Old Colony Archives
Old Colony students raise funds to help boy get transplant
By Collette Pelletier, Standard-Times correspondent
April 18, 2002
ROCHESTER -- Sometimes winning is not everything.
That was certainly the case at the Mr. Cougar contest recently at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School.
Fourteen contestants from the senior class performed and entertained, not only in hopes of becoming the first Mr. Cougar, but also to help a local 12-year-old boy who needs a bone marrow transplant.
"It was the most positive thing as far as the school goes," said Matthew Trahan, a teacher and coordinator of the event. "A lot of the kids said that it was the best thing they had ever done."
The fund raising included a bake sale. All of the proceeds from the event were donated to C.J. Crooks of Acushnet, who needs a bone marrow transplant.
The school found out about C.J. through one of the teachers who is related to him, officials said.
"The greatest part was that they didn't even know C.J.," Mr. Trahan said. "They didn't care who won, they just had fun together."
At the end of the night, however, there was a winner. Eric Beauregard became the first Mr. Cougar. Robert Michaud was first runner-up and Jacob Souto was second runner-up.
Mr. Trahan explained that the idea to start Mr. Cougar came from his experience in high school when he was a contestant for Mr. Stang. He said it was a great experience that he wanted to pass on to students at Old Colony today.
The positive spirit of the night was evident in a response by Jacob Souto, when he was asked what he would do with a million dollars.
He responded that he would give half of it to C.J. Crooks so that he could have a better chance at a normal life.