Mr. OCHS 2024 Greg Mason gives the audience a wave. (Photos by Samantha Beckmann)
By MADDY VITALE
After a year on hiatus, the Mr. OCHS pageant was back on Wednesday night in all its silliness and splendor with seven Ocean City High School seniors vying for the crown.
They danced. They sang. They even did standup comedy. But in the end, there could be only one crown head and the honor went to Greg Mason.
Greg, 17, wowed the audience with a dance and lip sync routine to “Roses” by the band “Outkast.” Students Melody Kuchler and Greg’s sister, Kiki Mason, lent their dancing and gymnastic abilities to the performance as well.
The other contestants were Matt Murray, Dan Guy, Sean Walls, Robby Neville, Ryan Mulraney and James Swan.
All the contestants entertained the audience with enthusiastic opening and closing numbers to the show.
The contestants were judged on entrance with an escort, formal wear, interview, fitness routine, free expression and casual wear.
Ryan Mulraney sang “She Loves Me” from the musical by the same name, which was a hit among the crowd and the judges. He was runner-up.
Dan Guy won the Students’ Choice Award. All the contestants received gifts courtesy of local merchants.
After the show, Greg said he was thrilled to be crowned the new Mr. OCHS.
“This is surreal, honestly,” he said, while surrounded by family and friends. “I believe 23 years ago my uncle, Adam, won Mr. OCHS. So I am carrying the torch.”
He said he hesitated to sign up to be in the show.
“I’m glad I did,” Greg said. “It was a great experience.”
Each year, teacher and coach John Bruno acts as master of ceremonies while adding his comedic approach to the event.
The show is put on every year by the cheerleaders with the help of their coaches, Brenda Colon-Smith and Aashini Patel.
This year’s student emcees were Abby Leypoldt and Gianna Molinari. Audrey Hay and Lea Walker were in charge of choreography and they were also the stage crew in addition to Bella Foglio.
Judges were Damon Bready, Kerri Janto and Maddy Vitale, OCNJDaily.com reporter and the author of this story.
