BLOG: The Mr. Easton Competition at Oliver Ames

by Mia Brugnoli Ensin

OA had high expectations for the 2012 – 2013 Mr. Easton competition, and those who turned out were not disappointed. This year’s pageant was arguably the most hyped about Mr. Easton in recent years.

Much of the competition’s pre-show success can be attributed to the National Honors Society’s preview trailers. Through this, the first to make names for themselves in the running were Bill Hamilton, Sean Kyne, and Daniel Lambert, the focus of the competition’s initial video. The five-minute documentary posed biographical questions for the contestants, allowing them to showcase their personalities early on.  The trailer’s follow up drew tons of attention as well, much of which circled around the unexpected participation of a certain unicorn, who unmasked, was contestant Glad Georges.

On the night of the competition, to a record-breaking audience of over 500, the show kicked off with another clip of the participates; this time, their race to the auditorium for curtain call. The boys run, they fight, they trip, hilarity ensues – all leading up to the opening dance number. The choreographed piece to a compilation of “Gangam Style” and “You Raise Me Up”, featured all twelve contestant’s individual solos, several impressive acro tricks, and a well placed kick line.

After the number’s final pose came sportswear. Accompanied by their escorts, participants flaunted athletic wear as the show’s announcers introduced each with a short bio. Ryan Chase dazzled in a sequined leotard and rhinestone top hat as he and his escort tapped danced an improvised piece.  Brad Cole also impressed by doing the seemingly impossible and actually swimming laps across the stage.

Following athletic wear was the competition’s talent portion, this round including the show’s trademark of contestants in short-shorts and sparkly costumes.  Sean Kyne, though passing on this hallmark, was a crowd favorite with a reading of his original poetry. Mike Brown, the lone junior in the show, engaged the audience as well with an accompanied rendition of “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”. And engaging the audience in a completely different way was Sean Brennan, demonstrating his Reenactment of a Rollercoaster.

Next in the competition came formal wear.  Corey McLaughlin, with the help of some handy side-snapped pants, forwent the norm and sported a pair of unconventional, thigh-bearing formal shorts instead.  On the other hand, Glad Georges just plain ripped his pants, when he did an impressive split.

Once all the participants were seated on stage, the Question and Answer segment began. The random questions allowed contestants to be candid and spontaneous, and grandstand their natural humor. Right from the start, Josh Stern made quite a statement with his one liner on the perks of owning a Mac.  Justin Davidner serenaded one lucky audience member and climbed into the balcony to sing a cover of “I Wanna Love You”.  Andrew Mancini’s deadpan humor came through with a thoughtful take on his own intelligence and what he’d wish for from a genie – that being, more intelligence. And wrapping up the round was Daniel Lambert, with a closing mash up of Taylor Swift’s greatest hits.

The competition came to a close and the judges faced a difficult decision; all were deserving but only one could win.

It was a hard fought battle, but when the dust cleared Bill Hamilton, wrestler and jazzercise extraordinaire, placed second runner up; highly anticipated contestant Sean Kyne came in as first runner up. And after much contemplation, Josh Stern was crowned the new Mr. Easton. Josh thanked both his parents, kind of, and, when asked, had this to say about winning: “It feels like I was stung by a swarm of bees, all of which injected me with pure happiness.”

A big congratulation to the winners and all the contestants, and everyone who made this year’s Mr. Easton a huge success!