On March 15, 2024, twelve young men took the stage at Pecatonica High School to compete for the title of Mr. PHS. For two years in a row, the Mr. PHS pageant, under the leadership of Key Club members Becca Brown and Payton Kasper, proved to be the most successful one yet, this year raising $11,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research hospital.
Throughout the night, judges and audience members were treated to a grand march, a choreographed dance, a dash for cash, and a lot of smiles and laughter. The twelve contestants began fundraising the week of the event, and on the night of the pageant, competed in the categories of formal wear, outfit of choice, talent, fundraising, and question. At the end of the night, awards were given, and the top two contestants were announced, leading to the crowning of senior Drew Lapp as the 2024 Mr. PHS.
The Mr. PHS co-chairs and Key Club advisor Michelle Johnson wish to thank all the contestants and their attendants, family members, judges, audience members, behind-the-scenes Key Club volunteers, and businesses who helped make this event such a success.
To date, the Mr. PHS pageant has brought in over $37,500 for organizations such as The Thirst Project, The Children’s Miracle Network, The Ocean Cleanup, ShelterBox USA, Kids Around the World, the Kiwanis Neuroscience Research Foundation, and now St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
*Photos courtesy of Marde Gann and Betty Kendall - for all photos, please check out our Mr. Pecatonica High School Facebook page.
2024 Mr. PHS Drew Lapp with attendant Kaitlyn Tipton. Drew also received awards for Best Dressed, Top Fundraiser, and Best Costume.
First Runner Up Adrian Salgado with attendant Addie Hamilton. Adrian also received awards for Best Talent and Mr. Congeniality.
Co-chairs Payton Kasper and Becca Brown served as the 2024 Mr. PHS co-hosts. Both Key Club members are seniors this year who have been involved with Mr. PHS all four years of high school.
Key Club members were an essential part of the pageant, especially for all the “off-stage” aspects that went into making the night a success. Here, the stage crew, consisting of Elena Salgado, Bri Dodd, Rachel Lucas, Emily Miller, Renee Brown, and Morgan Greenberg, gather for a picture before the show.
Honorary Junior Bryan Castellanos Chanona with attendant Delaney Handy during the formal wear category. Bryan received the Best Dancer Award at the end of the night.
Sophomore Brady Moore and his attendant Elaina Rager during the Formal Wear category.
Junior Josh Frank and his attendant Abby Cook dressed up as Darth Vader and Padmé Amidala for their outfit of choice.
Senior Adrian Salgado’s dino dance number was a crowd and judge favorite.
Senior Geno Gasparini waits for his question to be read. Geno’s response was so good, he won the Best Answer award later in the night.
Sophomore Blake Fox with attendant Olivia Girardin and Freshman Michael Halas with attendant Samantha Cobb return to the stage for awards announcements and the crowning.
Key Club members involved in this year's Mr. PHS pageant.