By Veritas Staff
October 24, 2023
ROCKLAND- On Thursday, Oct. 19, Gustavo De Paula was crowned the 2023 Mr. Rockland.
De Paula beat five other seniors by performing a song on piano blindfolded in front of a cheering crowd in the RHS auditorium.
De Paula said he decided to participate over the summer and has been practicing his song on the piano ever since.
The other five seniors, Ben Carpine, Elias Carbone, Brandon Gilpin, and Hugo Da Silva delighted the crowd with their surprise talents.
These included Carpine rapping a song by Eminem, Carbone singing a song by James Taylor, Gilpin performing in the dark with a lightsaber, and Da Silva clowning around while holding his breath.
De Paula said his favorite act to watch in practice was Carpine’s, and he “was very concerned because I thought he was competition. I didn’t get to see him live, so I’m looking forward to [watching the video].”
Judges Ms. Kendra Donovan, Ms. Jackie Tabares, and Mr. Randal Grimmett watched as the seniors competed in solo, duo, and group talent, question and answer, and formal wear categories.
Ms. Donovan, who had judged before in 2018, said De Paula’s performance stood out as her favorite moment.
“It took me by surprise, and I was impressed. It was a real talent and we don’t always get to see that in these competitions,” she said.
The Mr. Rockland competition was formerly run by the Student Government Council, but this year was taken over by the senior class. It is a tradition that offers a VIP parking spot to the winner.
Ms. Donovan hopes to judge again in the future and has her thoughts on what makes a great performance.
She said, “It’s fun to be goofy and silly and I like seeing that come out on stage, but I also like real talent. It’s refreshing because we don’t get to see that in class. Someone who fully embraces the competition, every segment, really tries, and has a good time.”
This year, the competition was hosted by seniors Tony Ciano and Jacob Comman. It was choreographed and directed by the senior class officers, with the help of the senior class advisor, Ms. Julia DiCanzio.