. SHS should be "a guy who represents the spirit of the high school, who is like enthusiastic, motivates others. He is someone who people look up to, who they want to come to watch at a pageant," she said.

Mr. SHS contestants are judged with regard to the amount of money they raise. Their talent and their formal wear modeling are also considered, as are their responses to interview questions.

Mr. SHS candidates and their escorts told The Nugget that their trip to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland brought home the significance of supporting the hospital.

"I've never been in a hospital that felt like a hotel," said escort Niecia Schilperoort. "I walked in, and it didn't smell, look or feel like a hospital. It was just this warm environment.This is not like a normal hospital; it's a place for families, and it's for kids.

"I just think this is one of the greatest things that our school does, because it's all of these really well-known guys from our school that are top students and they get to come together and work for a good cause. It's not just a popularity contest; it's really for the greater good," she said.