Meet Mr. Bulldog

Twelve male seniors from Burbank High School strut their stuff in evening gowns during the annual beauty pageant that began three years ago.Since the pageant began three years ago, the title of “Mr. Bulldog” has been an illustrious one.

To get it, the men of Burbank High School’s senior class must demonstrate that they can dance, sing and look ravishing in an evening gown.

On Thursday night, 12 young men from the class of 2006 competed in what has become a production known most for the women’s clothing the contestants must don.

“As soon as we signed up for this, we threw out our pride, dignity and any ounce of self-respect,” laughed Tony Espinoza, who had “Mr. September” scrawled across his shirt. “We’re going in front of our whole school and shaking our rumps.”

The competitors spent the week finding clothes and preparing their talent for the event, which included judging in swimwear, evening gowns, talent and a question and answer session with the president and vice presidents of the school’s Associated Student Body.

“They love the attention,” said Courtney Korb, co-vice-president of Associated Student Body. “They’ve really surprised us.”

The contestants went above and beyond in learning the dance moves to the opening sequence and coming up with their own clothing to wear, Courtney said.

“I didn’t have any short shorts,” said John Anderson, aka “Mr. July,” who was sporting a women’s bathing suit under a ripped shirt and shorts. “So two of my friends went into their closet and came up with this.”

The event began three years ago as way to help the senior class fund their prom.

More than 200 students attended the event, each willing to shell out $5 to see their classmates perform.

“We’re doing this for our whole school, basically,” said “Mr. May, Miguel Chavez. “We’re doing it for prom.”

The 12 contestants were selected by a group of teachers from 24 applicants.

To make it to the big pageant, the contestants had to show off the talents they would be performing in the last section of the show.

“I didn’t really have a talent,” said Chris Kachline.

“I saw my little brother walking to get picked up and I said, ‘Hey, I can jump over him.’”

In the pageant, Chris donned a tutu and leapt a shopping cart.

Others had more conventional talents. Mr. January, Jeff Hensiek, put on a cape and sang a song about being a superhero.

Mr. July performed a ribbon dance wearing red tights and a pink tutu. Tony performed a monologue.

The winner of the pageant, Raffael Nahapetian, memorized the entire dance sequence from the film “Napoleon Dynamite.”

“It took me about three full days to learn,” Raffael said. I’ve got it down pretty well.”

As winner of the pageant, Raffael received a $100 check and the respect of teachers and fellow students

“People understand that this took a lot of courage,” Tony said.

* LAUREN HILGERS covers education.

She may be reached at (818) 637-3205 or by e-mail at lauren.hilgers@latimes.com.