|
By Joel Frady
"I just want you to know that the American Cancer Society
is not responsible for anything you see tonight."
So warned Lisa Bottomley, community manager for the American
Cancer Society in Wilkes, Alleghany and
Ashe counties, shortly after the contestants took to the stage
of the auditorium at Ashe County High School on Saturday, May
9, for the third annual Mz. Relay pageant.
For the competition, 10 local men put on bizarre and colorful
dresses and make-up, strutting around the stage during such
events as the evening gown competition, the talent competition
and a question stage towards the end.
Bottomley said that it was her third Mz. Relay event, an event
held both as a fundraiser and as a tool to promote the Ashe
County Relay for Life, and added that she looks forward to the
contest because "it's entertaining.
"I don't think anything [makes a stronger statement] than
a man dressing up as a woman - they're doing it for the right
reason, a great cause," Bottomley continued. "It takes
a lot of courage for these men to get in high heels and dress
and make-up to do this. It just shows how important Relay for
Life is in the fight against cancer."
She noted, with a laugh, that she gave the contestants a speech
before the contest to remind them that "it is a family
show" and to help calm their nerves.
"They're a bunch of good sports," she said. "A
few of them were a little nervous and felt like they were going
to throw up before they went on stage, but luckily that didn't
happen."
Contestant Greg Eason, who used the name Misty Hollars in the
pageant, said "it was probably the hardest thing"
he has ever done, but was glad to support the cause.
"I lost so many family members to cancer that I really
felt obligated to do something," Eason continued. He noted
that participating was "a blast" and that he enjoyed
"cutting up backstage" with his fellow contestants.
"I've made some new friends," he said.
Approximately two hours after the curtains opened, the six-judge
panel named the six finalists: Ron Worley (Rocking Ronda), Michael
Lonon (Tess Tosterone), Russell Trivette (Ivana B. Queen), Mark
Ball (Beyonce Ball), Nic Ball (Nicole Ballbellamy) and Ralph
Keyes (Ralphina Darling). The contestants were judged on criteria
such as poise, originality, smile, confidence and appearance.
After the children were called on stage to participate in the
Chicken Dance, the winners were named. Keyes took the Mz. Congeniality
award, while Ball and Worley were the first and second runner-ups,
respectively.
Trivette was then awarded the Mz. Relay 2009 crown and all the
responsibility, or lack thereof, that goes along with it.
Bottomley said that the turnout for the pageant was larger than
it was in 2008, but she noted that it was held on "a bad
date.
"We tried to have it on a day where not a lot was going
on, and it's been a great turnout," she continued. "We
want to thank Ashe County and everyone involved in the event.
We appreciate their involvement and support, and a special thank
you to all the men who participated."
As of Monday, May 11, the event had raised more than $4,589
that will count toward the Relay for Life total.
The Ashe County Relay for Life will be held on Friday, July
17, on the track at Ashe County High School in West Jefferson
beginning at 6 p.m.
To find out more about the upcoming Relay, or to get involved,
call Laura Young at (336) 982-3171. Any residents interested
in starting a new team or joining an existing one have until
Monday, June 8, to join.
Relay for Life was started in 1985 to raise fund for cancer
research. To find out more, click to www.relayforlife.org.
|
Get Firefox