OCHS Crowns First-Ever 'Mr. Oak Creek'

Thirteen Oak Creek High School seniors competed in the first-ever "Mr. Oak Creek" competition Friday night, but there could be only one winner: John Hammernik, a Marine Corps enlistee and future Marquette student.

The exhibition was a twist on conventional pageantry, which usually features a field of hopeful young women. This time around, a group of brave young men showed off their skills and personalities, much to the delight of the crowd.

Apart from the gender swap, Mr. Oak Creek featured much of your standard contest fare, including active-wear, formal-wear, talent and question/answer categories.

The talent portion of the show saw a variety of singing and choreographed dance, including one particularly dynamic sign-language interpretation of the "Star Spangled Banner."

Non-student judges presided over the show, whittling down the field of participants from thirteen to seven to four and finally to one. 

Hammernik was initially announced as the third runner-up by a senior-class officer, but that ruse was quickly exposed, for he had truly won the day. 

His win can likely be attributed to his clear and concise response to his final pageant inquest, the old gem - “What would you do if you won the lottery?” Hammernik stated a desire to spend, invest and eventually buy his way into the political arena.

Along with the bragging rights that inevitably follow the title of the first-ever Mr. Oak Creek, Hammernik also received a trophy and will have his name immortalized on a school plaque. 

Proceeds from the event go toward the senior class gift, which will be presented to the school at graduation this spring.

Along with Hammernnik, Dominic Strack, Chris Bournelis, Luis Torres, Zak Lenski, Derrick Ziegler, William Canzoneri, Scott Buth, Jorge Carranza, Stephan Hart, Jacob Wergin, Aaron Maybin and Andy Nirode of Oak Creek High's senior class competed in the event.