Nine boys from the senior class of 2026, Lukas Ortega, Nathan Aguelo, Alvin Lin, Sameel Hussain, Ben Sautter, Nolan Perry, Tymir Gayle, Nico Spatucci and Brad Hendricks took the stage to compete in the annual competition for the beloved Mr. East title on Thursday, April 16. Under the theme “A Night in Hollywood,” chosen by the four senior chairwomen, Claudia Fulginiti, Akira Gordon, Shia Snyder and Alexis Nowakowski, each boy performed their acts based on a Hollywood character. Although all nine boys were crowd pleasers, only one of them could leave the auditorium with the title of Mr. East 2026.
The show began with an opening number choreographed by seniors Gabriella Koren and Rachel Rosenberg, giving a glimpse at the journey the audience would take with the contestants throughout the evening. Once the group dance concluded, each character performed a beach segment. There were crocodile fights, Quidditch, and even a rainy umbrella performance surrounded by plastic pools and palm trees.
Nathan Aguelo won first place for his performance as Mr. Buco. He chose Spiderman as his Hollywood character, showing off his superhero skills in his main act by fighting off bad guys to protect a little girl– portrayed by his sister. Once he saved her, the two began dancing before Aguelo performed solo break-dancing tricks. In the formal wear segment, he was escorted by his parents, giving a rose to each.
“I decided to bring my parents because those are the people that I really look up to,” Aguelo said. “I’m actually really close to my parents and I appreciate them so much for supporting me.
Along with the title, Aguelo won two senior prom tickets and flowers.
“I didn’t expect to win…I always kept forgetting that this was a competition because I was just having so much fun with the guys and practicing with my people too,” Aguelo said.
His favorite acts from the other contestants were Mr. Linsanity’s performance as Harry Potter, and Mr. Slaughter’s performance as Anakin Skywalker.
Ben Sautter as Mr. Slaughter came in second place. Sautter began his main act playing guitar and singing “American Idiot” by Green Day, before running off the stage for a surprise follow up rap as Hamilton, changing some of the lyrics to “My Shot” to references to his own life. In another surprise, a cart of boxes was rolled onto the floor, and Mr. East 2025 winner Ethan Barroway (’25) jumped out, handing Sautter a saxophone. For the final part of his main act, he performed a saxophone cover of “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. Sautter was later escorted by Samantha Belezza (‘26).
Lukas Ortega as Mr. Renaissance Man snagged third place for his act as The Mask. Ortega played multiple instruments and sang. In the formal wear segment he was escorted out by Sean Gabrielsen (‘27) before giving his rose to his mother.
The other six contestants were not able to place within the top three but they were just as enjoyable to watch. Sameel Hussain as Mr. Samuscular and Nolan Perry as Mr. Buzz each came out with a fighting performance. Hussain brought out beloved teacher Mrs. Shine to sing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” alongside him and his background dancers. Brad Hendricks as Mr. Hendy Sendy performed a diss track, slandering his fellow competition. Nico Spatucci as Mr. Know-It-All impressed the crowd by solving Rubik’s cubes, playing the trumpet and even bringing out incoming East principal Dr. Cafagna. Tymir Gayle as Mr. Philly Grim Reaper performed an amazing dance while Alvin Lin as Mr. Linsanity did the same, but through a Quidditch game incorporating his character of Harry Potter.
Right before the winners were announced, the Minute to Win It competition was held. The contestants ran through the crowd, collecting as much money as they could in a minute. The donations went to Holton’s Heroes, a non-profit organization that provides support, information, and rehabilitative devices for children and their families affected by post-birth brain injuries.
The competition ran smoothly, but most importantly many contestants and audience members had fun. As Aguelo put it, “I loved the energy we brought to the stage…we were just having so much fun.”
