By Kristine Thomas
For Matthew Peters, learning the dance routine is the most challenging task of the Mr. SHS competition.
“I don’t have any flexibility or coordination which makes dancing difficult,” Peters said.
Tanner Rosenberry concurs the dancing is hard, but for another reason.
“The dancing is so funny,” Rosenberry said. “We laugh at each other’s dancing.”
Robbie Le Parc thinks the Mr. SHS contestants have the dance routine “on lock” or the situation is under control.
“The hardest part about Mr. SHS is definitely staying on track with the fundraising,” Le Parc said. “The group of guys are too much fun and it gets pretty distracting.”
For Wyatt Crofts, the dance routine even with its flips and kick line and the fundraising are not the toughest tasks.
“The hardest part is actually being competitive,” Crofts said. “I’m having too much fun with these guys.”
The eight senior contestants for the 2015 Mr. SHS are Cole Chandler, Trevor Côté, Wyatt Crofts, Wyatt Fruehauf, Robbie Le Parc, Dustin Meyer, Matthew Peters and Tanner Rosenberry.
All eight contestants want to be Mr. SHS because they admire previous Mr. SHS winners, want to end their high school career on a fun note and raise money and awareness for Medical Teams International.
“I loved every minute of high school and this is the best way for me to finish high school with a bang while working for a good cause through MTI,” Chandler said.
Fundraiser for Medical Teams International
Thursday, April 16, 7 p.m.
Silverton High School Theater
1456 Pine St.
Tickets, $10, can be purchased from the
contestants or at the school.
The Mr. SHS candidates and their plans
after high school are:
Cole Chandler plans to attend either
Linfield or Pacific Lutheran University
to study business management or finance.
Trevor Côté plans to attend either the
University of Kansas or University of
South Alabama to study business.
Wyatt Crofts plans to attend Chemeketa
Community College to earn his paramedic degree.
Wyatt Fruehauf plans to study fashion
design at Academy of Art University
in San Francisco.
Robbie Le Parc plans to attend
University of Oregon to study business.
Dustin Meyer plans to attend Pacific
University to play baseball and major
in pre-med.
Matthew Peters plans to attend
George Fox University.
Tanner Rosenberry plans to attend
Oregon State for computer sciences.
Each contestant has to have a talent, raise money for MTI, answer questions and dance and sing. While they are eager to share other details about the pageant, none of the contestants would disclose what their talent will be.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Peters said.
The other contestants simply encouraged community members to attend and find out.
On a recent day in March at The Oregon Garden, the eight boys laughed, teased one another, goofed off and debated where they would have lunch.
They all agree about the mission of Mr. SHS – to raise as much money as they can to benefit Medical Teams International, (MTI), a global health organization helping people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty by delivering medical and dental care, humanitarian aid, and development programs. The group toured MTI to learn about what it does.
The Mr. SHS show is Thursday, April 16, 7 p.m. at the Silverton High Theater, 1456 Pine St. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance from any of the contestants, from the high school bookkeeper or at the door. Seating is limited.
Johnie Ferro, the high school’s activities director, said the Mr. SHS participants are always a great group of young men to work with and the 2015 contestants are no different.
“What I appreciate about this group is that they represent so much of the student body,” Ferro said. “They are kind, charismatic, funny and truly concerned with making a positive impact on their local and global community.”
Fruehauf, who said he is the competition’s first transgender contestant, feels fortunate to be part of Mr. SHS and “work with seven other great guys and to raise money for people who really need it. It’s humbling.”
Being part of the competition has also given each contestant an opportunity to work with students outside their usual circle. Before the practices began for the competition, Fruehauf said he didn’t know the other contestants very well.
“They are characters and fun to be around,” Fruehauf said. “They’re creative, funny and smart and I think represent our school very well.”
When asked how he would describe the contestants, Rosenberry said it’s a tough group to compete against.
“I’ve got Peters, Cole, Robbie, Trevor and Wyatt who are practically household names. Wyatt Freuhauf is one of the funniest and outgoing guys on the team and Dustin is one of the most well-rounded guys I know both academically and athletically. Competing with them is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Rosenberry said.
When asked how he would describe the competition, Chandler said, “One word… family.”
Le Parc said what makes the competition so much fun is they all believe in the importance of raising money for MTI. Côté agrees.
“I have learned how fortunate and blessed my life is and how I need to strive to help those less fortunate than me,” Côté said.
Meyers said the fundraising is tough but it is a great feeling knowing they are helping save lives by raising money and awareness for MTI.
“The truth is, it’s more like a fun event with some great guys. It feels like less of a competition and more of a show,” Meyers said.