For Scott Connatser, entering the Mr. PHS contest was more about having fun than winning the all-male competition title.

“It’s fun and it’s going to be entertaining, to make a fool of yourself and have a good time,” said the 17-year-old Pelham High School senior.

On Wednesday, May 21, Connatser and four other young men each took to the stage in the school’s gymnasium to model clothes and act silly in their attempts to be crowned Mr. PHS.

Connatser performed well enough to finish second, but was beaten for the title by his friend and dancing partner, David Pereira.

“Feels good – a warm tingling sensation I’ve never felt before,” Pereira, 17, joked after the show about winning as he clutched a small golden statuette and donned a silver tiara.

A few minutes earlier, Pereira and Connatser, both wearing dark pants and tank tops, drew cheers from the audience when they danced wildly to the song “Yeah!” by Usher during the show’s talent portion.

In that same category, Shalva Merebashvili, 18, an exchange student from the country of Georgia, sang the national anthem and Jason Godek and E.J. Martin both wearing neckties but no shirts, strummed guitars and sang to “All the Small Things” by Blink 182.

In addition to showcasing their talent, the five contestants modeled semi-formal clothes and swimwear, and each tried out his best original pick-up line on the young woman who served as his escort for the evening.

The event was co-hosted by students Stephanie Martins and Lynne Resendes.

Three female judges – English teacher Heather Szafran, social studies teacher Elizabeth Zemetres and Spanish teacher Lisa Terwilliger – scored the contestants and determined the winner.