Associated Student Body (ASB) hosted the 21st annual Mr. Bulldog, a male pageant on Friday Apr. 18 that showcased the talents of various students as they competed to win a prize of $100. The event was held in the cafeteria with a Love Island theme based on the popular American reality dating show.
Tickets for the event was $8 presale and $10 at the door. This year there were seven contestants – seniors Danny Castro, Troy Negrete, Isaiah Hernandez, and Alex Negrete, juniors Cristian Lazo, Aiden Estrada, and sophomore Sebastian Quezada. Each contestant planned out a unique performance down the catwalk called a walk. As a part of their walk, they had the choice of including other students or concepts to add on to the entertainment. Their performances aimed to engage the audience and win the judges over. Alex Negrete conveyed that he found his outgoing character to be an advantage going into the competition.
“Just being a very positive and optimistic person is something I would say, I bring to the table,” Alex Negrete said.
Contestants participated in six different rounds including “A Night Out” “Best Costume,” “WestCo Island,” “Phone a Friend,” “WestCo’s Got Talent,” and “I Would Like to Thank.” These titles each have their own criteria of how to portray.
“A Night out” consists of the contestants dressing up as what their ideal date would look like. “Best Costume” had the contestants dress up as their best date idea and plan a skit. “WestCo Island” showed off each person’s school spirit. “Phone a Friend” had students call up their best friend and walk with them on the stage. “WestCo’s Got Talent” consists of each person showing off their best talent. “I would like to thank” involved bringing along a friend to match styles with. Throughout each walk, junior Cristian Lazo believed he put his passion into the show.
“I feel that I’m a good embodiment of the school and I feel like I’m one of the most creative out of everybody,” Lazo said.
Halfway through the show, Steven Telfair and Sabrina Ayala interviewed the contestants and asked about their favorite pickup lines and a show of their best dance moves. After contestant responses gave an intermission took place to prepare for the next act.
Near the end of the pageant, the category for the final walk was “I Would Like to Thank” where contestants brought out their inspirational person, a role model they look up to. Hernandez and Lazo brought along their best friends, while Alex Negrete, Troy Negrete, Quezada brought their mothers. Lazo also brought his mother’s best friend and Castro brought his father.
“When it was the final walk, I knew my mom was the best choice for my inspirational person as she has the power and determination that I get inspired from. She’s my person that I look up towards,” said Troy Negrete.
According to the judging guidelines, the judges reportedly looked for creativity, humor, Bulldog pride, personality, skills, and gratitude that stood out for each round. The judging panel consisted of English and Advanced Communication Honors teacher Ludivina Magana, math teacher Karon Walton and dance teacher Andrea Williams.
Ultimately, Estrada was crowned Mr. Bulldog and shared that winning Mr. Bulldog is a personal accomplishment he is proud of.
“Winning Mr. Bulldog feels like completing myself. This has been a project for a very long time. Me winning just feels like an accomplishment for myself, my ability to create this beautiful project and to make my own,” Estrada said.
Mr. Bulldog is a celebration of confidence, character, and individuality. Each contestant brought something unique to the stage, demonstrating that strength comes in personality, passion, and purpose.
