GC Panthers Battle Over Audience Hearts – Mr. Panther 2013

Written by Betsy Wagoner. Media by Sean McFarland.

On October 16th, Ladue Auditorium was packed with an almost all female audience ready to see the crowning of the 2013 Mr. Panther. Eight male leaders on campus lined the stage intent on giving their best performance that would impress the audience and win over the judges. These handsome contestants were Mr. Res Life-Ben Linder, Mr. Connect 4-Caleb Hall, Mr. Soccer-Parker Wray, Mr. Mannoia-Tyler Wright, Mr. Chinese Student Association-Albert Lee, Mr. Agape- Adam Crouch, Mr. Improv-Andrew Perkett, and Mr. Education-Ross Baker.   The judges of the competition were, Jack Chism-professor of Business, Emily Bishop-the Dean of Women on campus, Ruth Huston-professor of Religion, Kathie Filby– the first lady, and Tom Morgan- head of the Greenville College Alumni Association.

These young men began their night by playing a round of musical chairs. After a tough battle, especially with Albert’s strategy, Ben Linder walked away with a win. Then the beauty contestants participated in a “Would you rather?” game with questions asked by the emcee of the night, Rachel Rousseau. These questions ranged from things like “Would you rather do the cinnamon challenge or the gallon challenge?” to “Would you rather eat poison ivy or a handful of bumble bees?”  From there they moved onto the crowd favorite; the talent portion.

Every man had a unique talent that wooed the audience.  Albert Lee performed an amazing violin solo, and Caleb Hall entertained everyone with a magical pen spin, as well as the best foot massage in the world given to Isaac Barber.  Parker Wray proved to the crowd that he was a juggling master by first juggling softballs and then moving on to soccer balls. Ross Baker wowed the crowd with singing and dancing to both Part 1 and Part II of Justin Timberlake’s and Jimmy Kimmel’s “History of Rap.”  Andrew Perkett also rapped, to Dr. Seuss which blew the crowd away when he referenced the blue fish!  Tyler Wright surprised the crowd by magically turning Rachel Stroud and Manny Gamble into Urri Thames and Veronica Crisler. Ben Linder was a spitting master and was also able to grow a chin strap at the same time.  Adam (Bop Bop) Crouch rocked the jorts and Americana t-shirt while swerving through cups in his heelies.  He won over the heart of Ruth Huston by ripping off his shirt showing his bare chest with her name exposed in the center of a large heart.

The top three finalists, Ben Linder, Tyler Wright, and Adam Crouch were chosen after a short intermission.  They were then asked what has been the most transformative experience they’ve had while attending Greenville College.  All men gave heart felt answers that left the judges with a very tough decision to make.  In the end Tyler Wright won the competition, with Ben Linder being the first runner-up.  No hard feelings among the boys though as Adam Crouch stated, “We were just a bunch of bros, having a good time, putting on a show for the audience.  We didn’t really care who won!”