Mr. OCHS competition has guys vying for the crown

April 02, 2008

The Ocean City High School’s Hughes Performance Arts Center was rock’n when families and students gathered to watch ten handsome Super Jocks compete for the title of Mr. OCHS. Kate King had her patrol car parked outside as she was on hand to make sure nobody got out of order. Kathy Sykes, who missed her afternoon power walks on the Boardwalk the past two weeks due to rehearsals, met this columnist in the lobby and ushered me down front to the judges table where John Capizola and Michael Montirone were already in their seats. When Liz Ulmer joined us we felt like American Idol Judges. Pam Wilson had her calculator ready to tabulate the judge’s scores after each competition and Brenda Colon was on hand to help. The rowdy audience quieted down when John Bruno walked on stage and stood at the podium to introduce Student MCs, Megan Maguire and Jaime Hartley. This is always a fun event organized and run by the cheerleaders who worked with the guys the past two weeks teaching them dance routines and helping with talent or, as some call it, the “free expression” part of the competition. Everyone cheered as the contestants paraded down the aisles in black tuxedos. Tyler Huck sat in a wagon pulled by a guy dressed as a banana and another as a penguin. Steele Nugent and his escorts, Mary Maguire and Cathy Simonini, all sported white aprons and carried cooking utensils. Steele’s apron said “Kiss the Cook” which his escorts did when they reached center stage. John Fogarty made his entrance solo while Luke Bry was escorted by his grandma who he presented a dozen red roses to at center stage. Ryan Winslow got a kiss on each cheek from his pretty escorts while Ryan Birchmeier garnered lots of laughs escorted by Bill Moreland in a plaid jacket.
Corrine Schultheis sported a beautiful beaded gown and held a crown filled with questions for on-stage interviews conducted by John Bruno, who chased Zack Zahrend off stage when the answer to “where he saw himself in 5 years” was “engaged to Chelsea Bruno.” The talent was unusual with Tyler Huck riding a Scooter, Steele Nugent doing a “Buns of Steele” workout, Keith Roller stripping off his firefighter outfit, John Fogarty doing card tricks and changing soda into Cheese Its, Ryan Winslow as the “Piano Man” playing the piano, harmonica and singing and Ryan Birchmeier giving a motivational speech on bullying. Shannon Williams, Jordan Weisbecker, MaryBeth Halliday and Stephanie George were busy clearing props and sweeping the stage between acts. Casual Wear competition had Clayton Harper sporting a hunting outfit and orange hat, Steele Nugent as a cowboy who threw his hat to the Judges, Zack Zahrend chose a “Made in Ireland” shirt, John Fogarty wore fishing waders and nothing else while Luke Bry had the audience clapping when he roller bladed down the aisle and across the stage and Kyle Rinier wore a Mexican poncho and sombrero. Following the Finale with all the contestants back in their tuxes donated by The Mens Warehouse in Hamilton Mall, John Bruno described the long list of prizes to be awarded to the winners while the judges’ scores were tallied. Tyler Huck was voted Mr. Congeniality by his fellow contestants. Kyle Rinier was third runner-up, John Fogarty second, Ryan Winslow first and Ryan Birchmeier was crowned Mr. OCHS 2008.
Twas the Wearin’ of the Green at Colony Club’s Annual Covered Dish Dinner held on St. Patrick’s Day. Marion McCaughey hosted the dinner at her spacious home decorated for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter where she had tables set up in the living room, dining room and den. Members were enjoying a social time in the foyer when Andrea Bell, who made a delicious chocolate cake with white icing decorated with green shamrocks, and I arrived. Cathy Guinosso is looking forward to the arrival of her granddaughter July 1 as this will be the first female welcomed into the Guinosso family in over 80 years. Colony President Nicollette Mirra introduced Second District Vice President Mary Wolfe who drove down from Vineland for the dinner. Anita DeSantis, who has done a great job publicizing Colony Club events this year, welcomed Kristen Riley from the Sentinel who took pictures before dinner. When Kristen gathered members in the foyer for a group shot she stood on a chair to get the picture while the McCaughey’s canine, Molly, tried her best to get in the picture. Barbara Keen and Joanne Staniec rushed in just in time to get in the picture. I caught up with Linda Thompson, Debbie Veasey and Blanche Smith enjoying the hors d’oeuvres. Gini Trotman forgot it was St. Patrick’s Day and she showed up wearing black while Kathy Allegretto and Carol Evans admitted they just didn’t have anything that was green.
Diane Rossi, Pat Rowland and Hope Shaw got quite a jolt when Marion rang the dinner bell announcing the buffet was ready. Joan Chapman redeemed herself with a shamrock scarf around her neck. Linda Gronert, who chose a bright green sweater for the party, asked the blessing and then the ladies lined up to fill their platters at the buffet. I chatted with Mary Lee Shanahan who is happy to be back walking the boards with her husband. Marion and I sampled all the desserts after setting them out on the dining room table while Mildred Mott cut her blueberry cobbler into small squares. Barbara Weber recruited members to assist her in soliciting prizes from local merchants for the Luncheon and Fashion Show. As soon as Ned McCaughey got home from the Exchange Club Dinner where he was the guest speaker, he went to work cleaning up and washing dishes in the kitchen.
Mark your calendars for the Annual Author’s Luncheon sponsored by the Library that will be held Tuesday, Oct. 7 with famous author, Barbara Dolinsky, as the guest speaker, according to luncheon chairperson, Sharon Carestio.

Mr. OCHS Ryan Birchmeier (center) poses for a picture with his Court, Tyler Huck, Ryan Winslow, John Fogarty and Kyle Rinier.

Cheerleaders MaryBeth Halliday, Stephanie George, Corrine Schultheis and Shannon Williams smile for the camera with Mr. OCHS Contestants, Luke Bry and Keith Roller.

 MC for Mr. OCHS John Bruno poses for a picture with Jaime Hartley, Brenda Colon, Kathy Sykes and Megan Maguire.

 Cathy Finnegan, Gerri Cusato, Marion McCaughey, Barbara Weber and Linda Gronert were best dressed for the St. Patrick’s Day Colony Club Dinner.

Mr. OCHS Contestants, Zack Zahrend, Kyle Rinier and Clayton Harper model their tuxedos.

Diane Rossi, Nicollette Mirra and Elaine Novello welcome Second District Vice President, Mary Wolfe to Colony Club Covered Dish Dinner.

 Joan Chapman, Pat Rowland, Mildred Mott, Hope Shaw and Andrea Bell model their St. Patrick’s Day outfits.

Kathy Allegretto, Barbara Keen, Carol Evans, Anita DeSantis and Gini Trotman didn’t wear green to the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner.