Fenton High School Crowns 'Mr. Fenton'

The Fenton High School theater department crowned senior Bryan Terry as Mr. Fenton 2011-12 during its annual pageant Friday night, cheered on by a raucous crowd of supporters.

The event at featured eight of the school’s theater students vying for the title. The competition included a series of pageant-lampooning performances.

“Everyone here tonight did a great job, and I’m very happy,” said Terry, who bested his fellow performers to win the crown.

The first half of the show included two modeling segments, separated by the first of two talent portions of the event.

The first modeling performance had the students strut their best casual wear outfits on the runway. Four of the eight contestants then competed in a talent show, which featured singing performances, as well as a hamburger eat-off.

A Best in Shorts modeling segment closed out the first half of the show, eliciting roaring applause from the crowd of students and teachers.

“We were a little strapped this year for people,” said Terry, who explained that each year, the competition shoots for 10 contestants. Recruitment this year went down to the wire, he said, “but luckily, we had really good talent.”

The second half of the show opened with the talent performances of the remaining four contestants and wrapped up with a ritzy formal-wear modeling segment.

Among the second-half talent performances was a  lively rendition Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” by Spenser Frownwelter, with bandmates Mike Rodd on guitar, John Guzowski on bass and Anthony Schoen on drums.

Another highlight was a comedy routine by Jake McKenny, who strolled out onto the stage in his Wendy’s uniform and went on to skewer the fast-food franchise with a series of jokes and zany anecdotes.

Aside from the yearly Mr. Fenton show, the school’s theater department has another talent show on its calendar, which last year it substituted with the school’s version of American Idol, titled “Fenton Idol.”

Fenton High School theater director Lori Thompson explained that organizers use the shows to promote the department’s offerings, and to help raise funding through donations.

The events are free, although attendees are encouraged to donate as much as they can afford (usually a dollar or two) to help support the department’s performances.

Sophomore Gabe Jamison took second place, and sophomore Jacob Lange came in third in Friday's competition.

Terry was crowned by last year’s Mr. Fenton, sophomore Jacob Rositano.

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