Mr. Kodiak—Quentin Farrell the Winner Among 10 Fine Contestants

The tradition of the Mr. Kodiak fundraiser began thirteen years ago, when this year’s ten contestants were in kindergarten. Over that time, the event, a pageant reinvented and chockful of playful irreverence, has become much-anticipated and draws a full house to the Cascade High School (CHS) commons to watch the contestants and their escorts brave the spotlight.

There was a dramatic one-by-one entrance of the seniors, who each represented a character of the theme, “My Animated Life.” Thus, the laughter began as Dora the Explorer, Shaggy from Scooby Doo, Aladdin, Shrek and more sauntered onto the stage. Vincent Slette, aka Russell from Up, hiked along in a full boy scout kit and his escort, Zoe Boggs, gave the judges “bribe” money as they passed their table.

The first test of poise was for each to answer the question, “Why do you want to be Mr. Kodiak?” and to impress the judges and audience with a pick-up line with varying degrees of taste. A few contestants, such as Jesse Gunter, aka Rio, a vision of swaggering blue with shiny pants, a boa and tiny wings, mentioned older brothers who had competed before them as incentive to win.

Clint Strand, former radio host on KOHO, current director of public relations at Cascade Medical, has served as the longtime MC, and he did his fair share of keeping the levity up with his rejoinders to the contestants’ antics.

The Mr. Kodiak committee seeks to honor five community members with the chance to be a judge, and this year, the judges were school board member Judy Derpack, Nick Runions, CSD parent and MC fill-in last year when Strand came down with laryngitis, teacher Mark Hassinger, firefighter Mike Smith, and Sheriff Mike Morrison, who had served as a CSD resource officer in the past.

Next up, the ten competitors took the stage in matching unbuttoned shirts and colorful swim trunks for a fitness routine, giving them chances to show off muscular prowess and comical faux fighting sequences. CSD parent and choreographer Mia Bretz deserves the credit for turning this loose assemblage into something resembling a dance troupe over the course of several practices.

The talent portion of the night gave each senior a chance to shine for two minutes. There were several dishy dance numbers, an electric guitar piece, yoga, and some balloon animal making. Tonio Aurilio gave a martial arts demo with his friend and escort Evan Butruille, displaying skill at breaking tiny pieces of wood, “fighting through the pain,” as he said, of salt in the eyes and busting through a wall that happened to be made of butcher paper. Slette gave a powerful rapping rendition of Dr. Seuss’s There’s a Wocket in My Pocket.

Quentin Farrell’s saxophone solo of “Careless Whisper,” alternating between smooth, poignant and wailing, was a crowd favorite and received thunderous applause.

CHS and IRMS staff showed off their talent too when they performed a synchronized and lively dance to videogame-inspired music.

The final scored event had each contestant answer an impromptu question, which might have helped clench the victory for Farrell, because he gave an elaborate answer as to why a website would do a cover story on him, saying he’d be a Time “Person of the Year” because of his Minecraft skills, solving world problems, and gorgeous hair.

The judges went off to deliberate while Strand helped fill the fundraiser coffers by calling out desserts to be auctioned. All ticket sales, silent auction and dessert auction money earned at Mr. Kodiak goes to pay for the senior trip and the graduation party.

Strand, armed with the judges’ decisions, gave each contestant an honorary title and the escorts placed sashes on them. It came down to Slette and Farrell. One would be “First Loser” and the other “Mr. Kodiak.” When Slette was announced “First Loser,” Farrell gave what was probably the most boisterous and infectiously joyous display of winning ever seen. Everyone wore huge smiles on their faces.

“Beforehand, our nerves were rising, and finally, when it was go time, it was like flow, and everyone nailed their acts,” said Farrell. “We were all in sync, with a goal of having a fun competition, raising money for our senior class, and having a good time doing it.”