Mr. Owasso: fun, fame and friendship
By Mallory Sepúlveda
“You’re gonna laugh, you might cry and it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” were the words that emcee and former Mr. Owasso contestant Jared Gallagher aptly used to introduce the long awaited event. The 20th annual Mr. Owasso pageant, presented by Owasso Varsity Pom on Thursday, April 17, showcased not only the superb talent of the pom girls and senior boys, but also the empowerment and companionship of the fundraiser.
“When we get back from Nationals in February, that’s when [the senior pom girls] kind of get together and start thinking about what they want to do,” explained Varsity Pom Coach Zoie Hudson. “They’ll start planning the music and the numbers, and the two weeks before Mr. Owasso, we start inviting the boys to learn everything.”
After choreographing the opening number—this year's program was set to a medley of the “Mamma Mia!” soundtrack—the pom girls opened their gym every morning before school for the contestants to come practice. Additionally, each senior boy was paired with a pom girl who helped them learn the dance, perfect their talent and shine onstage.
“Since we have it set up like each senior boy has their own pom girl, they have a girl that’s rooting for them,” expressed Hudson. “[Each girl] wants their Mr. Owasso to win, so she’s promoting him [and] she’s helping him get his talent. One of these pom girls is gonna be invested in you and your success.”
On top of the scheduled rehearsals, the pom girls supported their contestant on their own time, starting weeks before the pageant where the girls encouraged senior boys to sign up.
“I had girls that came to the open gym last night; [they] didn’t need to [be there], but they stayed and practiced in the corner [with their contestant]. It’s like, you have these girls that are investing in you because they want you to do good,” beamed Hudson. “[The boys] feel like they have someone in their corner.”
For those that are unfamiliar with performing on stage, having that unwavering support is crucial to help them perform their best.
Senior Head Captain Caroline Draper mentions, “There are a few guys that are a little bit more shy … so we try to pair a guy and a girl together that know each other better. At first, it’s definitely nerve wracking. They’re all nervous to come in. It’s more exciting as we get closer and they realize that it’s just pretty fun; it’s not too serious.”
If Mr. Owasso were to be summed up in one word, “fun” would undoubtedly be the answer. Senior boys strutted onto the stage in coconut bras and floaties during the swimwear portion. They made the audience cackle with their witty responses to Gallagher’s questions. They chucked footballs, rolled each other around in car tires and serenaded the judges with song and dance.
“[Having] the judges [present seems] so crazy,” acknowledged Hudson, “because really [Mr. Owasso] is just for them to go out there and have fun. … But [the judges are] people that understand and want Owasso to be represented as best as it possibly can be. That’s our goal, that our Mr. Owasso [winner] encompasses all things Owasso and … can represent our program [and] the school as well.”
All 18 contestants exemplified what it means to be an Owasso Ram: they were supportive, encouraging, confident and good-spirited. Whether or not they left the stage with a prize in hand, each senior boy left with a smile on their face—and with the thrill of keeping the audience laughing all night long.
Photo of Mr. Owasso contestants taken by Mallory Sepúlveda
Mr. Owasso: James Tacherra, Mr. Cross Country
Mr. Owasso Runner Up: Andrew Altman, Mr. Clarinet