Mr. DHS contestants participate in the opening number.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
The 2024 Mr. DHS “The Beach Boys” pageant on May 31, not only showcased the talents of senior boys at Douglas High School, but a new award presented to the contestants raised more than $1,000 donations to Keep Tahoe Blue.
Through the newly added People’s Choice Award, students, staff and the audience voted for their favorite contestant by making a monetary donation before and during the pageant.
All of the money raised was donated to Keep Tahoe Blue.
Karen Lamb said the People’s Choice award was a way to give a back to the community.
“We get lots of donations to make grad night happen, and we need it, but these kids are also full of empathy in their heart, and they wanted to take this opportunity to give to something,” said Lamb, “and since it was a beach theme and we love Tahoe, we chose Keep Tahoe Blue.”
Contestant No. 8, Davie Johnson, was the recipient of the award.
“I was not expecting it,” said Johnson. “I feel very honored. This was the highlight of my year.”
Mr. Congeniality was awarded to Austin Pitts and Mateo Esquivel was crowned Mr. DHS.
“I honestly was not expecting it,” said Esquivel. “I honestly thought Austin had it, I mean did you see his performance; it was amazing, but I am very honored.”
Pitts’ performance was a lip sync and dance to Gene Kelley’s “Singing in the Rain,” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella.”
Pitts said it felt amazing to be recognized by his fellow contestants. Mr. Congeniality is given to the contestant who has a gift for getting along with others, who is friendly, vibrant, and is always looking out for their fellow contestants.
“It feels amazing, there’s no other group of people I would rather be with. Its super amazing and surreal, and I’m amped for the experience,” said Pitts.
Since 2007, more than 120 senior boys have completed for the crown of Mr. DHS, while showcasing such talents as this year’s drum solos, dancing, vocals, lip syncing, artistic interpretation of American painter Bob Ross, a creative beverage consumption, and past years’ synchronized swimming, trampoline routines, TED Talks, ribbon dancing, and more.
Put on by Douglas High School leadership club, the pageant is a fundraiser for the school’s Safe and Sober Grad Night.
Lamb said the students come up with the theme and all the intricacies of the event.
“It’s always the kids and again they blow us away with it,” she said.
