'Mr. Saucon' Contest a Night of Delight for a Great Cause (Photos)

Est. Read Time: 8 mins

The 2019 Mr. Saucon contest did not disappoint.

If you are not already familiar with “Mr. Saucon.” it is part variety show, part pageant and part fundraiser. Thursday night’s event was vaguely reminiscent of Chuck Barris’ Gong Show, although there was no gong. Mr. Saucon, being more comedy than anything else, is an annual event open to the community that provides a whole lot of entertainment. Best of all, Mr. Saucon is a fundraiser that helps fight pediatric cancer.

Jenna Skillinge and Zoe Zaharakis were the hosts of the 2019 Mr. Saucon fundraiser.

Hosted by seniors Jenna Skillinge and Zoe Zaharakis, Mr. Saucon is produced by Saucon Valley High School’s Student Government Association (SGA). Saucon Valley’s SGA is headed by Mrs. Cheri Chisesi (Math) and Mrs. Tammy Miller (Special Ed.). All proceeds generated from Mr. Saucon are donated to the Saucon Valley miniTHON group. Thursday night, Mr. Saucon raised $3,763! This is up from the $2,343 that was raised at last year’s event. In 2018, Saucon Valley mini-THON raised a total of $31,656. This year mini-THON has set its goal at $40,000. Fifteen of Saucon’s finest seniors stepped-up for a chance to win the 2019 Mr. Saucon title and raise money for a great cause.

Your 2019 Mr. Saucon contestants perform a dance choreographed to Rihanna’s pop hit “Umbrella.”

2019 Mr. Saucon Contestants!

Anthony Bufanio
Calver Gallard
Kelvin Gallard
Curtis Clifford
Evangelos Hahalis
Jarrett Hirschbeck
Ryan Holub
Reily Hudak
Justin Kyra
Robert Mateff
Patrick Morrissey
Connor O’Donnell
Patrick Patterson-Zuber
Jarred Reccek
Tim Weaver

To earn the right to be called Mr. Saucon, contestants had to overcome a series of events that included Swimwear, Talent, Formal Wear and Q&A. A panel of judges using rubrics would evaluate each contestant in each category. Then, all scores would be tabulated and a new Mr. Saucon would be named.

With 15 contestants, the judges had their hands full at the 2019 Mr. Saucon contest.

2019 Mr. Saucon Judges!

Mrs. Theresa Andreucci (Spanish)
Mr. Mario Marcozzi (History)
Mr. Matthew Shaw (English)
Mrs. Kerry Schultz (Math)
Ms. Kimberly Tassinaro (Biology)
Ms. Amy Virden (Athletic Trainer)
Mrs. Ashley Yestrumskas (Chemistry)

2019 Mr. Saucon contestants dressed in their formalwear getting ready for the Q&A portion of the competition.

In addition to “Mr. Saucon” a “Mr. Personality” is recognized. The only criterion for Mr. Personality is raising the most money. Canisters for each contestant were made available all night long. In addition, while the show was live, SGA members circulated the aisles of the high school auditorium with the designated canisters while the contestants were performing. Expressing their delight, donations were deposited into the canisters by audience members. The contestant who generated the most donations was named “Mr. Personality.” The Mr. Saucon winner received two complimentary prom tickets. Mr. Personality received a single prom ticket. The tickets were donated by Saucon Valley’s Class of 2020.

The opening act was a dance routine choreographed by Abby Altemose, Paige Penizotto and Jenna Skillinge.

After a few preliminary remarks from Mrs. Chisesi, Thursday night’s show opened with a choreographed number that included all 15 contestants strutting their synchronized stuff. Senior classmates Jenna Skillinge, Abby Altemose and Paige Penizotto organized the dance routine, which was set to a musical medley that included You Make My Dreams (Hall and Oates), Sh-Boom (The Overtones), Thotiana (Blueface) and Umbrella (Rihanna). It was a lively and energetic opening.

Ryan Holub sporting his personal inflatable flamingo flotation device during the beachwear competition.

During the Swimwear event, contestants, one by one, worked the stage and paraded much to the laughter and whistles of those in attendance. Ryan Holub got things started as he marched back and forth in his colorful attire along with his inflatable flamingo floatie. Calver Gallard rocked the house sporting and showing off his…uhhh…two-piece ensemble. Patrick Patterson-Zuber finished the segment as he hulked his way out of his tear-away t-shirt while flexing for the crowd.

Calver Gallard brought the house down with his swimwear selection.

The Talent portion of the show featured twin brothers, Kelvin and Calver Gallard entertaining the crowd with a vivacious hip-hop dance routine, Evangelos Hahalis sharing a traditional Greek dance and Patrick Morrissey singing his amusing version of John Denver’s Country Roads. Curiously, Robert Mateff concluded the act showing off his knack for rolling sushi. The judges declined the opportunity to sample Mateff’s creations.

Patrick Morrissey treated the crowd to John Denver’s Country Roads during the talent portion of Mr. Saucon.

All of the contestants looked dapper during the Formalwear portion of the show. With prom right around the corner, contestant Reily Hudak took advantage of the setting to prom-pose to his sweetheart with a dozen roses in tote. With a big hug, she accepted! CE Roth Formal Wear provided the attire for the gentlemen to model.

Saucon senior Reily Hudak used the Formal Wear competition as an opportunity to secure a date to the prom.

Calver Gallard stole the show during the Q&A segment. Each contestant was asked two questions by the hosts. When asked who his role model is, Calver thoughtfully responded his twin brother and fellow contestant Kelvin. Following a sweet and emotional sigh from the crowd, Calver informed the crowd that he was only kidding and that it was actually his parents who he admired most for always supporting him with everything he does. Calver then, with a huge smile, blew his parents a kiss. Tim Weaver created a little roar of laughter from the crowd with the answer to his second question. Weaver was asked about his favorite Saucon Valley memory. His response, much to the amusement of the crowd, was “this year’s bonfire.”

The Panther 2018 Homecoming bonfire from October is still looking for a light in March.

When all the singing, dancing and silliness was done, the judges submitted their evaluations and the 2019 Mr. Saucon award was awarded to Calver Gallard.

Calver Gallard was named 2019’s Mr. Saucon.

Calver may have won the judges over, but Ryan Holub, with his interpretive dancing, deadpan responses and flamingo floaty generated the most donations to earn the Mr. Personality moniker.

Ryan Holub won the Mr. Personality award for raising the most money to fight pediatric cancer.

Saucon Valley High School 2019 mini-THON!

On Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. SV mini-THON will host their biggest fundraising event of the year. SVHS mini-THON is currently seeking sponsorships and food donations for this event. C’mon and help SV mini-THON reach their goal! For more information on how you can help, please contact ke***********@sv********.org .

mini-THON will be hosting a dine and donate luncheon at Bagel Basket on Tuesday, March 26, from 10:30-12:30. It is an early dismissal day for Saucon Valley schools, so mini-THON is hoping lots of students, teachers and community members will stop in for an early lunch!