After several years of cancellations, Paint Branch was finally able to hold its much-heralded Mr. and Miss Paint Branch competition.

This year’s event took place on December 4th and, once again, it was a success. Filled with comedy, dancing, singing and even lip-synching, six boys and four girls from the senior class vied in for the coveted title of Mr. and Miss PB. Event coordinators Ms. Wright and Ms. Street started off the show by bringing out the MC’s for the night, seniors Umniya Gabbani, Shannon Greene, Parth Panchal and Farhan Aziz.

As the first round began, the contestants prepared themselves to present their talents to the audience. Babajide Adetunji went first and performed “Spectrum”, a series of spins and throws all in synch with the rhythm and beat of the song he chose. Peter Franklin pulled out his cello and played it to Tove Lo’s “Habbits,” a great combination of a classical instrument and a modern song. Emily Higgins’ comedy routine had the whole audience entranced with the punch lines and dying of laughter. Harry Pham came up to the stage and started singing along to the song “Smile,” and got everyone to sway along to the rhythm.

Next up were the promposals. Franklin rolled onto the stage on his “sweet ride” to help sway the date his way, while Patrick Vigna’s promposal was inspired by Mrs. Greene’s specialty, directing the morning announcements, as he made his own TV studio. Vigna’s “Fact of the Day” was that she would be going to prom with him. Alexis Akarolo included Mr. Miller as the next contestant of her game show, “The Answer Is Yes”, and offered him tickets to the Nationals game, a U2 concert and even a Bossley’s discount certificate. All would be his if he answered “yes” to going to prom with her – which he did. Moisha Sajus, decided that after receiving plenty of quizzes in AP NSL, it would finally be her opportunity to quiz Mr. Miller, prom style, and the correct answer, of course, was “yes.”

Finally, the candidates showed off their acts, which represented a display of what they believe best displays teamwork. Anwar Glasgow and Emily Higgins teamed up and started off the round by performing “A Day in the Life.” They used Emily’s hands and Anwar’s body to eat, drink and even shave. This left the audience laughing hysterically at a whipped cream-covered face. Ian Tamayo and Moisha Sajus combined their dancing skills and performed “Banji Bandits.”

As the event drew to a close after the question and answer and fashion portions of the show, the judges, Mr. Silsbee, (WHO ELSE???), revealed their winners. This year, the judges anointed Jide Adetunji and Alexis Akarolo the crowns.
Alexis, feeling like a “lovely person” after winning, noted that she “tried to be as comical as possible so that [she] could win.”

Jide was very appreciative that he won and noted that he was very nervous throughout most of the show. He admitted that he “really liked the journey [there] and all the fun people that [he] got to hang out with backstage,” which he thought was the best part.

Congratulations to all the contestants for their amazing participation in the show. As for those who did not make it to this year’s show, make sure to come out next year; you won’t be disappointed.