Greensburg Salem High School pageant is back with 'Secret Agents' theme

Ten seniors at Greensburg Salem High School are on a mission to capture the title of “Mr. GS 2022” when the popular annual pageant returns.

“Secret Agents” is the theme for the event, which is sponsored by the Student Council Association and raises money toward activities including homecoming, the spring prom and a senior picnic. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 10 in the school auditorium.

Contestants perform a group dance and then model casual wear and formal wear, display a talent and take part in a question-and-answer session.

“We try to theme the whole show,” said Christopher Gazze, physics teacher and co-adviser of the student council. “We have a cool opening video with a ‘Mission Impossible’ theme and there will be secret agent music for the group dance. For their casual wear competition, they’ll be dressing up as undercover agents.”

“The Bachelor” was the theme for the 2020 pageant, which took place just before the covid-19 pandemic curtailed school activities.

“We had to cancel last year’s pageant because of covid,” Gazze said. “They wouldn’t have had any audience to perform for, which defeats the purpose.”

Talents students have demonstrated during the show have ranged in tone from serious to goofy, according to Gazze. “Our rehearsals are very minimal,” he said.

He noted the event shines a spotlight on both male students who are outgoing and others who are more reticent. “When we get them up there, it brings some of them out of their shells,” he said.

Begun in 2018, the pageant has built a following in the district.

“We’ve been adding spectators each year,” Gazze said. “It grew from 150 in the audience to probably around 400 in year three.”

Tickets cost $5 at the door.