After about 200 nominations, the 11 Mr. Hinsdale pageant contestants have been selected. JKB changed their original plan of having three contestants from each grade, for a total of 12, since no freshmen showed up to the auditions. There are officially three sophomores, four juniors, and four seniors on the nomination list.* Though students will have to wait until next Thursday to see the contestants in action, we decided to talk to some of the candidates to get a glimpse at what to expect next week.
Connor Haszto
Sophomore, 15
I am planning on giving a short speech in Mandarin. Thought I don’t know who nominated me, I believe everyone did, and that I should be chosen because I’m a heck of a guy. Winning Mr. Hinsdale would be the pinnacle of my life and nothing else would compare. I’d love to meet Napoleon Dynamite, and my favorite thing about Central is the awesome student and teachers. My go to pickup line is, “It’s a good thing I have a library card cause I’m checking you out.” Finally, I’d like to remind readers that airport security is difficult for me because I set off the metal detectors with my abs of steel.
Donny Kwasigroch
Sophomore, 15
I am planning on playing the piano for my act, and would like people to choose me as Mr. Hinsdale because I believe I’d be a great Mr. Hinsdale. I have five brothers and sisters, love Central’s athletics, and would love to meet Cody Zeller. My favorite pickup line is, “Did it hurt? When you fell from heaven?”
Jake Hyland
Sophomore, 16
I am planning on playing “Here Comes The Sun” on guitar. I believe that Mr. Hinsdale is a fun way to raise money for charity, and I see no reason why people wouldn’t pick me. I also enjoy singing in the shower, purchasing treats from Central’s many bake sales, and would love to meet Vermin Supreme. My go to pickup like is, “Are you from Tennessee cause you’re the only ten I see”
Cooper Orler
Junior, 17
Interpretive dancing is my act, so the act is as fun as the audience makes it. Great people nominated me, and I should be chosen me as Mr. Hinsdale, because if we were Pokéballs then I’d be chosen first. For me, Mr. Hinsdale means more to the people receiving the donation than me. If I could meet anyone, it would be Selena Gomez.
Dan Lastres
Junior, 16
I am half Cuban and full-blown band nerd, and am going to play some righteous vibes in an ode to Sergio Flores. Having been nominated by some of my friends, I believe I should be chosen because I will bring the best skills, the best looks, and will give the best answers, overall representing Mr. Hinsdale, the manly ideal of the men of Central, the best. I believe that Central has some of the smartest most dedicated teachers and that students are very lucky that they care about our education. However, having already met Paul Woods, science teacher and forensics coach, my top person to meet would be Morgan Freeman. My favorite pickup line is, “Are you religious? Good, because I’m the answer to your prayers.”
Eric Maday
Junior, 16
I prefer to leave the element of surprise to help further the obscurity of my talent. Though unsure about who actually nominated me, members of JKB strongly encouraged me to tryout. Though I do think it’d be fun to have the bragging rights to call myself Mr. Hinsdale, winning isn’t the most important part to me. My focus is on putting on a good show and raising money for the charity of the winner’s choice. I’d love to meet Erik the Red, as I am essentially his reincarnation, and my favorite pickup line would have to be “There’s this movie I wanted to see and my mom said I couldn’t go by myself.”
Matt Driscoll
Junior, 17
Everyone will find my out what my act is on pageant day, but I’d like to say that I’m doing it for a great cause and it would fulfill a dream of mine. Mr. Hinsdale means everything to me. I’d love to meet Hugh Hefner and the bunnies, love when Central has a day off, and was born with a hole in my hear. My favorite pickup line is, “You look cold. Want to use me as a blanket?” or “So what kind of pancakes should I make you in the morning?”
Maximilian Cornell
Senior, 17
I will be performing “My Love’s Gone,” an original composition. My many admirers nominated me, and I should choose me because my everyday life consists of moments not unlike the bar scene in Good Will Hunting. I’m Will Hunting, sometimes. I’d love to be Mr. Hinsdale because if I could win the Nobel Peace Prize or Mr. Hinsdale, the choice is clear. Something interesting about me is that my hair has been through every single decade since the 50’s. If I could meet anyone, it would be Jimi Hendrix. The dude could PLAY. The best thing about Central is the 15-second moment of silence. I start thinking about our mascot and then our school motto and it gets out of control. And my favorite pickup line is, “If I were to ask you out on a date, would your answer be the same as the answer to this question?”
Ricky Williams
Senior, 17
I’m planning on singing, but I have yet to decide on a song. We’ll see. Mama K nominated me, and I should be chosen because think I best represent the class and character Mr. Hinsdale should have. For me, it’d be nothing short of an honor to win such a title. But if it turns out that one of the other great contestants win such honor, I’d be equally as happy. I’d love to meet Demi Lovato because she’s the best female singer I’ve ever heard and I’ve been a fan since she started. She’s overcome a lot to get where she is and her dedication is admirable. The people are the best part of Central. Coming to school is always more worth it because of the people I’m blessed enough to see every day. For pickup lines, I like “Congratulations, you’re the most beautiful girl in the room and I’m the grand prize.
The contest will be judged by Jill Pocius, senior, and Colleen from TCBY. The MCs are seniors Bridget Gilmore and David Gallo. Additionally, Bulls tickets will be raffled off to audience members.
*Rajan Khannas and Cameron Page, both seniors, were unable to be contacted for interview
