Do you know Morgan Hill does not have a Miss Morgan Hill?
Do you know Morgan Hill does not have a Miss Morgan Hill?
“No young lady waving her hand at us in the parades. And yet, every other city does,” Morgan Hill Access Television volunteer Jim Carrillo said Saturday afternoon; he’s the creator of the inaugural Mr. Fungi and Miss Mushroom hometown pageant.
The pageant rivaled Miss America though void of scandals, complete with audience squeals, big bouquets of flowers and a sparkling crown for the 2011 Miss Mushroom, Live Oak junior Haley Price. Her counterpart, Morgan Hill’s Mr. Fungi is Adam Groen, a senior at Live Oak. The two were prom dates this year, but applied for the titles unbeknownst to the other.
Groen said his mom forwarded a link on Facebook to Price’s mom who encouraged her to apply. She did and not until the competitions at MHAT began did the prom dates realize they might reconnect at Mushroom Mardi Gras’ main stage Saturday.
“We were texting back and forth about making the semi-finals. It was pretty funny. She texted me this morning, telling me we won,” Groen said.
Groen isn’t camera shy, he has been an extra in movies like “What Dreams May Come” and nearly made the cut for a Duracell commercial as a child. Groen likes to also go horseback riding, hunting and skiing and has plans to study economics post high school graduation.
“It’s an honor to represent Morgan Hill,” Groen said after receiving his pageant sash reading “Mr. Fungi.”
About a dozen friends gathered at the packed amphitheater to clap for Price who is the rally commissioner at Live Oak – her only public speaking gig since the MHAT try-outs she said.
“I’m excited because I get to be a part of this community and represent everyone,” Price said with a perpetual grin.
“I do love mushrooms. Definitely. Especially on steak, sauteed. Yum,” she said.
After brainstorming with friends at MHAT, Carrillo concocted the contest open to teens who have pride in their town and want to represent Morgan Hill in the Christmas and Fourth of July parades.
In the first modern-day contest of its kind in Morgan Hill, MHAT put the teens to modern-day tests. They were given an education in broadcast and multi-media using a green screen for several tasks at the MHAT studios on Second Street. The contest began two months ago and whittled the field to four candidates based on how they did hosting a weather report, traffic update and in-person interviews with mushroom growers in the area.
Price and Groen also received a $200 scholarship each from MHAT.
