A brief from the Pine View 2012 Yearbook, The View. “King of the Jungle” written by Manuela Baron.
After several years of announcing the annual Mr. Pine View competition,
English teacher Mr. Blake Wiley gave up the microphone and took a seat as a judse. Alongside faculty members Mrs. Roma Jagdish and Mrs.
Maryanne Lewis, Mr. Wiley judged the boys in the talent, formal, and casual components of the show.
Known for his commanding, yet engaging voice, Junior Hunter McLaren was chosen to be the new show announcer. Doors were guarded as ticket sales sold out early to students and families coming to see the boys compete for the crown. Eleven boys showcased their talents, which ranged from singing to dancing to stand-up comedy.
Senior Joshua Dinenberg combined stand-up comedy and dancing as his act: “I thought it would be funny to portray an Iron Man Musical and my brother helped me out by dancing with me,” said Dinenberg.
Also incorporating family members, Senior Christopher Roland had his second grade brother, Carson, sing along with him to the song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” even dressing him up as the ‘little blue bird’. Roland said, “I’m a senior and it’s my brother first year at Pine View, so it was great to be able to share this senior moment with him.
The show wrapped with a randomized mystery question posed to each of the final four contestants. Seniors Charles Sulesky, Patrick Braga, Jason Conway, along with Junior Arjun Byju made up the final four as they gripped hands while awaiting the results.
The People’s Choice award, presented to the competitor with the greatest amount of audience votes, was given to Junior Arjun Byju. Byju garnered audience support with a display of the hip-hop dance moves featured on MTV’s MADE. The sold-out crowd cheered as directors Sarah Lubiner, junior, and Ashton Garber, senior, crowned Conway Mr. Pine View and McLaren announced Braga as runner-up.
“It was great to work and see the behind-the-scenes of the show,” said McLaren. “I got to know each competitor well during rehearsals, so it was exciting to see their anticipation, as well as the results.”