2nd Annual Mr. Emmaus Competition

Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, Emmaus High School Senior

On Wednesday night hundreds of cheering students and community members piled into the EHS auditorium for the annual phenomenon that has become Mr. Emmaus. Although only in its second year, this competition and fundraiser for EHS's student government (SGA) has enjoyed immense success. Not only has SGA raised thousands of dollars, but audiences just can't seem to get enough of these guys. 

Mr. Emmaus began last year when SGA member Laura Erle brought the male pageant tradition to EHS. After learning about competitions like Mr. Parkland and Mr. Whitehall, Erle decided it was time Emmaus had something similar. Although the past 2 years of directing the pageant have definitely been strenuous, Erle hopes that in the years to come the competition will grow to where guys can't wait for their senior year so they can sign up, and the rest of the students will hold their breath for the crowning.

This year the contestants were 11 of Emmaus' finest and most talented. The guys were all active participants in clubs, sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities. For the talent portion, they presented acts ranging from the Pledge of Allegiance to karate-chopping cinderblocks to doing Indian cultural dances. In the end, after stiff competition in casual wear, swimwear, formal wear, talent, and interview, Marc Primelo ended up walking offstage with a crown, a sash, $300 cash, and the prestigious title of Mr. Emmaus. 

Marc is captain of the Boys' Swim Team and co-president of EHS's Model UN club. For his talent, he played a self-composed piece on the African Harp. When asked what announcement he would make to the entire world at once in his interview, he said he would advise everyone to live each day to the fullest because you never know which will be your last.

All the participants in Mr. Emmaus agree that the experience was definitely worth it-- even the ones that Erle badgered into signing up. After numerous hours of rehearsing, sometimes staying at school until 11:00 to practice, the contestants became a close-knit group and really ended up having a blast getting to know more about each other. The guys have described this experience as "realer than the streets"- whatever that means- and second runner up Ryan Ruth says that this event will no doubt be remembered as one of his fondest memories of high school. See, boys can be sentimental! 

Chrissy Cilento, a senior at Emmaus High School, plans to study journalism in college. She is a periodic contributor to Patch.