WESTFIELD, – Westfield State University will hold its fourth annual Mr. Westfield pageant on Saturday March 28 at 7:30 p.m. on Dever Stage in Parenzo Hall to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Hosted by the Class of 2015 and Class of 2017, Mr. Westfield is a pageant featuring some of the young men of Westfield State. Contestants will participate in a number of categories that include talent, outfit of choice, question and answer, formal wear, and fundraising. The contenders are then scored by a panel of judges who consist of university staff and faculty members, and one Westfield State student is crowned “Mr. Westfield.”
The pageant contestants consist of one male representative from each residential building on campus, as well as one representative from each class on campus. Contestants this year include, Dan Fullam ’15 (Mr. 2015), John Bartel ’15 and Patrick Bartel ’15 (Mr. and Mr. Apartment Complex), Nicholas Odell ’15 (Commuter), Nicholas Smarra ’15 (New Hall), Jeff Gruber ’16 (University Hall), Justin Connolly ’16 (Mr. 2016), Jon Cubetus ’17 (Lammers Hall), Andrew Manchino ’17 (Mr. 2017), Wayne Barnaby ’17 (Landsdowne Place), Anthony Swenson ’18 (Dickinson Hall), and Miles Cipriano ’18 (Davis Hall).
Instead of giving the winning contestant a monetary prize, all of the proceeds are donated to a cause supported by the community.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an organization that grants spectacular wishes for children with terminal illnesses. Make-A-Wish granted 14,000 wishes last year alone. On average, one wish is granted for a terminally ill child every 38 minutes. The foundation thrives on donations from other organizations, such as Westfield State’s Mr. Westfield pageant.
Organized by Class of 2015 President Richard Darrach, Westfield State has raised $12,000 in the past three years and has successfully granted two wishes. Since the 1980s, Westfield State has raised approximately $40,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through other programs and events.
“The work Make-A-Wish do is so inspiring. To see the look on a child’s face when he or she has their wish granted is beyond words. We hope to raise $7,500 this year, which is the cost for one wish,” said Darrach.
Darrach, who also works as a resident assistant and Student Ambassador, has been diligently working on the event, holding weekly rehearsals and working with the Class of 2017 since the two will be co-hosting together.
“It’s an opportunity for students to get involved and really meet some new people,” said Darrach. “The contestants have been working so hard and the show is going to be the best one yet.”
Tickets for Mr. Westfield are $3 for students, children, and seniors, and $5 for general admission. Tickets will be sold at the door.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in the United States that arranges experiences for children with life-threatening medical conditions. The national headquarters and founding chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation are in Phoenix, AZ. The organization grants wishes through its 62 chapters located throughout the US. Make-A-Wish also operates in 47 other countries around the world through 36 affiliate offices. To learn more about Make-A-Wish and how you can help grant a child’s wish, please visit http://wish.org/.
