By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

On May 3, Cazenovia High School (CHS) hosted its 13th annual Mr. Caz Pageant in the school auditorium. The popular event is produced by the CHS fashion marketing class, taught by Christina New.

According to New, the pageant began as a hands-on project for her students to learn event planning, marketing, sales and budgeting in a real world setting.

This year, seven students competed for the title of “Mr. Caz.” The competitors were judged by a panel of CHS staff members, including School Resource Officer Kevin Hamberger, nurse Kathy Hudson, and teachers Kyle Martin and Kelly Nourse.

The competition — emceed by Lindsey Clements, Teddy Williams and Eva Salzman — was divided into three sections: eveningwear, talent and the final interview.

The event opened with an entertaining group dance to the song “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” The students performed the choreographed number in matching pink T-shirts.

During the eveningwear portion of the competition, the emcees introduced the contestants — Peyton Pinckney, Vito Borio, CJ Monroe, Ryan Wheeler, Tony Heaney, Douglas Buckley and Thomas McKay — as female students escorted them down the runway.

The talent section brought a combination of amusing, creative and impressive performances.

Wheeler danced in a dinosaur costume; Heaney did a magic trick; Buckley performed an on-stage synchronized swimming routine; and McKay attempted to trigger “autonomous sensory meridian response” (ASMR) in the audience by demonstrating the process of cooking instant ramen.

The other contestants showcased their musical abilities — Pinckney sang a ballad; Borio played the piano, sang and danced in a rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody;” and Monroe played electric guitar and serenaded the audience with “Just the Two of Us.”

Prior to the interview portion of the event, the judges selected the top four contestants.

Buckley, Borio, McKay and Monroe advanced to the next round.

Each finalist answered one question. Buckley discussed the role of social media in society; Borio described what he would do if he won the pageant; McKay stated how he would change the world; and Monroe identified the most inspirational person in his life.

After considerable deliberation, the judges announced Monroe the winner of the competition.

He was crowned Mr. Caz and adorned with a cape.

The pageant concluded with an energetic reprise of the opening dance number.

Matt Knutsen served as the DJ. Gus Sayre assisted as Back of the House Director, and Eleanor Wester and Cavy Monahan operated the lights.

During the event, the fashion marketing class raffled off tote bags — created from recycled clothing from The Key — to combat “fast fashion.”

All profits from the raffle, ticket sales and concessions go to the CHS junior class.