Seniors get set for Mr. SHS pageant

What could Hercules, teen dances, elaborate cakes, a skateboard musical, and formal wear possibly have in common with the St. Charles Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)? Sisters High School's 11th annual Mr. SHS pageant.

Last November, the high school staff picked 14 senior boys to compete for the title of 2010 Mr. SHS. This program has made raising money for neonatal emergency care enjoyable and beneficial to the whole student body.

The contestants and their escorts have been hard at work to fundraise for the NICU for several months, doing everything from concerts to soup nights. The contestants are Alex Novotny, Ben Bremer, Brandon Morgan, Chase Kleint, Dallas Frederick, Drew Johnston, Drew Harrison, Eric Adler, Justin Duvenick, Levi Rodriguez, Parker Bennett, Rodney Warner, Seth Schneider, and Zander Albertson.

Some of the big events have been Levi Rodriguez and Eric Adler's "Savin' Babies Dance," Alex Novotny's raffle at the Noah Gundersen and the Courage concert last weekend, and Dallas Frederick and Levi Rodriguez's "Love Is In The Air" concert, featuring music from Americana Project students and local artist Shireen Amini.

One of the events that included all the boys was a cake auction. Each contestant baked and creatively adorned a dessert in ways that expressed their personalities, then auction them off at a basketball game. With the help of their escorts, several contestants have also written letters to businesses, friends and family, asking for donations.

Some events still to come are Eric Adler's movie night at Sisters Movie House this Friday; Justin Duvenick and Parker Bennett's "Raining Love" Run/Walk this Saturday; and Chase Kleint's clothing drive, currently going on at the high school.

The event serves the St. Charles Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The contestants and their escorts were given the privilege of visiting the hospital and seeing some of the machines and procedures used for the care of the NICU patients. For many of them, this ignited a desire to work as hard as they can to raise money for the families of the babies in medical need.

The pageant, a night of dancing, talents and fancy tuxes, is set for Monday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The theme is "Ever After," so each of the contestants is taking on the role of a famous prince while waltzing about the stage in the opening number.

That's followed by demonstrations of individual talents which may include everything from a poem reading to ribbon dancing. There will also be interview questions and a formal walk with the escorts.

Tickets are $5 each, free for children under five, and can be purchased from any of the contestants or at the door. For more information about donations or any of the fundraising events, contact any of the contestants or pageant co-chairs Jordan Richerson or Blake Henderson at the high school, 541-549-4045. Donations also accepted at the door.