On April 17th, 2023, in Cascade High School’s auditorium, the 13th annual Mr. Kodiak Pageant was held with the theme of My Animated Life. Ten contestants participated: Kai Lewman as Captain America, Tonio Aurilio as Reck-it-Ralph, Jones Duncan as Dora the Explorer, Kaston Dillon as Shaggy, Aiden Tuttle as Aladdin, Vincent Slette as Russel, Braeden Parton as Woody, Jesse Gunter as Blue, Quentin Farrell as Ken, and Alden Brooks as Shrek. Every year this event gives senior boys an opportunity to show off their physical abilities, individual talents, creativity and spur-of-the-moment wit. This year the competition was organized by Teara Dillion, Cascade High School art teacher and mother to Kaston. “I would say the staff dance honestly was [the hardest part] because for everything else I had a huge notebook from past competitions. It went amazing! 200 percent better than I thought, the guys really stepped it up a notch for the performance,” said Mrs. Dillion. “I loved their group fitness and all their talents. I mean seeing them not having it ready or polished in practice and then being able to enjoy the final experience was amazing. [We made] over 5000 dollars, maybe closer to 6000 now, we are still adding up. Over 500 tickets sold.”
The event started off with each contestant being introduced with a quick bio, why they want to be Mr. Kodiak, and a pickup line for their escorts. Then they all participated in a group dance routine, designed to show off their physical abilities, which this year was choreographed by Mia Bretz. Next came each contestant’s individual talents, and the main portion is closed with an impromptu question for each contestant. While the judges were deliberating, district staff and teachers performed a dance, and a live auction of baked goods organized by the senior girls was presented by the MC, Clint Strand. Multiple silent auction prizes were set up before the show for the audience members to bid on, and the winners of those were presented throughout the show. After the live auction, the competitors were brought back on stage for the awards. Everyone received an award, but only one was crowned Mr. Kodiak. Vanessa West, the senior class ASB president, oversaw organizing the silent auction as well as escorting Alden Brooks. “We got a good 40 to 50 business to donate [for the auctions]. All the money is going to the senior class senior sober party, and I think some of it goes to our senior trip as well, but I think that is still being determined,” said Vanessa West. “[My favorite part was] I think the ending results. Seeing the practices was nerve racking but seeing that night it was perfectly put together.”
The panel consisted of five judges: Judge Judy Derpack, Mark Hassigner, Nick Runions, Mike Smith, and Sheriff Morrison. After much discussion, Quentin Farrell a.k.a. Ken, escorted by Tillie-Jane Leroy, was crowned Mr. Kodiak for 2023 and took home a trophy designed by the mother of last year's winner, David Ising. “It feels pretty hype. I think I liked the group fitness [the best]. Honestly the best part was being able to do it with all those other cool people,” said Farrell. Anyone who is considering participating in the future should” just do it like I don’t know, you really don’t need to be that prepared until the practices start. I was a little nervous in the beginning but everybody’s just so cool and it’s a good time. You don’t even need to put that much time in outside of practices and it’s just so much fun,” said Farrell.
Aiden Tuttle aka Aladdin, escorted by Edie Walker, was awarded the “Mr. Steal-Your-Girl" title. “Quinton is a very talented man and definitely deserves the win. It was super good, I enjoyed his performance,” said Tuttle. If you are considering participating, Tuttle encourages you to “definitely do it. It seems nerve racking but it really isn’t. It’s probably the most fun you are going to have your senior year.”
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