The eagerly anticipated 11th annual Mr. Middletown pageant was held on Friday, May 15, where Jaraad Yates was named as Mr. Middletown 2009.
The pageant was emceed by Middletown High School psychology teacher Jeff Colsh and MHS guidance counselor Peggy Throne.
The judges were MHS computer graphics and sign language teacher John Mattingly, former MHS math teacher JoAnne Boyer, Kevin Fogg, MHS English teacher Rebecca Ayers, MHS Spanish teacher Lisa Boyll, and MHS principle Jay Berno.
The ten contestants were Hank Binzer, Jake Butler, Garrett Foland, Zack Haines, Paul Maginnis, Matt McConaughey, Rob Michels, Chase Nichols, Cliff Overfeild, and Jaraad Yates.
The night began with an opening dance number, during which all the contestants appeared on the stage wearing short dresses and wigs. Following that was the formal-wear portion.
Each gentleman was walked onto the stage by his escort, while the emcees told the audience a little more about the contestant, such as his hobbies, favorite color, and why he thought he should be Mr. Middletown.
The talent piece was next in the show. Butler and Binzer performed a medley of songs, including “Break Away” and “Baby One More Time.” Michels followed, singing and dancing to Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” For the next act, all the lights were turned off as Nichols and Foland did a skit to MGMT’s “Electric Feel” with green glow wands.
Maginnis performed next on his drums, followed by McConaughey, Haines, and Yates dancing to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies Dance.” Wrapping up the skits was Overfield, performing the song “Better Together,” by Jack Johnson on his guitar.
After a short intermission, the show continued with impersonations. Binzer started it off impersonating a girl in a mini skirt. Butler was next, doing a comedy skit in the style of Demetri Martin.
Foland and Nichols performed their act together again, with a skit incorporating Sham Wow advertiser Vince Shlomi and Zorbee advertiser Billy Mays. Haines, Maginnis, Overfield, and Michels impersonated the Jonas Brothers, performing “Burning Up.”
McConaughey followed, imitating the MHS baseball coach, and Yates finished the impressions as Michael Jackson singing “The Way you Make me Feel.”
The last determining event, which narrowed the competition down to three contestants, was the question and answer section. Each contestant was asked two questions. Some answered jokingly, some answered seriously.
The judges calculated the results, and chose Butler, Nichols, and Yates for the final three.
To decide who Mr. Middletown would be, each finalist was asked what he would miss most about Middletown. When each one had answered, the judges made their final decisions, and determined Butler to be second runner up and Yates to be the new Mr. Middletown.
This announcement was greeted by cheers and shouts of “Yes we can!” from the audience.
Yates was carried off the stage on the shoulders of his fellow contestants, wearing the crown of Mr. Middletown 2009.
