Tolland High School Crowns 2012 Mr. THS

The glitterati were out in full force on Friday night, strutting their stuff on the catwalk and wearing what's "haute," as style mavens often do. We're not talking the ladies here, we're talking about the 11 contestants who were vying for the title of Mister Tolland High School on March 23.

The seventh annual Mr. THS Pageant featured seniors in a good-natured, high-spirited competition, as the young men entertained the audience with choreographed group numbers, individual talents comprised of singing, cheerleading, stand-up comedy, Zumba and more, as well as interviews filled with levity and quick-thinking responses.

Colleen Roy and Jacey Trice served as hostesses of the show, emceeing, interviewing the contestants and getting feedback from the judges.

Voting came from the judges - Todd Blais, Megan Kirwin, Lisa Lyon-Visny, the "Voice" of Tolland High School and "Fire Fighter Dennis" - and from students, who paid $1 each for votes which they stuffed into individual ballot boxes.

The 2012 Mr. THS contestants were Dan Kennedy, Matt Caron, Brett Akerley, Mark Ferrigno, Patrick Stavens, Matt Susca, Matt Beckius, Colton Bridge, Austin Didden, Ben Braz and Ryan Possardt. After an amazing performance of Time of Your Life from Dirty Dancing, it was Colton Bridge who walked off with the crown and title of Mr. THS 2012.

"It felt great winning because that was actually the first time I hadn't dropped Jessica," Bridge remarked after the show of his girlfriend Jessica Olson, who had "Dirty Danced" alongside him.

Fellow contestant, Patrick Stavens, said he wasn't surprised that Bridge won. "Colton is a great guy, very friendly, nice and clever. He's the king pin of the school, and everyone loves him. He and Jess put a lot of time and effort into their act. I'm happy he won, he deserved it."

Time and effort were definitely something that many people put into the show, which went off without a hitch. Besides the judges and contestants, approximately 30 individuals were responsible for its success, including advisors, Betsy Brocious and Nancy McGrath.

"I am surprised it turned out as well as it did," laughed Stavens. "We literally were rehearsing hours before the show, and Mrs. Brocious was sweating bullets over it."

Bridge plans on diving and playing soccer at Bentley University this coming fall, while Stavens will be heading to Maine College of Art, where he plans to major in Illustration.

Certainly all of these teenagers who are graduating this year will be missed by their Tolland High family, as their love of THS and school spirit were clearly evident in their words and performances that evening.

Orders for DVDs of the show were taken during a 20-minute intermission. If you would like a DVD of the 2012 Mr. THS Pageant, contact the school at 860-870-6818. Proceeds from the show benefit various classes.