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Q&A with Max Theuer, the winner of Mr. Bellefonte 2018

Max Theuer was among five seniors from Bellefonte Area High School who participated in the annual Mr. Bellefonte competition. This year's event helped raise money for the school's student council to put on mini-Thon in March. Theuer was named Mr. Bellefonte 2018; runner-up was classmate Jack Badger. The title just comes with bragging rights, but Theuer took the time to explain what it was like participating and why he did it.

Question: What exactly was it like on stage?
Answer: It’s a lot less intimidating than you think because you look out there and you think it’s going to be intimidating, but all your friends are laughing and (you) can see how smiley they are. The lights are kind of hot and bright in your face, but it’s not bad.

Q: Your talent portion was great, very original. Explain what you did and how you came up with that idea.
A: Basically what I did was I wore a turtleneck and this black beret, and I sat on this stool and had water, and did a dramatic reading of a Dr. Seuss book called, “There’s a Wocket in my Pocket!” That’s my favorite book as a kid. I had my friend Matt, who also wore a black turtleneck, playing the bongos — a poetry slam-type thing. It was funny; kind of last minute. I was struggling. I did not know what I was going to do. I play the saxophone, so I thought maybe I’d do something like that, but I think my dad suggested something like, “why don’t you do a dramatic reading of something like a kid’s book.”

Q: Do you have a favorite part about the competition?
A: I think it was awesome the personalities of the guys that we had. I’m friends with all of them and they’re all outgoing and funny, so backstage, you’re just behind the curtain and hear everyone cracking up, and it’s so fun to sit back there with your friends and laughing with your other friend on stage doing something.

Q: Why did you decide to do this?
A: My brother did it actually when he was a senior. He was really funny, but he ultimately didn’t win, and so I thought it would be fun, and it was, so I wanted to do what my brother did.

Q: Do you have any tips for guys who want to do this is the future?
A: I say just do it. People are intimidated when you go out there, but you have fun. That’s all I did. I just tried to have fun. I looked out and I saw all my friends laughing and all I think of it is like I’m talking to my friends. I’m up there and have a mic in my face, and I’m not pretending I’m great or anything, but it’s fun to just do it. Be yourself, go out there ... You don’t even have to be that funny of a guy. Just go out there knowing your friends are out there supporting you with your family, and go out and have a good time.

*By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD