Ten Crescent Valley High School seniors are vying to be crowned "Mr. CV" at an April 11 pageant at the high school auditorium.

Mr. CV contestants are teamed with a female student in an effort to raise money for charitable causes. Teams include: Connor Bildfell and Kacie Melton; Logan Cooper and Kenzie Hruby; Scott Lembke and Mackenzie Entrikin; Bryce Leonard and Monica Down; Steve Paasch and Hanna Lorenz; Matt Sheets and Tess Wheatcroft; Matt Smouse and Maddie King; Brian Tostberg and Lizzie Vitello; Lucas Wadman and Becca Wales; and Jake Weber and Molly Palmer.

Event coordinators are Ashten Johnson, 18, Ellie Casey, 18, and Emily Gitt, 17.

"We started planning this last June," Johnson said. "We started on the last day of school."

The pageant has been an important part of Crescent Valley culture since the 1990s, the young women said. This year's goal is to raise $22,099 to be donated to the Old Mill Center for children and families, Jackson Street Youth Shelter and the Children's Miracle Network.

Events held so far have included a middle-school dance, Cold Stone Creamery night, mistletoe kisses, half-court shots at basketball games, bottle and can drives and sending out letters seeking donations.

A garage sale is planned April 4, and that night there will be a film festival of

student-created videos.

Another big event coming up is a group date night. Students are invited to buy tickets for a drawing. One boy and one girl will win a chaperoned group date with either the male contestants or their female teammates.

The coordinators said that although planning the pageant and fundraisers has been a lot of work, it also has helped them connect with students they didn't know well before.

"All of us are involved in spring sports, and we're busy, but it's worth it," Gitt said.

"It has been the height of my senior year," Casey said.

"All three of us are old friends, so we knew we would work well together," Johnson said. "We know each other, and we know each other's working style."

The coordinators said many Crescent Valley students want to get involved because it's a lot of fun, but it's also important that they realize the event is fundamentally to raise money for charities.

During a recent meeting, the coordinators reminded contestants that they hope to raise $7,000 the night of the pageant by raffling off gift baskets and a dash for cash. Tickets are available at the school and are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

That evening's events will include a dance routine, talent showcase, a question-and-answer session, a video of events held over the past few months, and the crowning of Mr. CV.

CVHS athletic director Craig Ellingson is the group's adviser.

"You're doing very well," Ellingson recently said. "You have already exceeded your goal. You're doing especially well considering the economic situation."

Last year, students raised $45,000 for charity.

Editor's note: Read about the Mr. Spartan contest in Thursday's Gazette-Times.

Alex Paul can be contacted at alex.paul@lee.net or by calling 758-9526.