By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Marlborough – A dozen contestants representing classes, clubs and sports teams good-naturedly competed in categories including legs, talent, formalwear and interview at the 29th annual Mr. Marlborough High School (MHS) Pageant, presented March 16 at the 1Lt. Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School Auditorium. This year’s “Around the World” theme inspired a production number with the contestants and their escorts dancing to the Imagine Dragons’ song “On Top of the World.”
Among the contestants presented with trophies were a couple of MHS’s musically-talented young men. Crowned Mr. MHS 2018 was Austin Wise, Mr. Jazz Band. Named first runner-up was Josh Taylor, Mr. Mixed Chorus. Recognized as second runner-up was Austin Cabral, Mr. Senior Class. Other semi-finalists included Alex Morse, Mr. Drama Club; Dan Pimentel, Mr. Sophomore Class; Gabe Pimentel, Mr. Orchestra; Devin Raun, Mr. Lacrosse; and Miguel Lopez Rivera, Mr. Student Council.
Rose Schade and Michaela Zouharis, both seniors, co-hosted the evening’s antics. Returning as a special guest host was Mr. MHS 2017, Brian Oram, who competed last year as Mr. Jazz Band. Serving as judges were state Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), Mayor Arthur Vigeant, and Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2018, Lexi Woloshchuk of Monson, a senior at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham. While the judges’ final votes were being tallied, the audience got serenaded by Joe LaFollette, Mr. A Capella, singing the Josh Turner tune “Your Man.”
For the first year, the pageant’s sole sponsor was MHS Student Council. The co-hosts gave a shout out for pageant preparation to Student Council advisors Mary Ellen Klein and Katie MacDowell, and President Erin Doherty. A notation in the event program stated, “The Mr. MHS Pageant is a spoof on a beauty pageant. No harm or offense is intended toward any individual or group.”
