Mr. Kendall Pageant is an evening of fun for a good cause

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Evan Gaesser (left) took second place honors and Creagan Maclaren (right) was selected Mr. Kendall 2016 Friday evening at Kendall Central School.

KENDALL – Kendall High School Senior Creagan Maclaren was crowned “Mr. Kendall 2016” during the 3rd Annual Mr. Kendall Pageant Friday evening at Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.His “bio” in the program stated: “Cregan’s favorite activities in school (include) wrestling, golfing, and being an absolute lady killer.”

“I’m glad to finally take the crown,” Creagan said as he paraded around the stage following his victory. He wore his lion costume from the “Individual Talents” portion of the pageant. “Last year I got so close,” he said.

Contestants perform a group dance number at the opening of the Mr. Kendall Pageant Friday evening. They danced to the song, “It’s Raining Men.” The pageant was “crashed” by two female students – Student Council Event Coordinators Maddie Rath and Kacey Menge. Both were disqualified at the end of the competition for “not being males.”

Mr. Kendall Pageant contestants strut their stuff Friday evening during the workout wear competition.

Creagan was the only participant this year who also participated in 2015. Senior Evan Gaesser came in second place. Other participants were seniors Brandon Lewis and David Maslyn, and juniors Brandon Miller, Bobby Wilson and Kenny Price.

The tongue-in-cheek event is organized and hosted by members of the Kendall Jr./Sr. High Student Council and provides an opportunity for upperclassmen to “strut their stuff, show off their talents, and support a good cause,” the program states.

Mr. Kendall contestant Kenny Price (left) performs his “Teacher Impersonation” of instrumental music teacher Ashlea Strouse with the help of a fellow student.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Grace Lang/Amber Liese Memorial Walk in May. In recent years, the walk has benefited Teens Living With Cancer, the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the Kendall Ambulance. Grace Lang was a school nurse and Amber Liese, a Kendall graduate, died of cancer in 2010.

Participants competed in several areas: formal wear, a group dance number, teacher impersonation (an audience favorite), workout wear, strongest/smartest, sleep wear, interviews and individual talents.

Mr. Kendall contestants Creagan Maclaren (left) and Kenny Price (right) listen intently to a question during the “strongest/smartest” portion of the pageant.

The talent portion was won by Kenny Price; workout wear by Brandon Lewis; teacher impression by David Maslyn; sleep wear by Brandon Miller and interview by Ryan Barrett – who wasn’t an actual contestant, but who gave contestants their questions during the interview and managed to change his costume between each contestant.

Guest judges were former Student Council members Matt Schuth and Marisa Hanlon, former “famous teacher” Kris Stumpf, and Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino.

Audience members were able to participate in the competition through social media. Student Council members Sarah Pieniaszek and Lexi Payton manned the Twitter booth and reported on tweets during the evening.

Contestant Brandon Miller – sporting his sleep wear – is questioned by Student Council Member Ryan Barrett during the personal interviews. Barrett changed costumes incredibly quickly between contestants.

Ryan Barrett wore a “Dorothy” ensemble to question Mr. Kendall contestant Bobby Wilson who was asked what his campaign slogan would be if he ran for president. Wilson responded: “Sponge Bob is awesome 24.”

Evan Gaesser, who took second place, performs “Artistic Stylings” during the talent portion of the Mr. Kendall Pageant. His “artwork” was a “Vote for Evan” poster which he presented to the judges.

Contestant Brandon Lewis performed “magical” for the talent portion. He made several items “disappear” by putting them in his pockets, throwing them away or tossing them off-stage.

Former Mr. Kendall contestants in attendance took the stage momentarily during judging. On the far right are brothers Mark and Adam Washington – the winners of the first two Mr. Kendall Pageants.