Every spring, eight of Ashland High School’s best young men come together to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network in the annual Mr. Grizz pageant. This year, freshmen Paul Shubat and Gabe Lehrburger, sophomores Gabe Young and Seve Bortman, juniors Jericho Apollo and Brandon Vaughan and seniors Garret Ewing and Forrest Kollar represented the school in the male pageant.

After the famous dance, videos of the contestants’ lives, the talent portion, a brief interview, the introduction of each contestant’s significant person and a brief interlude from the MCs Ian Smeek and Jonah Freedman, last year’s Mr. Grizz, Noah Yaconelli crowned this year’s king: Forrest Kollar. Garret Ewing won the two hundred dollar prize for raising the most money, which he graciously gave to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Through all the fun and games, every contestant and audience member kept in mind the importance of what Mr. Grizz does. This year’s child, Sophia, who was born at a mere two pounds and spent weeks in a Medford Hospital’s NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), was an adorable reminder to why these eight young men stand up in front of the school and take part in a male pageant.

Here are some highlights of this year’s Mr. Grizz!