Coupeville high schoolers shake their money makers

This weekend, Coupeville High School boys will put themselves in the spotlight to have their intelligence, physiques, appearances and abilities scrutinized. And with any success, they’ll draw lots of dollar bills from the pockets of onlookers.

For the first time ever, Central Whidbey guys will vie for a crown in the Mr. CHS Pageant, but don’t worry, they’ve been told to keep their tactics family-friendly.

The Coupeville Senior Parent Committee decided to hold a Mr. CHS Pageant Saturday, Feb. 5, to raise money for the drug and alcohol free graduation party. The committee hopes to raise $19,000 to fund the party, and they’re about halfway there.

The contest will be a spoof of the Miss America pageant. Sixteen boys in grades nine through 12 will be judged on talent, formal wear, swim wear and an interview. Audience members will vote for their favorite candidates through donations with $1 equaling one vote.

“I’m sure my mom will pay for 50 votes,” said committee member Ginger Wacker, whose son Isaac has a proud grandmother and will be among the boys in the contest.

And the boys are preparing for some heated competition. They began prepping weeks in advance.

“I want to win,” senior Cody Grassman said. When asked about his talent selection, Grassman replied, “That’s a trade secret. I can’t tell you.”

As far as regulations, the boys’ ideas won’t see too many restrictions as long as they are school appropriate.

“For swim wear, they have to have boxer-style swim trunks, but they can embellish,” Wacker said, “but they have to keep it G-rated. And anything they deem talent, they can do.”

So far, Wacker said she’s had boys commit to doing beat-boxing, playing music and dancing.

CHS girls Taylor Herreman and Courtney Arnold will emcee the festivities and lead the audience in “minute-to-win-it” type games while the votes get tallied.

“This is one of those things everyone will want to see,” Herreman said. “There will be some good laughs.”

This week, the contestants were encouraged to hire campaign managers to try and solicit votes for the pageant. The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Admission and refreshments are free, but donations are suggested. The parent committee plans to hold cow-chip bingo and Applebee’s dinner fundraisers later in the year.

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