Utica High School held the Mr. Chieftain annual event on Feb. 16. After a yearlong hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, the memorable pageant returned for the 2021-2022 school year.

The event is run by the high school, but all proceeds goes toward the Macomb Charitable Foundation, an organization that helps impoverished children and their families. It helps with providing financial assistance to help children meet their basic needs.

Utica’s participation with the charity is with the pageant. Ways of raising money for the organization were buying tickets for the event, buying Mr. Chieftain t-shirts, or even just donating. For a few weeks prior to the event, each Mr. Chieftain contestant and their coach sold shirts with a color specifically to them, so that other students would buy a shirt in support for that nominee. It becomes almost like a

competition for all of the contestants to raise the most money and sell the most t-shirts.

Teacher Erin Derk, the organizer of the event, was proud of how the whole pageant played out.

“The total money donated to Macomb Charitable Foundation was $7,518, the largest donation ever,” Derk said. “The contestants and coaches were dedicated and enthusiastic. Mr. Moehlig once again kept the show going and now has a fan club. Mr. Kaczmarcyk graciously gave up time in the auditorium and supported us in every way. His crew made sure the sound and lights were spot on.”

Mr. Chieftain returning for this year shows the gradual return of normality for both the students and teachers that was long awaited since the pandemic. Most people will appreciate the comeback of the well-liked pageant.

“It’s kind of a goofy, fun tradition,” principal Tom Lietz said. “I think it’s a chance for kids to let off some slack. I think this year is fun because it’s kind of a return to some sense of normalcy, which is great, because it’s an activity that in one form or another has been around for a while. It’s a fun way for the students to get a laugh and enjoy some goofy behavior and recognize some skills they didn’t know were there.”