Eleven Cazenovia High School students from grades eight through 12 strutted their stuff before a sold-out crowd last Friday, April 24, for the sixth annual Mr. Caz Pageant. In the end, only one could walk away with the crown — and that one was senior Danny Phillips.

The pageant, run completely by the fashion marketing class taught by Christina New at Cazenovia High School, offered three different events in order for the audience to fully determine their winner, including a portion for evening wear, talent and interview questions.

The pageant started with the contestants — Dan McKillop, Michael Gugino, Joey Borio, Danny Phillips, Douglas Buckley, Sam Brownback, Ben “Keith” Sparks, Tim Kempton, Peter Decew, Matt Mistur and Brock Houghton — wearing cutoff jean shorts and sleeveless white T-shirts, running down the aisles of the auditorium and dancing onstage to the song “Fergalicious.”

Next was a runway portion where contestants, escorted by female members of the fashion marketing class, walked the red carpet in evening wear.

CHS Principal Eric Knuth, when asked by one of the emcees for his thoughts on the show up to that point, said, “There are just some things you can’t unsee.”

The talent portion of the pageant offered a variety of talents, from magic to cooking to dancing and singing. Phillips, wearing a shirt that said “Vote for Danny,” wowed the crowd with his dance inspired by the movie “Napoleon Dynamite;” while Mastur, dressed like a construction worker, received a raucous reception for his rendition of “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus.

Judges Paul Harney, Cailtyn Byrne, Kim Schug and Christopher Carroway watched the contestants through the first two portions of the pageant with looks of mingled shock and awe, and in the end chose Decew, Phillips and Sparks as their three finalists. By strength of applause, the audience chose Mistur and Kempton to round out the final field of contestants.

During the final round, each contestant answered one interview question, after which the judges made their final decisions.

In the end, Sparks placed fifth, Kempton fourth, Mistur third, Decew second and Phillips was give the Mr. Caz crown.

“I’m elated right now,” Phillips said afterward. “I haven’t felt this great in a long time … I really wanted it. I wanted the crown. I had a great time. I want to thank all the guys. I’ll never forget this as long as I live.”

All profits from the tickets sales and the intermission concession stand will be split between the CHS junior and senior classes.

Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].