By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
The nearly 1,000 seats in the Parkland High School auditorium were filled to watch Mr. Parkland 2025 on Feb. 1.
Eighteen students competed in a variety of events with the goal of being crowned Mr. Parkland.
Contestants included Leo Dauberman, Max Estaban, Will Dobil, Bryan Eras, Sam Lundberg, Brandon Cai, Torin Heiland, Samith Rohatgi, Luka Pettine, Jack Habash, Jakob Barnett, Andrew Song, Zain Matin, Asher Pijut, Eli Garcia, Ziair Cartagena, Aadit Kedia and Garet Hill.
Judges included several previous Mr. Parkland winners including Ben Youngerman, 2005; David Diehl, 2023 and Dennis Marube, 2024.
Krista Metter, Touchstone Theater teaching artist and Kendal Conrad, singer/actress/songwriter filled out the judge’s quotient.
The contest began with the opening number that included all the contestants, each being introduced by name.
Contestants then competed in the Hawaiian competition, where each was judged on stage presence and creativity/enthusiasm all to the tune of “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy and Fresh Prince.
The talent competition happened in two acts with an intermission separating the acts.
Next on the agenda was the formal wear competition.
Escorts chosen by each contestant danced during the Formal wear competition giving each contestant a touch of glamour.
Will Dobil invited his grandmother, Marcy Dobil, to be his escort, which created a huge positive response from the crowd.
When all was said and done, Garet Hill was not only crowned Mr. Parkland 2025 but he also won the Peoples Choice Award for his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”
He opened by playing the piano then transitioned to singing with a backup band.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDGaret Hill was chosen Mr. Parkland 2025 during the competition in Parkland High School’s auditorium on Feb. 1. Kimberly McHenry, 2025 Class Advisor and Amanda Slotter, choreographer and director of the Mr. Parkland contest did the honors.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDMr. Parkland 2025 Garet Hill is surrounded by fellow Mr. Parkland contestants, class advisors, staff and Class of 2025 officers at the end of the Mr. Parkland 2025 contest on Feb. 1.
Parkland High School Class of 2025 Officers Jaylee Hertz, historian; Mia De Pinho, vice president; Lilly Rodriguez, treasurer; Omar Moawad, president; Izzy Fekula, secretary and Lily Schantz, Student Senate at the Mr. Parkland contest.
Mr. Parkland 2025 judges Kendal Conrad, Ben Youngerman, Dennis Marube, David Diehl and Krista Metter stand in front of the sold-out crowd at the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition.
Max Esteban performed to “Heartbreak” during his talent presentation at the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition held in the Parkland High School auditorium on Feb. 1.
Luka Pettine channeled “Maui” from the movie “Moana” during his talent competition at the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition.
Jack Habash, accompanied by Lauren Weaver, danced during the talent competition.
Sam Lundberg sang “Stay With Me” for his talent presentation.
Asher Pijut was into rap for his talent presentation at the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition.
Brandon Cai opened his talent presentation at the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition.
Torin Heiland channeled Billy Joel by playing and singing “The Piano Man” during the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition.
Samith Rohatgi performed as a DJ during the Mr. Parkland 2025 contest.
People’s Choice winner and Mr. Parkland 2025 performed Frank Sinatra’s version of “New York, New York” for his talent at the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition held in the Parkland High School auditorium on Feb. 1.
Ziair Cartagena and escort Alesha Felton dance during the formal wear competition at the Mr. Parkland 2025 contest.
Katelyn Attieh was Garet Hill’s escort at the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition.
Aadit Kedia performed “Don’t Believe Me” for his talent during the Mr. Parkland 2025 competition held in the Parkland High School auditorium on Feb. 1.
