Between hours of practice and five senior guys dancing for all of their peers, the King Pageant is one of the highlights of the 28th annual homecoming week for many students, Oct. 25. As a tradition, the king nominees perform the King Dance which includes group dances and a spotlight moment for each candidate in order to gain student votes.

This year, seniors Jordan Boudreau, Matt Jenkins, McKay Mohun, Stephan Melendez and Juan Ruelas were chosen to have a dance-off before the title is claimed at halftime of the homecoming game, Oct. 26. With practices before, after and during school, the five contestants were able to choreograph their own moves for the entire dance.

Along with the dance, the kings also pre-made a king bash video. This video records funny questions that allowed the kings to poke fun at themselves and the other nominees. The king nominees also performed the anual pickup lines and dressed into outfits to show off for the audience.

The dance included some of the most popular songs, starting with Gangnam Blow. The dance progressed to include Cat Daddy, Follow the Leader, It’s Gonna be Me, Circus and What Makes You Beautiful. With an encore including the songs Call Me Maybe and Burnin’ up.

Boudreau knows the time and effort put into the dance were extensive, but believes the memories were worth the early mornings and late nights.

“It was crazy this year because we only had a week to get the dance ready,” Boudreau said. “And we coreographed the whole thing ourselves. We were getting here early in the morning, and we were at school from like 7 {a.m.} to 10 {p.m.). It was a ton of work and a ton of fun to do with a great group of guys to do it with. It’s great for my senior year; it makes it memorable.”

For Melendez, the crowd helped him push through the dance. The cheering and excitement of the crowd let him know he was doing well.

“The dance was amazing,” Melendez said. “The energy we put into it, finally payed off. I felt good after the dance, like ‘yes, I nailed it.’ The songs we picked this year really suit the class and our personality. As soon as I started shaking up there the crowd’s reaction really pumped me up.”

Madelline Luginbill, ’16, experienced her first king dance and was surprised to find out the kind of dancing she watched.

“I thought it was really funny, and I think having everyone dance was just like the highlight of my life,” Luginbill said. “I did not expect there to be that kind of dancing. I thought since we are at a private school that it would like ballet or something like that, but it was hilarious. I think the part where Stephan {Melendez} had a whip was my favorite part but Matt Jenkins was my favorite dancer he’s so noodlely it’s so funny.”

Though she loved the dance, Luginbill also appreciated the video and pickup lines.

“I don’t think i disliked anything I liked when they re danced and had different parts,” Luginbill said. “I think the bash video was also very creative and the pickup lines were hilarious Matt Jenkins pick up line was hilarious and creative.”

The pageant also features pick-up lines from each king candidate towards their paired queen nominee.

For junior Annalise Rosik, the pick up line portion of the pageant was different from previous years, but still entertaining.

“I think that the kings did a really good job with the pick up lines,” Rosik said. “The queens received the pick up lines really well. Compared to last year, they seemed to be on the same level. I liked the setting with the tables and candles; thats was good.”

For Rosik, the heartfelt lines are her favorite, including Melendez’s line directed towards senior queen nominee, Maddie Yee.

“Stephans was my favorite because it was heartfelt,” Rosik siad. “It was from the bottom of his heart; genuine. If some guy did that to me, I would be like OK, I’ll take that nickel from you.”

Queen nominee Ashley Erickson, ’13, enjoyed the pick up line since it related directly to her interests.

“I thought it was really funny and it was kind of fitting because I like baking,” Erickson said. “I probably would not fall for it in real life though, not because of the pick-up line but because, come on, he’s {Jenkin} wearing a hat with a propeller.”

The kings also put together outfits to show off to their peers. Ruelas sported a full body mariachi outfit for this portion. He loved getting into all the events and the dance.

“I think the pickup lines were good, some were okay,” Ruelas said. “They were all really nice and sweet. I went all out on the costume part and borrowed my dad’s mariachi suit. I was just really excited to dance for everyone ever since I got nominated.”

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For Jenkins, the privilege to participate in the pageant at all helped to add hype and memories to his senior year.

“It was fun; I didn’t even think about it as a competition,” Jenkins said. “When i look back on it, I can be like ‘hey, I was one of those guys to do the homecoming dances.’ It’s an honor and privilege to do so, and it’s a big responsibility, but it’s worth it.”

“I thought it was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done,” Mohun said. “My favorite part was working hard but having fun at the same time with my friends. All the work we put into it just made it more fun. We’re so close together. When people are screaming you know it’s your time to shine.”

Editor’s note: Check back soon for a second video.

For more features, read the Oct. 24 article, Queen nominees honored to participate in pageant (VIDEO). For more information about the homecoming game, read the Oct. 11 article, Homecoming festivities scheduled, court nominated.