De Soto High School Student Council and prom committee planned the schools’ first ever Mr. Wildcat, a men’s beauty pageant. This served the purpose of fundraising for prom, Student Council and for a donation to the Ronald McDonald House.

“I think it was one of the best ideas we’ve had in a long time in terms of a new event,” said junior class sponsor Melissa Stone. “It raised a lot of money, the kids had a blast and the students who participated had a blast. I think it will get bigger and bigger in the future.”

The men participating in the pageant had to compete in categories such as sportswear, talent and eveningwear and the top five then had to do an interview portion.

“It was a lot of fun. Especially when you’re actually performing,” senior Eric Williams said.

In addition to the pageant, this served as a talent show. Between the different categories of competition several students performed a special skill of their own.

Before the top five were announced, all of the boys participating in Mr. Wildcat were asked to vote on Mr. Congeniality, which was an award meant for the hardest-working and most charismatic participant. Joe Brazeale won that award. Additionally, Justin Slater won best talent and Tyler Mars won best sportswear, which were awards voted on by judges.

“I thought it was pretty awesome. We had a lot of fun, and hopefully it becomes bigger every year,” senior Michael Buffkin said.

After the interview portion, they announced that Mars was the third runner up, Buffkin was the first runner up and Brazeale was crowned DHS’s first Mr. Wildcat.