Gut-busting talents, stunning swimwear, and an insightful Q&A session all made up the journalism department’s annual Mr. North Harford pageant.

With a crown and bragging rights on the line, the contestants stepped up their game. But only one man could be named king and that man was senior Tyler Ziegler. Opening the night rocking a snazzy suit and cane ensemble, Ziegler made a statement early on in the event. For swimwear, he sported a gutsy coconut bra and sarong outfit.

With help from fellow  senior contestant Ryan Fochler, Ziegler had the time of his life performing his talent. Literally. Ziegler and Fochler put their own spin on the iconic final dance scene from Dirty Dancing. They even executed the challenging lift Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey couldn’t nail on their first try.

“I didn’t expect to win I was surprised. I thought Alec Presley or Scott Angstadt would have won, but I am alated I won,” said Mr. North Harford winner, senior Tyler Ziegler.

When the time came for the judges to decide the winner, the competition was so stiff that only half of a point separated first from second place.

“This was my third year judging the Mr. North Harford contest and by far the most difficult to choose a winner. It was such a great group of young men, and they were willing to go amazing lengths to prove their worthiness for the title,” said judge Joanna Dallam.

It was no wonder the competition was so close; the boys pulled out all the stops for their talents. There was an abstract artist, a man who knew everything, and a Christmas elf who traveled south for the contest. The boys’ talents showcased a wide variety of skill that students at North Harford have. Seniors Patrick O’Leary and Alec Presley had an epic lip sync battle that put Jimmy Fallon’s and Emma Stone’s to shame. Sophomore Andy Miller, the youngest competitor this year, brought members of  the esteemed drumline for his talent.  The stakes were high, but the boys still helped their competitors with their talents.

“The talent part of the competition was my favorite part. It was awesome doing my talent and helping the other guys with theirs,” said senior Scott Angstadt.

Besides their extraordinary talents, the boys of Mr. North Harford also impressed the judges with their dance moves.  The boys danced  to a mashup  of songs compiled by seniors Colleen Patton and Holly Ciampaglio.

“The boys really impressed me with their moves and stage presences. They were all truly committed to making it look good during rehearsal which translated into the performance,” said Patton.

With a snow day the day before the show, the contestants only had four days to work on the actual stage and prepare their wardrobe changes. But the guys held it together. “Considering the snow day took away some valuable rehearsal time, the boys really buckled down and put on a show everybody loved,” said one of the event’s emcee Alexis Lyttle.

Boys of North Harford, start planning talents and wardrobe changes now: Mr. North Harford is only a year away. And only the best boy will win.