Ford crowned Mr. SHS

Even before the pageant began, each candidate knew they had accomplished something big. The walls of the Sisters High School commons were lined with massive postings, each listing the tens, hundreds and thousands of dollars raised by each candidate and escort. They knew their fund-raising efforts could potentially save lives.

With the help of many generous donors from the Central Oregon community and through many hours of their own hard work, the Mr. SHS 2009 contestants raised a total of $37,689 for the St. Charles-Bend Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The evening's pageant opened with student emcees Lanie Milroy and Sam Orwig introducing Cascade Healthcare CEO, Dwight Heaney, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Sisters community and the Mr. SHS candidates for their enormous generosity. Several nurses from the NICU also travelled from Bend to show their support and enjoy the evening's show.

Sisters High School vice principal Mark Stewart took the podium and spoke of his family's experience with the St. Charles NICU. He shared his personal story of complications at his daughter's birth and explained that without the expert care provided by NICU staff, his daughter Lexi might not have survived.

The evening's show began with a group dance, choreographed by Blake and Sarina Henderson, which showcased all 12 candidates and reflected the theme of the pageant, "Takin' Care of Business." The candidates played the parts of various professionals; roles included a scientist, FBI agent, doctor, pilot and senator.

The talent portion of the show involved individual acts as unique and diverse as the candidates themselves. The showcase of talent ranged from hula-hooping, comedic skits, dances, arm-wrestling, musical performances of original compositions, to lessons in sports skills and fly-tying.

Next, each candidate and their escort modeled formal wear. The total funds raised by each competing couple was announced, while the candidates presented roses to their family and escort. Although they looked dapper in their tuxedos, each candidate sweated through an impromptu preliminary interview question.

Thomas Arends, Wes Ford, Jared Henderson, Levi Rowe and Jordan Tandy were the top five scorers and advanced to answer the final interview question: "In 1860, Nelson Henderson said 'The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.' What does this quote mean to you and in what ways in your life have you accomplished this?"

Wes Ford knew right away what the quote meant to him. He referred to his involvement in many projects, student government, and specifically his rewriting of the school's constitution as examples of his endeavors, but ones from which he would not directly benefit. The 'shade' would be left for those in the future.

The final votes were quickly tallied, and Wes Ford was crowned Mr. SHS 2009. Ross Cristiano won Mr. Congeniality and Courtney Accaregui was named Best Escort. Nick Head and his escort Courtney Acarregui were the top fund-raising couple, raising a total of $10,935.

Candidates for the pageant are chosen by high school staff based on their character, integrity, and community involvement. During the pageant, all contestants are judged on individual talent, formal-wear presentation, preliminary interview question and overall impression.

The evening's judges consisted of community members Melvin Herburger and Marsha Marr. They were joined by faculty members Charlie Kanzig and Sally Taylor-Pillar, and last year's Mr. SHS, Riley Gilmore.

This year's candidates were Thomas Arends, escorted by Taylor DelGuidice; Mike Calavan, escorted by Kjersti Burck; Ross Cristiano, escorted by Jordyn Valdez; Lee Elder, escorted by Lindsey Berger; Ross Erickson, escorted by Susan Ruettgers; Wesley Ford, escorted by Aubrey Cretsinger; Sam Fullhart, escorted by Emi Conrads; Nick Head, escorted by Courtney Acarregui; Jared Henderson, escorted by Laura Curtis; Drew Herron, escorted by Felicia Pledger; Levi Rowe, escorted by Karah Herr; and Jordan Tandy, escorted by Lanie Milroy.

The show was organized by the high school Leadership Class. It involved months of preparation and was written and managed by students Zander Albertson and Lanie Milroy. Mary Thomas served as Leadership advisor. Win or lose, all candidates and their escorts were able to exemplify the meaning of the final interview question and 'create shade' for others by raising $37,689, a total which surpassed funds raised by past pageants.