Homecoming week means it’s time for one of the most popular events at Naperville North, Mr. NNHS. This year, 11 senior boys will be taking the stage to show the audience and judges why they deserve the title of Mr. NNHS. I talked to the contestants to find out about who they are and what they’re doing. Here’s what they had to say.

Nate Luckmann

What are you involved in at North?

“Boys gymnastics, and self-proclaimed funny person.”

What are you most excited to show off to the audience at the show?

“I’m most excited to see if what I think is funny is actually funny to the majority of the population or if I am just insane. Either way, it’ll be a learning experience.”

Steven Shi

What are you involved in at North?

“I’m a captain of our state-champion Math Team, a peer tutor, and the founder of Harmony, a school-sponsored club that performs live music for residents of retirement homes. I’m also a member of Future Problem Solving, a competitive team problem-solving organization.”

What are you most excited to show off to the audience at the show?

“I’m most excited for the talent portion of the show. I’ll be attempting to solve a 2×2 Rubik’s Cube blindfolded, which is something that many people haven’t seen before. Hopefully, they’ll be open-minded about it!”

Gabe Matar

What are you involved in at North?

“Wrestling, Student Government, JKB, Senior Board, FMSC club, and supporting the soccer team.”

Why did you decide to try out for Mr. NNHS?

“I was actually in the show sophomore year helping with Jack DiRienzo’s talent. He was a ventriloquist and he used me as a dummy. It was so much fun, and I couldn’t wait until my senior year so I could participate.”

Kevin Mackh

Why did you decide to try out for Mr. NNHS?

“I decided to participate in Mr. NNHS because this is something that I wouldn’t normally do, and I think it is important to step out of your comfort zone, especially since this will be pretty much my first time up on stage. I thought that this would be a very memorable way to kick off my senior year.”

What are you most excited to show off to the audience at the show?

“I am excited to just entertain the audience and show off my creativity. I feel like This is a very unique platform for me to do so, and I hope that the audience has as much fun as I do with the show.”

Michael Winner

What are you involved in at North?

“I am involved with Show Choir, Theater Club, the musical, Jewish Student Connection, and Adaptive PE.”

Why did you decide to try out for Mr. NNHS?

“I tried out for Mr. NNHS because, why not? Mr. NNHS is such a big part of senior year and I didn’t want to go through senior year regretting not doing something.”

Mike Rapsys

Why did you decide to try out for Mr. NNHS?

“As a senior, I want to make as many memories as I can. When I got a slip of paper asking me to try out, I knew that this would be a perfect opportunity to have fun.”

What are you most excited to show off to the audience at the show?

“Honestly I’m excited for everything. The talent show is going to be amazing but I chose some spicy outfits for the walk.”

Aaron Steele

What are you involved in at North?

“I am involved in Oasis, BSLA, and a book club at North. Outside of North, I am involved in a community theater and I volunteer at the Brookfield Zoo.”

Why did you decide to try out for Mr. NNHS?

“I decided to try out because I wanted to come out of my shell a bit and try something unique.”

Chris Johnson

What are you involved in at North?

“I’m involved in JKB, Feed My Starving Children Club, NNHS Basketball and NNHS Soccer Dawg Pound Leader.”

Why did you decide to try out for Mr. NNHS?

“I tried out because last year I was in Scott Smith’s act and had a ton of fun. I figured, ‘Why not do it myself?’”

Andreas Papageorge

What are you involved in at North?

“I am involved in DECA, Feed My Starving Children Club, YoungLife, and Senior Board.”

What are you most excited to show off to the audience at the show?

“I am mainly excited about the show as a whole and getting to do it personally, but I am looking forward to playing my guitar for the school and see what they think.”

Anthony Gallegos

What are you involved in at North?

“I am involved in Wrestling, Lacrosse, I am the leader of Healthy Huskies, which is an anti-alcohol and anti-drug group, I’m a First Class, PE and a Dawg Pound leader. I’m also a Dean’s Aid.”

What are you most excited to show off to the audience at the show?

“Honestly I’m excited for all of it. It should be a great time, and I’m also excited to watch all of the other amazing acts.”

Jay Bhatia

Why did you decide to try out for Mr. NNHS?

“I decided to try out for Mr. NNHS because it seemed like something new and fun to try out. I’ve always had a good sense of humor, and I figured that doing the show would be a step out of my comfort zone, something that I’m trying to do a lot of during my senior year.”

What are you most excited to show off to the audience at the show?

“I’m really excited to show off my sense of humor and kind of just my personality to everyone, I love making people laugh, and that’s my main goal for the show this Thursday.”

Mr. NNHS is on Thursday, Sept. 14 in the NPAC. There is an entrance fee of $5, however you can save $1 if you bring school supplies to donate to relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey. Donate to the cause and come see this amazing show.