Mr. Wahkiakum pageant wraps up Doernbecher week

Saturday March 23rd marked the first annual Mr. Wahkiakum pageant, culminating a week worth of fun in fundraising for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

The evening began with a spaghetti feed at 6 p.m. and a silent auction in which participants could bid on things like baked goods and gift baskets. Students and volunteers served guests.

After diners had sufficient time to eat and relax, Mary Simpson Moonen stepped up to the microphone. As emcee for the evening, she began by introducing each contestant for the first portion of the evening’s entertainment, formal wear.

Senior Eli McElroy, at 6’5”, stepped out in a frothy pink prom dress. The other five contestants opted for a more masculine approach to formal wear, running the gamut from camouflage and hunters orange to cane carrying foppery.

After showing off their finery, talent took center stage. McElroy forgot his prop and had to run home. Jenton Zeng, a junior and exchange student from China, wowed the crowd with a performance of Chinese Kung Fu. Senior Steven Doumit danced in flowing purple. McElroy returned, breathless, and solved the Rubik’s Cube in 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The crowd roared at sophomore Ethan Cothren’s imitation of a whoopee cushion. Tristan Mendez, a sophomore, showed the audience how to make the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich and freshman Ryan Quigley poured the perfect glass of water, asking, “Is it half empty or half full?”

Contestants then took part in the Question and Answer section of the event.

Zeng, whose favorite teacher is Mr. Cox for his advice on how to meet women, was asked if he had ever met a good looking girl while walking his dog. “I don’t have a dog,” he replied, but offered this advice, “Keep your loving fresh!”

Mendez had some thoughts about the event, “It’s pretty good, I’m having fun and hopefully we’re raising lots of money.” If stranded on a desert island, the three things he would bring were, he said, “a blanket, water and pie. Everybody likes pie.”

Finally Quigley was asked what he would do if he joined the circus. “I would like to train bears. “I would also like to ride a unicycle on a tightrope. I will train bears on a tight rope while on a unicycle. I will train multiple bears to jump through hoops on fire, spinning hoops and hoops that are not on fire.”

Last, the contestants showed their school pride with the wearing of the red and black, with the same sense of fun witnessed all evening.

Judges were Linda Hartung, Lynda Gerlach, Deputy Sheriff Nathan McBride, Mike and Samantha Wright and Stephanie Crouse as well as two representatives from Kids Making Miracles, Dylan King and Marissa Zorngast of Tillamook High School.

After the votes were counted, Steven Doumit was declared Mr. Wa-Ki High.

Music was provided by some talented kids from the community including Nate Hargrove, Jem Dyer, Sidney Ashe, Kylee Thomason, and Megan Thompson.

Wahkiakum students were able to raise $7,306.32 over the last week, almost reaching the total raised over the last four years.

The Penny Wars at the grade school and junior high raised 788.51. Mrs. Olsen’s class won and will be enjoying a root beer float party on Friday.

The two members of the court, selected earlier in the week at the high school, who raised the most money were siblings Steven and Delaney Doumit. They were declared the King and Queen of the Doernbecher Court.