It was all in good fun as 15 students competed in a pageant to be named Mr. LT at Lyons Township High School, but only one could win the coveted title.
Senior Tim Rediehs from Western Springs took home the crown following Saturday’s show.
“I was kind of shocked. I didn’t think I’d win,” Rediehs said. “It makes me feel excited and proud. I was happy so many people came to support me and everyone else.”
The 4th annual pageant, held in the Reber Center on the north campus, was started several years ago by a student, Joe Dillon, said Peter Geddeis, director of student activities. The contestants were judged by seven members of the school’s staff in the categories of swimwear, talent and formal wear.
After an opening number in which they appeared in swimwear, contestants displayed their various talents including telling jokes, doing magic tricks and performing musical numbers.
Rediehs played guitar and sang the song “White Lies” by Max Frost, which he said was well received.
“Everyone was so supportive. Everyone was clapping. It was loud,” he said.
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The contest included the naming of seven finalists who were asked a series of serious and sarcastic questions by emcees before the audience cast their votes, Geddeis said. Similar to “Dancing with the Stars” voting, the judges scores were then combined with the audience’s vote to select Mr. LT.
The event raised money through ticket sales and donations for the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Fund, which was started in honor of O’Laughlin, a Lyons Township High School freshman who was murdered during a burglary at her Indian Head Park home in 2011. The fund was established by Kelli’s family to keep her memory alive by providing scholarships and supporting education opportunities for young people.
“It was very nice to support the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin fund,” said Rediehs, whose winnings included gift certificates to a local restaurant and movie theater.
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