Cascade High School seniors dazzle as Kens in Mr. Kodiak 2024 Barbie-inspired contest

Jackson Feeney
CHS Publications Group

LEAVENWORTH—Doors opened at 6:15 p.m., and a sizable portion of Leavenworth and beyond turned out to support the senior class of 2024. This year's Mr. Kodiak theme was based on the Barbie movie, and the all-male contestants each portrayed their own version of the iconic Ken doll.

Were they Kenough? Many onlookers asked as they started to fill the stands. Before the show started, a silent auction offered an array of items, from hats to goody bags, with all proceeds benefiting the senior class’s sober party. Steve Pate, who greatly contributed and helped put on this year’s Mr. Kodiak, opened the night by thanking everyone who put their time and effort into this wonderful event.  “This was not a one man show by no means. We would show up every Monday starting in January for two hours and then these past two weeks it's probably been fourteen hours,” said Pate.

Senior contestants Juan Alvarado, Scott Lindsay, Dylan Munly, Blue Knutson, Jasper Bard, Peyton Adams, and Thatcher Pate kicked off the event with a choreographed dance to one of the Barbie movie’s most popular songs: I’m Just Ken. With flips and humorous gimmicks, the gentlemen were trying their best to impress the Barbies. Not only did the Kens have their own dance routine, so did the Barbies, which added to the energy in the auditorium. 

With a round of applause, the event introduced the voice of the valley himself, Clint Strand. Each contestant was expected to answer two pre-determined questions posted by Strand and one random question from the judges. A memorable response was from Pilot Ken, Scott Lindsay, in response to the judge’s question “If you had to choose between a car, plane, bus, or walk what one would you take?” Without hesitation Scott answered, “That’s easy, I'll just fly my plane.” 

With many unique responses and Steve Pate auctioning more donations, it was time for the talent contest. Ripe with comedic gold and interesting talents, Juan Alvarado brought everyone back to the mid 2000s with his reference to Napoleon Dynamite and his iconic dance sequence. 

Scott Lindsay’s performance involved a grand piano and a lengthy monologue about himself as pilot Ken, showcasing both his sense of humor and musical talent. 

Later in the evening,  Magic Ken, Thatcher Pate, showed off his “magic” skills in a comedic sketch with his Barbie Cassadie Gillespie. “I thought it was a mojo dojo, casa crazy house. I think the crowd thought it was magic,” said Thatcher Pate after his performance. 

Biker Ken, portrayed by Blue Knutson, rode his penny-farthing, a high-wheel bicycle, ont to stage and demonstrated his strange, yet accurate, fortune-telling skills with his one-of-a-kind humor that got the crowd buzzing. 

Jasper Bard, aka Yoge Ken, and his Babie, Lucy Thomas, put together a dance routine to The Time of my Life from the movie Dirty Dancing. Their dance featured wild and iconic moves.

Australian Ken, Dylan Munly, showed the crowd how to tame wild animals from Down Under in a goofy way with a strong Australian accent. 

For the final talent of the night from the contestants, Disco Ken, also known as Peyton Adams, sang Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers. The crowd absolutely loved it. 

As the judges added up scores and determined the 2024 winner of Mr. Kodiak, The CHS staff demonstrated their dance skills and sense of humor with performance showcasing school scenarios from a teacher's perspective.

After auctioning off a good sum of gifts to support the senior class and waiting for the judges return, Clint Strand called out the contestants and their awards. Finally, with one name left, Blue Knutson came out on top, winning the title of 2024 Mr. Kodiak. “I am very happy; it took a lot of work, and it paid off. I put in at least fifteen hours with photoshopping. I think I presented it fifteen times to my parents trying to figure it out,” said Knutson.