Students prepare for Mr. SHS pageant

With the 2010 Sisters High School Mr. SHS pageant less than two months away, the candidates, their escorts, and committee members are working hard to ensure this year's performance stands out from years past.

The pageant is a fundraiser benefitting the St. Charles Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Bend.

Mr. SHS is an annual pageant in its 11th year, featuring Sisters High School male seniors selected by high school staff based on their leadership, integrity, and community involvement. The selected candidates then choose an escort and begin the fundraising process, with all of the money going directly to the St. Charles NICU.

This year's pageant theme will be "Ever After," with the candidates portraying princes from throughout the ages through song and dance. A panel of judges chooses the winning candidate based on their presentation of a unique talent, answer to interview questions, and the modeling of formal wear with their escorts. The amount of money raised by each candidate is also considered.

The NICU at St. Charles is a 12-room unit that provides care for up to 24 newborns at one time. These babies are typically premature or sick newborns requiring specialized care for medical issues such as birth defects or low birthweight. The NICU utilizes technology such as private rooms that simulate the womb, and special lighting that mimics the newborn's natural circadian rhythms.

The St. Charles NICU is the only designated NICU in Central/Eastern Oregon, meaning that the facility receives patients from throughout Central and Eastern Oregon. These patients often arrive via AirLink or by ground ambulance.

This year's Mr. SHS candidates are Eric Adler, escorted by Annie Mutchler; Zander Albertson, escorted by Rachel Lovegren; Parker Bennett, escorted by Emi Conrads; Ben Bremer, escorted by Elle Meyer; Justin Duvenick, escorted by Loryn Cummins; Dallas Frederick, escorted by Claire Kanzig; Drew Harrison, escorted by Susan Ruettgers; Drew Johnston, escorted by Courteney Satko; Chase Kleint, escorted by Dani Thompson; Brandon Morgan, escorted by Beth Halderman; Alex Novotny, escorted by Amy Yoder; Levi Rodriguez, escorted by Paige Bruguier; Seth Schneider, escorted by Lauren Clymens; and Rodney Warner, escorted by Jessica Snow.

To contribute, you may contact the candidate of your choice, and checks may be made out to Sisters High School. All donations, which are tax deductible, go directly to the NICU.

The public is invited to attend the Mr. SHS 2010 pageant, which will be held at Sisters High School on Monday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 and available at the door or from Connie Neilson at Sisters High School.