Crowning Glory

Students showcased their talents and garnered laughs at 6 p.m., Tuesday, for the Mr. and Mrs. Spring Days contest in the Backyard.

This year, Mr. and Mrs. Spring Days was organized in partnership with Student Senate and Residence Life Association. The contest consisted of three rounds, including a talent portion, question and answer segment and a fashion show. 

Seven contestants showcased their talents in front of about 40 students. The event introduced three judges: Taylor Osmotherly, Director of Housing and Residence Life Association, Megan Northrup, Student Affairs Student Activities Coordinator and Aaron Wood, senior of Ogallala, Spring Days committee member and senator of Liberal Arts.

According to Wood, Mr. And Mrs. Spring Days went under the radar until it was revived three years ago. Seven contestants signed up, including RA Devin Fulton, junior of Glenrock, Wyoming, who was last year’s Mr. and Mrs. Spring Days winner, Caleb Haskell, junior of Madison, CSC wrestler and an emcee for the night, Kayla Reinke, junior of Pierce, Henry Schneider, sophomore of Cody, Abigail Klammer, freshman of Juanita, and Pamela Pierce, freshman of Torrington, Wyoming. Dane McConnell, junior of Lodgepole, served as the head emcee for the night.

“I just wanted to go all in for the fans and sell whatever dignity I had left,” Devin Fulton said.

The talent shows were filled with singing and dancing, including song performances by Fulton, Schneider, Klammer, Pierce and Reinke and impressions by Haskell. In the second round contestants fielded questions by McConnell, including questions about their talent portion. The third and final portion was a “strut walk.”

After the judges’ deliberation, Reinke and Haskell were crowned Mr. and Mrs. Spring Days 2019.

“I think I did fantastic for the amount of preparation that went in,” Haskell said.

Before the winners were announced, all participants were given the opportunity to give a one-word summary of the event. All agreed the contest “was spontaneous,” each saying it was “a great way to end a beautiful Tuesday.” Haskell said he was glad McConnell put him on the spot to join the competition.

“I’m actually pleased Dane McConnell pulled me into this competition,” Haskell said.

Reinke was surprised she won, saying this was something that surpassed her boundaries.

“I feel surprised. I’m excited because I have never done anything like this before. It was a chance to get out of my comfort zone,” Reinke said.