Mr. WHHS “Party In The USA” Pageant
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (May 01, 2023)- The West Henderson High School DECA Chapter will host its
inaugural Mr. WHHS “Party In The USA” pageant on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Mr. WHHS is an all-male pageant
which raises money for families within the Henderson County Public School community that have suffered a great
loss or are dealing with major medical issues. Each contestant is a student at West Henderson High School and
has committed to raising at least $100 each in order to participate.
Families are nominated by Henderson County Public School System employees and voted on by the members of
the West Henderson High School DECA chapter. Contestants will compete in two “wears” and will have a talent to
perform. Awards given include Family’s Choice, Mr. Money Maker, Mr. Sexy Legs, People’s Choice, Mr.
Congeniality and Mr. WHHS.
The pageant will be held in the auditorium of West Henderson High School at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 each.
Tickets may be purchased online by visiting the West Henderson High School website and at the door at 6:00 p.m.
the evening of the show. Auditorium doors will open at 6:15 p.m., and the show starts promptly at 7:00 pm. All
proceeds support the Aidan Burnette and Sydney Bailey families.
Please take a moment to read about the families we are honoring this year.
The Aidan Burnette/Levi Family
Aidan Burnette, an eighth-grader at Flat Rock Middle School, is the son of Lanta and Joseph Levi and the brother of
Shane Townsend, Cash Levi, and Hunter Levi. Shane and Cash both attend Atkinson Elementary School.
On February 14, 2023, Aidan was checking the mail after school and was hit by a car. He was life-flighted to
Mission Hospital and upon arrival the family was told they had to remove part of Aidan’s skull. He has endured
multiple surgeries and is still fighting for his life. The financial struggle has been extremely difficult, as the family is
now down to one income to take time off to be with Aidan. The family would like to thank everyone for the love and
support they continue to receive.
The Sydney Bailey Family
Sydney Bailey is the wife of Jeff Thompson and mother to nine year old Hayes. Sydney has taught theater for 10
years at North Henderson High School. In 2016, Sydney was diagnosed with an anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare type
of brain tumor. She received surgery soon after diagnosis, and they were able to remove some of the tumor, but a
large part of it could not be removed because of its location. Sydney completed radiation and a six month course of
chemotherapy after the surgery. This course of chemotherapy worked well, and Sydney enjoyed about four years
during which the tumor did not grow.
At the end of 2022, a new tumor was found in a different location. She received a new kind of chemotherapy during
this time, but during this course of chemotherapy, the first tumor became very aggressive and grew 5 cm in four
weeks. Chemotherapy was discontinued, and Sydney was put on a heavy dose of steroids, also beginning to take a
medicine that restricts the growth of new blood vessels.
Sydney misses her students and teaching position dearly. She sends her love and her gratitude for all of the
support.
The judges consist of faculty and staff members at WHHS. This year’s judges are April Bryson, Jackie Corn,
Matthew Parent, and Jessica Stepp. Twenty five male students from West Henderson High School will compete in
the show.
Mission: HCPS will provide all students the opportunity to learn and the encouragement to succeed in a safe environment. We will honor the individual and nurture the potential of all children.
Vision: Every student will achieve success and graduate as a life-long learner, globally competitive, prepared for career, college, and life.
NEWS RELEASE Cont’d.
The students involved this year are:
Luke Atkins escorted by Paityn Reasoner
Baylor Barrett escorted by Haley McIntyre
Allen Bartley escorted by LaShea Morlu
Grayson Barton escorted by Tatum Garrett
Drew Chavez escorted by Lexy Mannon
Jake DeBiase escorted by Kaia Filipovic
Roscoe Greene escorted by Aubrey Garrett
Cooper Hughes escorted by Presley Gonzales
Lukas Kachilo escorted by Emery Sprouse
Jack Klein escorted by Ariel Nolan
Jackson Lynn escorted by Mellany Garcia
Jack McCraw escorted by Emily Delaney
Brady Merrill escorted by Katelyn Day
Braxton Miller escorted by Mya Hembree
Edgar Molina escorted by Tatum Brennan
Soren Onderdonk escorted by Lilli Fuentes
Blake Phillips escorted by Emma Bryson
Grant Putnam escorted by Riley Frazier
Neil Robinson escorted by Nyla Carroll
Tyson Sem escorted by Shyann Payne
Cameron Steeves escorted by Taylor Mickey
Rourke Sullivan escorted by Sofia Rodriguez
Jason Tobe escorted by Ella Pickard
Trey Whitaker escorted by Perci Moore
Carter Wingrove escorted by Lindsay Hall
One of the unique aspects of the show is that it is created and run by students and DECA members at West
Henderson High School. Students decide on the theme, create the program, videos, choreography, posters and
T-shirt design. It allows students to showcase their talents and gives them the opportunity to create something of
their own.
With the help of numerous local businesses and personal donations, the goal this year is to raise at least $6,000. If
you would like to donate a gift card or a gift basket to be included in the raffle or give a monetary donation, contact
Alison Garrett at
WEST HENDERSON HIGH DECA CHAPTER HOSTS INAUGURAL PAGEANT THIS SATURDAY, MAY 6
