What happens when 20 of Ladue’s male students compete for the title of the most beloved? Simple: they begin the race for Mr. Ladue. The pageant was held in the Performing Arts Center March 13 and hosted by Ladue’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. Out of the eight juniors and 15 seniors, senior Caleb Ellis, “Mr. Legacy,” was crowned the winner of the fourth annual Mr. Ladue Pageant.

This year’s pageant went back to a previous method that was altered last year; instead of two boys competing against each other in an activity, the talent portion of the show was reinstated in order to narrow the pool down to the top five. Such talents included beautiful rhythmic gymnastics, spot-on karaoke, an insightful poetry reading and even counting the number of marshmallows one

contestant could stuff into his mouth.

“The entire night was hilarious, I just went with the mood,” senior David Streid, “Mr. NHS,” said. “If you can’t make fun of yourself then you have nothing.”

Ladue’s Habitat for Humanity chapter was responsible for organizing such a fun and enjoyable show for Ladue parents, students and teachers. Sponsor and math teacher Debra Carson, and presidents senior Lila Greenberg, Jake Goffstein, Susan Mandelker and Marina May did the heavy lifting.

“We’ve been working on [the pageant] for about three months,” Goffstein said. “I just like how the competition puts on a great show for the audience and that [the proceeds] go to a good cause.”

Hosting the show was senior Jody Peterson and social studies teacher Eric Hahn, who filled the transitions with their comical banter. The judges chosen to evaluate the boys’ dancing, talents and questionnaires were faculty members who the Habitat for Humanity club believed would have the most fun with the show. The arbiters chosen included technology consultant Adam Stirrat, Latin teacher Ann Rittenbaum, social studies teacher Dave Sonius and guidance counselor Dave Tabscott.

“It was fun, [the judges and I] sat back and watched the boys steal the show,” Tabscott said. “Although Dr. Hahn was in a close second.”

As for the boys, a nomination by a coach or sponsor of their sport or club was required before the Habitat for Humanity presidents could chose their name to enter the pageant.

To begin the competition, Hahn and Peterson introduced the boys, who then proceeded to give the judges a memorable first impression by answering the question ‘Why do you think you should be Mr. Ladue?’ The top ten, seniors Caleb Ellis, Jehu Chesson, Salmon Mahmood, Michael Hampton, David Streid, Grant Schalk, Hamm Hooper, Josh Wolderufael, juniors Charlie Jonas and Jeet Das, continued onto the talent round.

“The whole night was absolutely phenomenal to work with all the guys and to help a great organization,” Wolderufael said.

Once the talents were proven, the judges narrowed their search for Mr. Ladue down to the top five: seniors Caleb Ellis, Jehu Chesson, David Streid, Grant Scalk and junior Jeet Das. Each boy was asked a question to answer in the most appropriate and adequate way. Streid stated the items in his tool belt if he were ever to build a house, including a cell phone to call for assistance, Das described his perfect date down to the music that would be played and Ellis charmed the crowd with his desire to be a werewolf over a vampire if he were ever to play a role in the “Twilight” franchise.

Based on these answers, the judges dubbed the final two Streid and Ellis who competed in an

intense dance competition. Ellis was ultimately crowned the winner.

“Even though winning Mr. Ladue has been a life long dream of mine, it was still amazing to help out Habitat for Humanity,” Ellis said. “Hanging out with some of the coolest guys in the school wasn’t bad either.”

The pageant raised more than $3,000 which will go to Habitat for Humanity and help future students who want to participate in the club in the coming years. In the end, Carson stresses that the fun and joviality of the show is ultimately for a good cause.

“I just really like the idea of a group working so hard, which this group definitely did, for not only a charity but also for future students,” Carson said. “That’s always the goal.” #