Mr GQ is back in 2015. Attempting to win the all-male pageant, Ricky Lomas, Hayden Hunt, Derek Ludwig, Noah Bagley, Garrett Newstrom, and Alex Gannett will show off their various talents in a formal contest the evening of Thursday March 26 in the CPAC.
According to the official rules of Mr. GQ 2015, a student is allowed to enter if they are sponsored by a campus sport, organization, or AP/Honors course. Only 1 representative is allowed per team, organization or class.
Leadership teacher Dino Petrocco and student coordinator Annie Doyle conducted auditions to narrow the competition down to the most talented individuals.
According to Doyle the competition is returning after a 1 year hiatus. “We actually did not do it last year just because I think it fell through,” she said.
Finding someone who can explain exactly what the contest is about proved daunting. Even some of the contestants appear not entirely sure what they are getting into. “Basically what GQ is, is, it’s an all men’s talent show [sic]. And you know the magazine GQ, like Mr. GQ, so it’s formal; they have to wear like a suit and tie. The girls, the dates or escorts, wear a ball gown and basically it’s a very relaxed, not what GQ actually is. It’s just a talent show, and guys can kind of just do their thing. Our spirit commissioner is going to be there. It’s basically like a big skit night, but it’s very loose, very nonchalant, and it should be fun,” Doyle explained.
“We’re going to have food trucks and it will be an all student body event,” Doyle said of the potentially informal-formal competition.
According to Lomas, “It’s a male talent show, so each contestant performs a talent, so I’m singing and playing the piano. Some people are doing other things; I don’t know about everyone else but that what I do.”
“I’m sponsoring my teacher Mr. Petrocco,” he added. “I do a lot of singing and stuff in school. I’m performing a song called ‘Colder Weather.’ I’m representing AP Comparative Government,” explained Lomas.
Doyle described the ideal GQ man as “probably someone who is obviously entertaining and funny, who has a way with the audience and who has a way with people.”
“The GQ competition is kinda like a male talent competition but every contestant gets asked a question and they all perform an act, whether that‘s like singing, doing magic, something they feel is a talent,” said Gannett.
Gannett’s act “will be building a birdhouse in 3 minutes and Cameron Atwood will be narrating [the act].”
“Well, I started practicing last year because I was going to be in GQ last year, but then it got cancelled. So almost a year I’ve been practicing my birdhouse building skills,” Gannett explained. “Last year we needed some acts and I was like, I know I can build a birdhouse fast, so I’m gonna do it and I just practiced and practiced,” he added.
“I’m very excited the competition is back. I’m representing AP Biology because the birds are biology related,” Gannett said.
All contestants will be provided with a rental tuxedo. Acts will be 3 to 3 1/2 minutes long.
While the evening is intended to provide a certain measure of humor, contestants have been warned that “inappropriateness” will result in severe consequences. “From what I recall, one year a bunch of guys did really funny dances in speedos and I bet that was funny. But I review all the acts before so hopefully nothing like that happens,” said Doyle, who is charged with keeping the event school appropriate.
Ticket sales will benefit the late Bob Wilson’s chosen charity.
“Last year they were going to go to ALS before it fell through. This year we thought we were deciding between ALS and the Warthog Rugby. We realized that to the senior and junior classes, Mr. Wilson was really dear to our hearts. When he had his celebration of life here on campus, instead of asking for presents and donations, he wanted us to actually donate to this Warthog Rugby organization and so we’re going to be doing that. It’s for kids that play rugby but don’t have the resources we do to succeed,” Doyle explained.
Preparation for GQ man has been fairly time-consuming for Doyle. “It’s been a good amount of work than what I thought it would be. We had to call the florist, call the food trucks. I had to contact all the guys, and we had auditions. We’ll have a Wednesday night dress rehearsal, for like the lighting, and the microphones and stuff, and then we’ll be selling tickets all next week. So we’ve had to make the brochures, the tickets, contact everyone. Right now I’m currently writing the script so a lot of backstage stuff,” explained Doyle.
According to Gannett, facing off against other students is a source of tension and excitement. “I think it’s going to be stiff competition. I know a lot of the other participants and they’re all very talented, so fun, but also very challenging,” he explained. “I’m just excited; hopefully it goes well.”
“The acts are different this year. They’re not usually [this diverse]. Sometimes everyone sings or everyone dances, but this year there’s definitely a good mix,” Doyle said.
