Third annual Man Pageant seeks to crown ‘Mr. Ripon’

SOURCE: Ripon College
RIPON, Wis. – At 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 the applied communication class of Ripon College will present the third annual Man Pageant, sponsored by Golden Rule Community Credit Union. All proceeds benefit the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA). The event will take place in the Great Hall of Harwood Memorial Union. Tickets are $2 in advance and $3 at the door.

During this evening of entertainment, men from Ripon College and the community competing for the title of “Mr. Ripon.” Contestants will compete in several categories, including talent, formalwear, swimwear, and knowledge of Huntington’s.

The communication department began working with HDSA more than five years ago when they learned about the organization from a former student.

“We started being involved with HDSA because it had some project needs that applied communication students could fill – hands-on learning projects,” explains Jody Roy, professor of communication at Ripon. “Four years ago, applied created a host of fundraising alternatives for HDSA, stratified for different audiences and areas. As a follow-up to that, HDSA Great Lakes Region asked the class to pilot an awareness-builder and fundraiser that would target college students.”

The result was the creation of the man-pageant concept by the applied class of fall 2007. The first event raised $1,300 for HDSA. In 2008, the applied class later expanded on the idea and created a user guide that enables HDSA to support any college group that would want to sponsor the event on another campus. That year’s event raised $3,700 for HDSA.

Each year, Professor Roy creates a new goal for the new applied communication class. This year, the students are faced with the challenge of raising $3,500 in the current economic climate, increasing Ripon community involvement, and getting 100 community members to attend. For the first time, Ripon community members will be contestants in the pageant. Fundraising efforts were expanded to include business sponsors in Green Lake, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh, and this year the contestants themselves will raise money for the event. Also, three judges and contestant escort positions will be auctioned off. The applied communication class has participated in community events like Septemberfest and will be stationed at Pick ‘n Save on Nov. 7 along with 90.1 WRPN-FM, the college radio station, to promote the event and raise awareness for its cause.

For general information please contact Katie Mead at meadk@ripon.edu. For further information about Huntington’s Disease and how you can help in other ways, please go to www.hdsa.org.

About Huntington’s Disease and the HDSA
Huntington’s Disease is a devastating illness that most often affects people between the ages of 30 and 45. Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease fall into three major categories: loss of motor skills, altered personality and changes in cognitive function. This disease currently has no effective treatment or cure. However, with the help of HDSA’s continued research, a solution to this devastating illness may be found. Progress towards finding a cure to Huntington’s Disease may also aid in finding more effective treatments to related diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The HDSA is a nonprofit organization that offers assistance to families suffering from Huntington’s Disease, provides education about the illness, and contributes to research for a cure. This organization greatly impacts the lives of the 30,000 Americans that are afflicted with the disease, and the 250,000 who are genetically “at risk” to inherit Huntington’s Disease.

The Contestants
Tyler Schultz
George Infantado
Scott Gillespie
Jeremy Custer
Zac Mans
Paul Williams
Abdel Marched
Addison Ransom
Matt Switzler
Tyler Schwertfeger
Matt Rohrbeck
Steve Sorenson

2009 Sponsors
Christiano's
Appearances Unlimited
Fat Bruce's
Baker Battery
Casual Living Outfitters
Ripon Drug
Quality Plumbing
Imagineers
Golden Rule Community Credit Union
WRPN-FM 90.1
Watson Street Wear
Pick 'n Save
Marigold Yoga
Brandon Meats
Century 21
Comfort Suites
AmericInn