By Chérie Ruiz
Contributing Writer
The first Mr. Saint Rose since 2013 was crowned Wednesday, April 8, by the Public Relations club. Joachim Koka earned his victory with dance moves, dazzling lip sync and inspiring words. The senior criminal justice major was happy to add being the first Mr. Saint Rose to his legacy here at the College.
The competition was tight. Six students representing all different majors, spanning freshmen to graduate school, were willing to go on stage and take on the challenge of winning over the crowd.
“I knew we were going to do well when people were lining up outside in the rain,” said John Lantz, a member of the Public Relations club.
Inside, students taking up much of Saint Joe’s bottom floor were ready for a show to combat the gloomy weather, and they got it. The evening began with the contestants performing a choreographed dance as a grand entrance. Each dressed in different all-black ensembles, it was clear that they were going to do their best to stand out with the way they each took the opportunity to show off their personalities, even in a group.
Matt Pietrykowski, a sophomore graphic design major, made the conscious decision to wear his shirt inside out for the dance number.
When it came time for introductions and casual wear, Teddy Pearce, sophomore communications major, stepped on stage in a grey suit and later acknowledged that he did indeed decide on a bold style choice to try and grab the audience’s attention, while the others toned down their attire.
During the talent portion the contestants held nothing back. Kicking off this portion of the show was Ahmed Diarra, a freshman criminal justice major, performed a poem he wrote called “You and Me and We.” The crowd was amazed to see raw talent in front of them and it continued with Cole Hallowman, a sophomore communications major, rapping an original song, “The Way I Feel.”
The students definitely put the “talent” in talent contest, along with a whole lot of humor. No one could resist having a good time, laughing at the lip syncs of the night.
Pietrykowski danced his heart out all over the stage and proved that if you’re having a good time, chances are everyone else will have one too. Mike Aurrichio, a sophomore childhood special education major, sat in the spotlight dressed as a mermaid and performed “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid.”
When everyone thought they had seen it all, graduate student Mike Eisenstein came out with Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” and his performance took people’s breath away with laughter.
The men of Saint Rose also had inspiring words for the audience, and when it came down to it, Koka and Aurrichio’s answers to the a question made it clear the competition was going to narrow down to these two.
When asked what they would do if they won the lottery, both immediately responded they would take care of their family, acknowledging that their families helped build them up to where they are today. Aurrichio then followed up and said that he would like to continue working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and play a bigger role helping those in the organization.
Koka said that after taking care of his mom, he’d send money back to his family in Hungary. As a first generation Hungarian-American, he would try to start a business to take care of his family for years to come.
Choosing between these two was difficult, and the crowd cheered at the top of their lungs for both. Koka and Aurrichio both had a team of fans with them, helping to make sure they were in it to win it.
Koka took home the title of Mr. Saint Rose after two hours of competition and three rounds of cheering, his friends giving their all to make sure there was no doubt who the winner was.
Both Aurrichio and Koka were very happy with their support systems. They were very humble and said that without their friends, being on that stage wouldn’t have been possible.
All of the contestants agreed on one thing: that they had a great group for the first year and most of them will back again to try and take home the title, crown, and gift card prize.
The Public Relations club was very happy with this year’s turn out and can’t wait to turn the event into a tradition. John Lantz said that planning an event like Mr. Saint Rose takes a great team and the members of the club have enjoyed gaining the experience outside of the classroom.
The club hopes to attract new members as varied as the contestants themselves.
“There are so many facets to what we do,” Lantz said.
Having students from all majors only strengthens the team and helps the club get closer to its goal of doing public relations work for clubs and students free of charge. They’re willing to take on any challenge, and to prove it, next year the campus can look forward to ladies competing as well. This year’s participants are excited to see how this change will add to the experience for next year. Their advice to possible future competitors is to be yourself and have fun.
