By Jack Roma ’17 | Staff Writer
Six of South’s finest men took the stage in the South auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 10 to show off their talents and prove why they should be Mr. Blue Devil.
The contestants were JD Gray, Max Portwood, Mac Cimmarrusti, George Daley, Matt Gross and Gabe Martinez (all ‘16).
The pageant included 4 “rounds” which consisted of lip syncing, a swimsuit competition, a formal wear portion in which the contestants were escorted by the lady of their choice, a contest to show off their very best pick-up lines and lastly, interview questions asked by the teacher judges.
After a night of antics, dances and tough questions, Martinez was crowned as first-ever Mr. Blue Devil.
“It was really fun and I am feeling very surprised, along with so many other emotions.” Martinez said. “Everyone did an amazing job, I was just so astonished. There were so many talented people out there, but i’m shocked I could earn this honor.”
Martinez performed a rendition on the Napoleon Dynamite dance to the song “Canned Heat” during the lip sync battle which was met with a roar of applause. “I heard about this, someone offered it to me and I immediately knew that I wanted to do the Napoleon Dynamite dance,” Martinez said. “I practiced it once, and then completely improved it. I went out there and winged it.”
His swimwear Q and A came next (where he proclaimed he could not swim. but rather enjoyed sitting), and lastly walked onto the stage dressed as a king, escorted by, Lauren Pankin ‘16, for the formal wear portion of the evening.
The proceeds to the event went to The Empowerment Plan, which gives a 3 in 1 coat, sleeping bag and backpack to those who are less fortunate and in need, as well as employing some of Detroit’s homeless population to make them.
“We raised around $1000 tonight by charging $5 at the door and we had around 200 people at the event.” Student Association Advisor Laura Distelrath said.
The contest was a popular event, according to Distelrath, and she is hoping to see it again in the future.
