Vol. CI. IS. April 22, 2016
photos by Mr. Prusko
A growing double standard? Every year in April, Ashland High School puts on a theatrical production to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. The charity-centered male pageant, Mr. Grizz, has been a favorite at AHS for many years and normally sells out. Audiences enjoy its humor as well as its heartwarming nature. Mr. Grizz recruits two boys from each grade level to compete in raising the most money and wowing the judges. They even take a field trip to Asante Medical Center to visit the infants and children who benefit from the services provided by the Children’s Miracle Network. The participants make a huge commitment, spending hours in rehearsals, creating several exposes of their life and twerking out of their comfort zones. The eight boys learn and perform a choreographed group dance. Participants must identify and perform a talent. They write, film, and produce a video depicting “a day in the life.” Each contestant also creates a skit involving a young child that shows their childhood vision of what they wanted to be when they grew up. Competitors have the opportunity to present a rose and acknowledge the most inspirational person in their lives, and finally each aspiring Mr. Grizz answers spontaneous interview questions. At some point in the evening, the audience also hears a poignant, personal story from a benficiary of the Children’s Miracle Network. The male-only Mr. Grizz contest pokes fun at the stereotypical objectification of female beauty pageants, something many people find both amusing and lighthearted. In recent years, the Mr. Grizz Competition has taken a turn toward more provocative acts and dance moves, prompting community con-
by Skylar Zundel cern. Ashland High School math teacher, Tamara Anderson, believes that the sexualized nature of the show is “a reflection on our society” and exemplifies the “lowering of our standards.” Junior Evan Peck expressed that he would like for there to be a change, “It’s not so much about them being guys and doing that. I think it’s really about them being people who wouldn’t regularly do it. I think it’s a satirical pageant. I don’t feel like we have to make it exclusive to men and I don’t feel like it has to mock female beauty pageants in order to achieve that.” In light of these sentiments, the leadership class plans to broaden the scope of participants, like they did with the Homecoming Court a few years ago. Next year, Mr. Grizz has the potential to welcome contestants regardless of their gender identification. “I think the change isn’t that big of a deal. This is just another way to attract a more diverse, competitive group of contestants, and raise more money,” said ASB Co-presidentelect Amelia Zeve. The details of what this change may include are vague for the time being because it’s still early in the process. Leadership advisor and art teacher, Sam Scharf, is hopeful, “Next year we will get student feedback by having a survey or a town hall, or working with Student Senate. There’s no harm in including more people in Mr. Grizz. There’s a good potential that there will be a change, but it has to be driven by students.” Outgoing, talented, and willing contestants will be needed to make the event all that it can be and set it on a course to be not only entertaining but to also avoid the questionable elements of this event.