West Henderson High School Raises Over $66,000 in 3rd Annual Mr. WHHS
Pageant for Hurricane Helene Victims
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 17, 2024) - On Saturday, December 7, 2024, the West Henderson
High School (WHHS) DECA chapter hosted its 3rd Annual Mr. WHHS Pageant. This year’s event was a
collaborative effort between Henderson, McDowell, and Watauga counties to raise funds for families
affected by Hurricane Helene. The students set an ambitious goal of $30,000 and more than doubled it,
raising over $66,000. West Henderson High School alone raised $27,446. .
Forty-one contestants participated, each raising a minimum of $200, while their escorts raised at least
$100 each. These efforts, along with generous contributions from individuals and local businesses, made
this year’s event a resounding success.
The Mr. WHHS Pageant is an all-male pageant created to support families in the Henderson County
Public Schools (HCPS) community who have experienced significant losses or are facing major medical
challenges. This year’s pageant expanded its impact, raising funds for families affected by Hurricane
Helene in three different counties.
Alison Garrett, marketing teacher and DECA advisor, said “I am constantly inspired by what our students
can achieve when they are empowered to take the lead. Their dedication and creativity, combined with
the incredible support from our community, make this event truly special. The Mr. WHHS Pageant is a
shining example of what happens when people come together for a common purpose, and I couldn’t be
more proud of everyone involved.”
Mr. WHHS is a student-run event. Students select the theme, organize backstage operations, manage
the light and sound booth, choreograph the opening dance, write the script, create programs, choose
decorations, and spearhead fundraising efforts. The event highlights the capabilities and creativity of
WHHS students when given the opportunity to shine.
Two-year contestant and senior Holden Hamlin reflected, “Being involved in Mr. WHHS is something
special. There is truly nothing like it and the impact we get to make in our community is incredible.”
Three-year contestant and senior Jake DeBiase added, “Mr. WHHS allows us to reach out to the
community and help others. It’s an overall amazing experience.”
This year’s theme, “A Holly Jolly Mr. WHHS,” featured competitions in both a “wears” category and a
talent showcase. In the “wears” portion, contestants presented their interpretations of their favorite
holiday traditions or their favorite cartoon characters. The talent competition included standout acts such
as “Synchronized Swimming”, “Bop to the Top”, and a moving rendition of “Carol of the Bells” performed
on guitar and violin.
Mission: HCPS will provide all students the opportunity to learn and the encouragement to succeed in a safe environment. We will honor the individual and nurture the potential of all children.
Vision: Every student will achieve success and graduate as a life-long learner, globally competitive, prepared for career, college, and life.
NEWS RELEASE Cont’d.
Award Winners:
● Mr. WHHS: Eli Clonch
● People’s Choice: Christian Acosta
● Mr. Sexy Legs: Roscoe Greene
● Mr. Money Maker: Kian Holden and Braydn Ross
● Administrator’s Choice: Brayden Settle, John Dotti, and Jackson Guinn
● Mr. Congeniality: Kian Holden
● Top Five: Christian Acosta, Eli Clonch, John Dotti, Kian Holden, and Tyson Sem
The Mr. WHHS title is determined by a panel of four judges from the school system. This year’s judges
were Daniel Holbert, Ashley Toler, Amy Zalevskiy, and Sergey Zalevskiy.
The event was overseen by Alison Garrett, with Jaylen Robinson serving as backstage director. Caroline
Frampton, Emma Bryson, Cole Reasoner, and Brandon Shipley acted as stage managers, while Hudson
McEntire and Lucas Shuler handled sound and lighting. Sara Kim led the front-of-house team. DECA
state officer Aubrey Garrett and DECA member Elijah Furr emceed the event, and the opening dance
was choreographed by Cole Reasoner.
Special thanks to Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More for donating and printing the event t-shirts, to Braydn
Ross for creating the “Man Enough” video and to The Henderson County Education Foundation for
providing invaluable support by managing the online donation site and tracking contributions.
This pageant is a testament to what students can achieve when they come together for a meaningful
cause.
The following students competed in the pageant along with their escorts:
Senior Contestants:
Christian Acosta escorted by Alex Pickard
Brayden Barksdale escorted by Harper Sikorski
Seth Buttry escorted by Alysia Madera
Carson Cathey escorted by Peyton Lindsey
Drew Chavez escorted by Katelyn Day
Eli Clonch, escorted by Rylee Lecker
Jake DeBiase escorted by Campbell Riddell
John Dotti escorted by Addison Simpson
Nathan Gambrell escorted by Jamie Wright
Roscoe Greene escorted by Charlot Anne Jackson
Holden Hamlin escorted by Noelle Houllihan
Isaac Hendrix escorted by Raelie Melton
Kian Holden escorted by Sofie Ruzich
Royce Johnston escorted by Kaia Filipovic
Dellen Mel escorted by Lily Barrett
Tyson Sem escorted by Allison Justus
Brayden Settle escorted by Emery Sprouse
Cameron Simons escorted by Emily Young
Bennett Spray escorted by Kinley Andress
NEWS RELEASE Cont’d.
Zach Stanley escorted by Emma Bryson
Neil Robinson escorted by Nyla Carroll
Junior Contestants:
Jackson Boughtner escorted by Makenna Norman
Lucas Cook escorted by Kaeley O’Malley
Jackson Guinn escorted by Haylee Bader
Matthew Lupo escorted by Elliot Holliday
Jake McCrimmon escorted by Bailey Sosha
Brady Merrill escorted by Abigail Garnett
Braydn Ross escorted by Ailah Mihner
Colson Ross escorted by Arden Sullivan
Elijah Shreffler escorted by Haley Littrell
Josh Sorrell escorted by Alexis Henline
Stratton Taylor escorted by Kailey Chavez
Sophomore Contestants:
Grant Angel escorted by Liz Cano
Chase Childers escorted by Alaya Tessnair
Daniel DeBiase escorted by Lillie Thompson
Ethan Roth escorted by Morgan English
Freshmen Contestants:
Obie Greene escorted by Kaiya Gritsavage
Kamden Holliday escorted by Peyton Carpenter
Noah Howard escorted by Lexy Mannon
Raymond Lecker escorted by Kaili Lewis
Brady McCollin escorted by June Scontras
The West Henderson High School DECA Chapter would like to thank the following businesses and
organizations who donated financially or created raffle baskets:
Arby’s (DECA Platinum Level Partner), the Givens Estate (DECA Gold Level Partner), Big Frog Custom
T-Shirts & More, Bash & Co. Salon, Norafin, Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill, Blue Ridge Expressions, Gift
Baskets by Melissa, Cano Wealth Strategies, LLC, Hamlin Creative, Blue Ridge Real Estate, Postero,
Flat Rock Playhouse, Air Vent Exteriors, Council on Aging for Henderson County, Western Carolina Tool
& Mold, and Arsenal Pest Management.
We would also like to thank the following schools for their financial support or donation of a raffle basket:
Atkinson Elementary, Clear Creek Elementary, Dana Elementary, East Henderson High School, Etowah
Elementary, Flat Rock Middle School, Glenn C. Marlow Elementary, Henderson County Career Academy,
Henderson County Early College, Hendersonville Elementary, Hendersonville High School, Hillandale
Elementary, Sugarloaf Elementary, Rugby Middle School, and West Henderson High School.
