It is that time of year again. Rumors are spreading, speculations are being made, and anticipation is building. That is right, it is Mr. Harriton season. This year’s production is on February 28th, a date that will be here before we know it. As this date gets closer and closer, the student body becomes more and more obsessed and excited. What will the talents be like? And whose dance moves will be most entertaining to watch? Who does not love a male beauty pagent? That is what we’re here to tell you, Harriton. Tess Laren, Emily Rush and Annika Iyer will be covering Mr. Harriton head to toe until the show itself, bringing you information straight from the contestants and crew members themselves.

This amazing event is more than just an incredibly entertaining way to spend a Friday night, it is also one of the biggest fundraisers held by Harriton every year. All of the funds from ticket sales, concessions, and donations by audience members have gone to charity. Last year, the production raised over $15,00 for the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Lower Merion Scholarship Fund. This aspect of the show is truly one of the most impressive, up there with boys dancing in boxers and showing their wonderful talents.

In addition to making a difference in the lives of people in the community with the funds, Mr Harriton means a lot to all those involved, from students to teachers and parents. Former contestants cite this as “one of the best experiences of my high school career.” Their teacher counterparts come back year after year to organize the event. “The passion that student council body and the student body has shown for this event is amazing. This is such a unique event, and it has been so successful because of the commitment and interest,” says Mr Robinson, the facilitator of Student Council. He had nothing but positive things to say about his experience with Mr Harriton.

Ms Cooke, the teacher most involved with the production of the show, adds to his sentiment, “People are so dedicated to making this show a success, and there are always key people who fully help pull this together. Lindsey is going to do a great job doing that this year.” She also gives an insight to the experience of the contestants, “Each year is so different, but one thing that is the same is the tremendous brotherhood that the boys form,” she says.

Walden Pemantle, the contestent who played a homemade xylophone in last year’s production, says, “The other contestants, their escorts, and the organizers were all awesome people who I probably never would’ve gotten to hang out with if it weren’t for Mr. Harriton.”

This year, awesomeness is promising. The show’s theme is decades. The contestents include seniors Chris Lasbrogata, David Bernstein, Ethan Wolfe, Evan Rosen, Jason Herrmann, Justin Littman, and juniors Ben Appel, Alisha Odom, Marcel Werder, and Quincy Wolfson. This group is full promise, says Walden Pemantle. “They’re extremely diverse this year, and even the singing and dancing contestants have little twists that make their talents really unique.” When asked about why he wanted to be a contestent, Quincy Wolfson told us how excited he was and then he said, “I’m really just excited to learn some killer dance moves.” Well, Quincy, we are dying to see them.