Your 'Mr. Belmont': Not Your Average Geisha

When his name was announced as this year's "Mr. Belmont," Belmont High School senior Will Staub yelled with excitement, which was distinctly out of character for the robed Japanese geisha – complete with parasol, fan, white face paint and a dash of red lipstick – he presented himself to be to win the coveted award. 

Calling himself "not your average geisha" ("I'm wearing a pink wig," he said), Staub earned the honor as part of the event organized as a final project by the High School's Community Service class to raise money and awareness of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Community Service coordinator Alice Melnikoff said the night's festivities raised more than $1,600 for the charity. 

As for the show, who knew that skipping rope was a talent? That was until Jonathan Comeau, offensive lineman, wrestler and rugby captain, did an impressive round of skipping to music to start the talent portion of the show.

Some of the talent included David Green's rewording of the popular "Popular" number from the musical "Wicked," stripping off this his track singlet and running around the auditorium, Vinny DiGiovanni juggling baseballs, Craig Janjigiian telling a trio of snail jokes, Kevin Chen rapping an original song and Alex Griffin reading "poetry." 

As for those playing instruments, Grant Addis performed Bach on the marimba, Michael El-Hayek wailed on the sax and Staub performed a cello duo of his adaption of the theme to "Game of Thrones" although he was booed when he said he wasn't following the show at this time. 

But it was in the formal wear part of the show that Staub expressed his true uniqueness, emerging from stage left as a shy Japanese geisha, obviously enjoying the moment. 

Staub, Green (who was dressed as a top-hatted, green masked super hero of sorts) and Griffin were the three finalists, answering three questions and then waited for the judges to make their decision. 

When Staub, who was lifted into the air by Comeau and Janjigiian after being selected, was asked how he felt being named Mr. Belmont, he told his admirers: "I feel like a winner!"