Mr. Brewster Pageant to Raise Money for Cystic Fibrosis

Fundraising efforts by a group of  (BHS) boys will culminate Friday during a contest filled with dance, outfit changes and question-and-answer sessions.

Members of the school's S.A.L.T.Y Hands Club, a student group dedicated to raising awareness about the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF), have been working hard over the past few weeks to organize the first-ever Mr. Brewster contest.

More than 15 contestants initially signed up to participate in the pageant, and the top fund-raisers will take to the stage Friday night. 

"The night of the event there will be a questionnaire, cutest baby picture, group dance and a few other parts to the show," S.A.L.T.Y Hands member Heather Daley said. "We're looking to get as many people as possible to come see the show, and raise as much money as we can."

Admission is $5. As of late last week, contestants had raked in about $125. Daley said organizers were unsure of how successful the event would be because it is in its inaugural year, but they are hoping to raise $1,000. All the money will go straight to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, according to Daley.

More than 60 people have replied "attending" to a Facebook event page dedicated to the contest. Brian McPartland, an alumnus from the class of 2011, is among those slated to sit in the audience Friday evening. He was born with CF, which affects the lungs and digestive system.

"I have been very impressed and proud of the initiative of everyone who has taken this to heart," McPartland told Patch.

A former S.A.L.T.Y Hands member, McPartland has made it a point to continue his awareness efforts at college. He attends Duke University, but he remains close with many Brewster students.

"When I heard the proceeds were going to cystic fibrosis, I was totally for it because I've played sports with Brian McPartland since we were little, so I would do anything to help out his cause," contestant Ray Dunn said. 

Other participants echoed Dunn's sentiments, and said the pageant simply sounded like a good time—especially because all the participants are in 12th grade.

"[It's] a friendly-fun competition," contestant Chris Waters said, adding that faculty members and folks around the community have made donations. "Since it's all seniors, we mostly know each other and it's a fun competition and it all goes towards a good cause."

The show begins at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at BHS.