Photo courtesy Michael Whitty
Michael Whitty is crowned the 2017 Mr. MG.
Godwin names Michael Whitty 13th Mr. MG winner
The Mr. Mills E. Godwin pageant is a staple tradition within the Godwin community, bringing students together for a night of fun, laughter, and entertainment to raise money for the Make-A-Wish foundation. The pageant consists of an opening dance, a character round, a talent round, and a question round.
On Saturday, Jan. 21, the 13th annual Mr. MG pageant took place, crowning senior Michael Whitty as Mr. MG. Whitty has participated in the pageant for three years.
Other participants included seniors Mitchell Ashe, Kevin Crockett, Barrett Goode, Sam Lukanuski, John Magee, James Malaugh, Luca Mastromano, and Mitchell Wein, junior Charles Shelton, and sophomores Lachlan McLennan, Andrew Seccia, and Davis West.
After each round, four participants were eliminated until a final five was selected. This year’s judges consisted of Godwin attendance secretary Nancy Winston, the “Real Mr. MG” and longtime custodian Thomas Threatt, and the Make-A-Wish representative Abby Quinn.
All proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish foundation, an organization that helps grant wishes to kids with life-threatening diseases.
The Mr. MG pageant was hosted by P.E teacher Mark Brandenburger and SCA officers Jessica Besnier, Madison Bradley, Isabelle Clyde, and Wesley Dugger.
Character Round
For this round, the boys dressed up as different characters and were judged on both their execution and creativity.
First, Ashe, or Ms. Kim Kardashian West, showed up for the pageant with clear platform heels and a diamond necklace. A video was played where Ashe imitated each of the different characters in the show Keeping up with the Kardashians.
Crockett followed, performing with Ashe as actor Justin Timberlake and Tonight Show Host Jimmy Fallon in one of their well-known Saturday Night Live segments, “Camp Winnipesaukee”.
Goode took the audience back to their childhoods and told the true story of The Three Little Pigs. (Disclaimer: The Big Bad Wolf may not have been so bad after all).
Lukanuski showed Godwin that Jolene will never take his man with his impersonation of busty singer Dolly Parton.
Next, Magee portrayed Rick Harrison from the History Channel series Pawn Stars. Magee bought everything from the Godwin spirit stick to a dollar. However, he refused to purchase the Deep Run “spirit stick” and a Deep Run sweatshirt that he claimed wasn’t worth cleaning up after his dog with.
“Being a seasoned veteran, I wasn’t nervous at all about the show. I was excited and sad that it was my last show,” said Magee, who has participated in Mr. MG for three years.
Malaugh followed Magee and played OxiClean salesman Billy Mays, proving that OxiClean not only gets rid of stains, but can also get rid of Dolly Parton (Lukanuski) and Ms. Kim Kardashian West (Ashe).
Then, Mastromano played the iconic video game character and Italian plumber Mario, and raced to the finish line in his live-action version of Mario Kart.
McLennan reenacted the movie Step Brothers, starring as Brennan Huff, and was accompanied by sophomore Ethan Joynt who played Dale Dobak.
Next, Seccia revealed the curse of the “Forever Freshman” in a video displaying a PSA asking students to no longer confuse him with a freshman.
Shelton showed off his dance moves to help students land a date to prom through his reenactment of the Evolution of Hip Hop.
Following Shelton, Wein revealed the struggle of Richmond weather through his portrayal of a Southern mom of three facing “the blizzard of the century”. Watch out for black ice!
Then, West played local celebrity and Henrico County Public Schools Director of Communications and Relations Andy Jenks. West read Jenks’ most popular tweets, including the tweet announcing exam cancellations for high school students.
Whitty finished up the round with his performance of Mariah Carey’s New Year’s Eve lip-synching disaster, complete with the silken robe and luscious locks.
After a long deliberation, judges put Ashe, Crockett, Magee, Goode, Lukanuski, Malaugh, McLennan, West, and Whitty through to the next round.
Talent Round
In this round, the remaining contestants were required to showcase their best talents.
Ashe, with the help of last year’s Mr. MG Adam Miller, sang a song from Step Brothers with a video lamenting the loss of beloved restaurant Captain D’s to Cookout.
Crockett proved that he does not have two left feet with a swing dance starring dance team member senior Christine Johnson.
Next, Goode sang Frank Sinatra’s “Just the Way You Look Tonight” with a little tap dancing thrown in.
Lukanuski showed off his dance moves in his “Turnt Up” dance, which was cut short when dance team captain senior Logan Brocklehurst and pageant host Besnier stopped to criticize him.
Then, Magee performed an original rap titled “Straight Outta Godwin”. The crowd definitely witnessed the power of West-End knowledge.
Malaugh slowed things down with a tribute to departed teacher and head of the Center for Medical Sciences Todd Allen Phillips “TPhilly” with a guitar rendition of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” and an accompanying slide show in remembrance.
McLennan, next, rapped the entire alphabet with the song “Alphabet Aerobics” by Blackalicious.
West embraced the night’s Harry Potter theme with his magic routine to the tune to “Lazy Day” by Bruno Mars.
To finish off the round, Whitty sang two original songs titles “Shadows” and “Walking Out the Door” from his soon to be released album, Shadows. Whitty received a standing ovation from the crowd.
After another long deliberation, Ashe, Whitty, Magee, McLennan, and Crockett moved on to the final question round.
Question Round
For the final round, the contestants were asked a question and had to answer to the best of their ability while portraying wit and compassion.
Ashe was asked why becoming Mr. MG was important to him, answering that he believed the show brought students together and created a sense of unity.
Crockett was asked what is his greatest fear was and he explained that he feared any harm be caused to his sister and Godwin alum Jessie Crockett.
McLennan joked that he was most like Brandenburger due to them both having “luscious locks of hair”.
Magee, as well, answered why Mr. MG was so important to him.
“I was so emotional and started tearing up,” Magee said.
Last to answer, Whitty described himself in three words stating that he is enthusiastic, passionate, and most of all, hopeful.
Final Round
As the judges deliberated for the final time, the audience watched the making of Mr. MG. This year’s theme was Harry Potter, and the audience watched as the contestants took on the classic book characters and story. Ashe and Whitty traipsed around under what they thought was an invisibility cloak while Crockett showed his disappointment at the Sorting Hat casting him into Hufflepuff.
After the final decision was in, the five remaining contestants lined up along the stage. McLennan was fourth runner-up, Ashe was third runner-up, and Crockett was second runner-up.
It came down to Whitty and Magee. In the end, Whitty was crowned the 2017 Mr. MG winner, and Magee became first runner-up.
“Becoming Mr. MG is a lot more than the title and the crown. I have always told my friends and family that I am here for them, but becoming Mr. MG is me telling the school that I am here for anyone in the eagle family,” said Whitty.
Over $5,000 was raised for the Make-A-Wish foundation.
“I am proud to wear the crown with pride and determination to help Godwin become a more loving and inclusive environment. Just seeing the crowd fill the seats for the performance warms my heart not only because they came to support a group of wonderful guys but also, an amazing foundation, Make-A-Wish,” said Whitty.
West embraced the night’s Harry Potter theme with his magic routine to the tune of “Lazy Day” by Bruno Mars.
To finish off the round, Whitty sang two original songs titled “Shadows” and “Walking Out the Door” from his soon to be released album, Shadows. Whitty received a standing ovation from the crowd.
After another long deliberation, Ashe, Whitty, Magee, McLennan, and Crockett moved on to the final question round.
Question Round
For the final round, the contestants were asked a question and had to answer to the best of their ability while portraying wit and compassion.
Ashe was asked why becoming Mr. MG was important to him, answering that he believed the show created a sense of unity.
Crockett was asked what his greatest fear was, and he explained that he feared any harm coming to his sister and Godwin alum Jessie Crockett.
McLennan joked that he was most like Brandenburger due to them both having “luscious locks of hair”.
Magee, as well, answered why Mr. MG was so important to him.
“I was so emotional and started tearing up,” said Magee.
Last to answer, Whitty described himself in three words, stating that he is enthusiastic, passionate, and most of all, hopeful.
Final Round
As the judges deliberated for the final time, the audience watched the making of Mr. MG.
This year’s theme was Harry Potter, and the audience watched as the contestants took on the classic book characters and story. Ashe and Whitty traipsed around under what they thought was an invisibility cloak while Crockett showed his disappointment at the Sorting Hat casting him into Hufflepuff.
After the final decision was in, the five remaining contestants lined up along the stage. McLennan was fourth runner-up, Ashe was third runner-up, and Crockett was second runner-up.
It came down to Whitty and Magee. In the end, Whitty was crowned the 2017 Mr. MG winner, and Magee became first runner-up.
“Becoming Mr. MG is a lot more than the title and the crown. I have always told my friends and family that I am here for them, but becoming Mr. MG is me telling the school that I am here for anyone in the eagle family,” said Whitty.
Over $5,000 was raised for the Make-A-Wish foundation.
“I am proud to wear the crown with pride and determination to help Godwin become a more loving and inclusive environment. Just seeing the crowd fill the seats for the performance warms my heart, not only because they came to support a group of wonderful guys but also an amazing foundation, Make-A-Wish,” said Whitty.
