The Talented Mr. WHS
Watauga High hosts charity pageant April 25

By Frank Ruggiero

Call him charitable. Call him talented. Call him Mr. WHS.
Watauga High School’s annual comic pageant is back for its ninth year, raising money and hope for area families in need.

An all-male pageant, Mr. WHS sees high school boys compete in a talent show before a panel of judges, with high school girls serving as escorts, all following a choreographed musical number.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in the WHS Ross Auditorium, this year’s pageant – with a “Just Like a Circus” theme – will feature 28 participants. Tickets sell for $15, and the majority of funding is raised by members of the high school’s student council.

Each member must raise at least $200 through ticket sales, advertisements in the pageant’s printed program, simple donations, or raffle tickets at $1 a piece or seven for $5, with ticket-holders eligible to win themed gift baskets.

The county’s elementary schools have also joined the effort, raising money through “hat days,” where kids can wear hats in school by paying a dollar.

“It’s a lot of fun for the whole school, and everyone gets involved,” senior Parisa Tashakkori said.

The number of families served has increased over the years. Last year, three families stood to benefit. This year, there are five, and the students aim to raise $50,000, so $10,000 might go to each.

Austin Williamson, senior class vice president, has participated in the pageant each of her four years at WHS. She noted that it’s not uncommon for students to exceed their goal, with last year’s set at $40,000 and $44,000 reaching the families. For this year, Williamson has so far raised $3,400, adding to the total, as of last week, of more than $20,000.

“Even though as a student council member you’re required to participate, I really enjoy this, because you can give back to the community,” Williamson said.

One year, a friend of hers was one of the beneficiaries. “When you have a connection, it makes it a lot more warming and heartfelt,” she said.

Like so, all the families share a connection to WHS, Tashakkori said. This year, one of the families is that of Will Dicus, the high school senior who has battled Ewing’s Sarcoma for the past five years.

“Since we’re seniors, we know him well and really feel committed with the pageant and want to help,” Tashakkori said, noting that funds raised would help offset the Dicuses’ medical bills.

“They’re not only deserving of the money, but they’re good people, well-liked in the community and positive in life,” Williamson added.

The pageant, one of WHS’s largest fundraisers, also offers a night of comic relief for the beneficiaries, Tashakkori said.

Senior Jake Wallace competed in the 2008 pageant and has agreed to return this year. “It was really fun,” he said, “and it’s for a good cause, so that kind of motivates you to do it.”

Junior Dylan Russell will join him. “It’s a fun way to get involved and know you’re helping on a level larger than yourself, and it’s great to see the community come together for this event,” he said.

Leigh Wallace, student council coordinator, said people can even send donations to the high school after the pageant. “So, if anybody wants to give to the community, they can still do so,” she said.

The pageant started in 2000 to raise money for Lan O’Loughlin, a WHS science teacher and swim coach who had been diagnosed with liver cancer. The inaugural event raised more than $4,000, a sum that has grown ever since. O’Loughlin died in 2002.

“We encourage the community to get involved as much as they can, because every little bit helps,” Williamson said.

The pageant takes place Saturday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in the WHS Ross Auditorium. Tickets cost $15. Checks may be made out to Watauga High School, with Mr. WHS written in the memo line, and mailed to Watauga High School, 400 High School Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (828) 264-3133.