By Nicole Ferrito
The College’s student government sophomore class council held their first Mr. 2015 competition and fundraiser on the Wednesday night before spring break. Twelve good looking and funny sophomore guys flaunted their personalities and their talents throughout four rounds of the show. Each contestant was assigned a month of the year, and they were to represent that month as part of the first round of the show. The other three rounds included: swimwear, sleepwear, and a talent portion.
Each contestant had a cup in which audience members could donate change or cash. The guy that collected the most money in his cup, was the winner. The money raised went to supporting the sophomore class’ senior week in 2015.
Drew Grapstul, a sophomore Criminology major who plays for The College’s basketball team, was crowned Mr. 2015.
He felt honored to be asked to participate in the Mr. 2015 competition. “I decided to go out for Mr. 2015 because I feel as though I embrace all aspects of school spirit academically, athletically, and socially,” said Grapstul.
When asked whom he was representing on campus he responded, “the Class of 2015, who are my friends and family.”
For the assigned “month” round, Grapstul was Mr. July and “overwhelmed the crowd” when he came out rocking red, white and blue board shorts and an American flag cape. Because the outfits for the show were humorous, they may have been difficult to choose, but Grapstul said, “It wasn’t too difficult because I already had a swimsuit and I just went to my local JC Penny store and found the PJs on sale in the Big Men’s Department.”
Grapstul teamed up with Navid Radfar, another Mr. 2015 competitor, and took a humorous approach to the talent round. Claiming they would, together, “lift a car”, they soon brought out a small toy car to the stage, and insisted they did, in fact, “lift a car.” Their “talent” got a good laugh from the audience. “We thought it would be funny to do a play on words,” said Grapstul.
Each contestant received a crown and medal for their contribution to the show, but in the end Drew was the winner of the competition. When asked how he felt when he was crowned Mr. 2015 he said, “I was thrilled and it made me proud being a part of the competition. My friends and I went out afterwards and celebrated.”
Mr. 2015 gave a little more background about himself and his interests. As a Criminology major, he hopes to work in a Federal Law Enforcement Agency as a Special Agent. Grapstul has recently interned with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, DC in the fall semester. He has also interned at the Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City this past summer. He says both opportunities have been great experiences.
Between his Criminology major and internship opportunities and his athletic skills on the school’s basketball team, Mr. 2015 seems to be a well-rounded winner!