Zac Main crowned Mr. La Cañada

All eight court members for Mr. La Cañada brought something different to the stage on March 27 for the second annual male beauty pageant, whether it was speed painting a landscape by hand, rapping a Blackalicious track or making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

After the wildly popular and satirical show ended, with student Zac Main taking home the crown, the Associated Student Body at La Cañada High School reported that approximately $1,071 was raised for the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization founded by “Law and Order SVU” actress Mariska Hargitay with a mission to heal, educate and empower the survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.

PHOTOS: Second annual Mr. La Cañada pageant

Adviser Bill Lively brought the event from Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton two years ago. Last year, the school raised funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

“The rehearsals. The jokes. These guys will remember it forever,” Lively said. “They’re making memories.”

Audience members were always hanging onto the next joke, including the humorous, non-stop banter from the show’s emcees Josh Cabello and Hayley Chung. Junior Victor Pauken said he enjoyed the performance of the drummer — court member and senior Gavin Huynh — the most.

“It was so much fun,” said Nick Malone, senior, who rapped Blackalicious’ song ‘Alphabet Aerobics.’ “I got to know these guys better.”

Senior Ben Blanco, who held the cooking demonstration on stage, said he had never been in theatre but enjoyed the opportunity.

ASB Vice President Sarah Sellman, one of three producers behind this year’s Mr. La Cañada, said it was great to learn from everyone involved.

“It keeps getting better,” she said.

Assistant Principal Jim Cartnal took in the entirety of the show, crediting Lively for bringing it to the high school.

“The kids think it’s great,” he said. “It’s a great community builder because it represents the actions of the ASB and a successful student body, and it brings a great turnout of satire and brilliant mockery.”

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Matt Sanderson is a freelance writer.