Formed in 2002, when the town of Anthem was just barely taking shape in the Sonoran Desert, the We Care In Anthem non-profit charitable organization has helped many families and their seriously ill children. To raise donations, We Care has hosted a lot of fun fundraisers including comedy shows, golf tournaments and ice cream socials. This year, however, some of the clever folks at Boulder Creek High School have dreamed up what promises to be an entertaining evening of laughs and good-natured mockery. A group of very brave male high school students will take part in the first-ever competition of its kind in Anthem - a male "beauty" contest! A flourish of trumpets, a ruffle of drums, please! This hilarious spoof on beauty pageants - "Mr. BC 2007" - will take place on Monday, April 23 at 7:00 pm in the Boulder Creek Main Gym.

Mr. Boulder Creek 2007 - Anthem's answer to American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and all those other silly TV contests

"You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and... blow." Lauren Bacall to Humphrey Bogart in the film classic "To Have and Have Not"

Girls, practice your best two-fingered wolf whistles and your most vociferous catcalls! Sixteen of Boulder Creek's most good-looking, talented and foolhardy young men will compete to get your attention, and that of the judges, to win the coveted (well, it will be one day) title of Mr. BC 2007. These valiant lads are gearing up to perform a choreographed dance number, display a particular talent they possess and dress up as their favorite rock star - all for a wonderful cause. Each of these contestants will be judged on: choreographed dance, rock star outfit, talent, formal wear, final question, and amount of money individually raised for We Care.

The Stars

And, folks, will you look at the lineup of Stars that will be gathered at this stupendous event! None other than the fabulous, fantastic and fun-loving Chris Prickett will be the Master of Ceremonies; the Director of this unparalleled beauty contest is the distinguished and peerless Michael Crain; and performing as Student Lead, the incomparable, outstanding and sophisticated Briana Ward! More flourishes of trumpets and ruffles of drums, please!

The Judges

More superlatives are in store for the fine judges that have been selected to evaluate these specimens of fine young men of such character and intellect. The esteemed lineup includes: Doug Clark, Arizona State Representative; Ryan Ridenour, Boulder Creek Athletic Director; Jennifer Wallen, Hot Realty; Joanne Truax, Outlet Mall; Shelly Langston, Owner/Publisher of ImagesAZ Magazine; Michele Celantano, Photographic Artist; Alternate: Eric Kilstrom, President of Chamber of Commerce; and Second Alternate: Pamela Gorman, State Senator- District 6. No scowling Simon Cowells here, thank you very much!

The Contestants

Take a gander at the bio's of these dynamite contestants who have been hoodwinked (ah, I mean volunteered) to take part in this awesome event:

Yacine Boraie, Age 17: "My interests are working out, playing dodge ball and eating chipotle burritos." Yacine's future plans are to attend Arizona State University.

Logan Crowther, Age 18: "Baseball is life; girls are fun; listening to music gets me in a groove. My main interest is having fun at all times and doing crazy stuff." Logan 's plans after high school include a road trip, college baseball, parties, and going to the lake a lot.

Avram Estes, Age 17: "I like to hang out with my girlfriend and friends, playing sports, going to midnight movie showings, and playing videogames. I am going to the University of Arizona. I want to become a doctor, have a family, and travel a lot."

Mark Estrada, Age 18: Mark's interests include long board, body board, surf, skate, videogames, hanging out with friends, 'music, music, music,' and drawing. "I might go to PVCC for two years. I would like to study clothing design, Christian education, and business. I love traveling on road trips with friends and visiting places."

Drew Gallo, Age 18: "I enjoy working with the 'Invisible Children' project and having fun! I'm also really into filmmaking." During the summer, Drew plans to travel to Uganda and Peru.

Julian Hamilton, Age 18: Julian loves wrestling, videogames, computers, and the movies. His future plans include trying for a possible scholarship to college, or perhaps a career in the Air Force or Army.

Nathan Hay, Age 18 (on April 20 th ): "I love snowboarding, camping, backpacking, playing sports - anything outside, pretty much. I also enjoy hanging out with friends, watching movies, making food and then eating it. I have just accepted an offer of admission to the Naval Academy. I am still undecided on a major or branch of service."

Kyle Kelly, Age 18: Kyle loves soccer, tennis, Spanish, business, sales, and long walks on the beach. His future plans include studying International Business at the University of Arizona.

Daniel Lovell, Age 18: "I like to run all the time, whenever I can. It's pretty much my life. Girls are fun, I love going to the lake and wake boarding. Logan and I make music videos at his house. After high school I plan to go to PVCC for two years, and then go to Stanford on a running scholarship. After that, I plan on going to Europe and run for either Nike or Adidas."

Justin Lucio, Age 18: "I enjoy hitting up the tanning salon, playing my drums, watching random movies no one knows about and just kickin' it with friends. I plan on going to Musicians Institute of Technology but, if all else fails, ASU. I also hope to be an intern in Latvia for a summer and just work with kids.

Justin Nachtweih, Age: 18: Justin loves the game of golf and just hanging out. After high school graduation: "I am going to University of Arizona to study political science and want to be a lawyer."

Nathan Smith, Age 18: "I like to play guitar, bass, piano and sing. I also love acting and have performed in High School Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Sound of Music and Curious Savage. I am going to PVCC to pursue my career in Music and Acting. I also want to be a missionary for 2 years."

Alex Springer, Age 18 (on April 23 rd ): "I like competitive golf; I love to travel, snowboarding, and chillin' on the beach and looking sexy. I love my job working with kids. I love chillin' with my home dogs." Alex's future plans include attending the University of Arizona to study Engineering.

Zach Zettle, Age 18: "I like to play basketball, work out, hang out, and have fun being a kid. I love music." Zach plans to go to ASU to pursue studies in the health department and maybe doing some traveling out of the country.

The Program

The evening's program will kick off (literally) with the contestants performing a choreographed dance number. Each of these dynamic contestants then gets a chance to dress up as a favorite rock star and walk the catwalk while being introduced to the public. After the talent contest, which is sure to knock your socks off, there will be a brief presentation about the We Care In Anthem organization, followed by these future GQ models walking the runway in their best formal wear. Finally, each contestant will have the opportunity to display their keen intellect and clever repartee as they answer the "Final Question" posed by these tough judges. After what is sure to be a grueling decision-making process, the judges will announce the lucky award winners!

Why is Boulder Creek High School going through all this effort for We Care - besides having fun, that is? Well, this institute of higher learning - only four years old this year - is eager to show its appreciation for the continuous support its staff and students have received from the community. It's a way of "giving back" to the community, and it is hoped that this will be the first of future similar efforts by the school on behalf of the community. These guys and gals will donate one hundred percent of their earnings from this groundbreaking event to the We Care In Anthem organization. So, folks, don't miss this golden opportunity to see the future leaders of our country as they probably won't ever be seen again. Get your tickets now at the Anthem Community Center or at the Boulder Creek High School. They're only $10 each - $5 for children 10 years of age and under.

Josh Coppoth

When normally energetic nine year-old Josh Coppoth of Anthem started complaining of feeling dizzy and having episodes of falling down, his parents, Diana and Michael Coppoth, knew something was terribly wrong. The first appointment they could get with a doctor was over a month away, so they turned to St. Joseph 's Hospital's Children's Health Center, where an MRI was done on Josh on March 14 th. The results of the MRI confirmed their worst fears - Josh had a brain tumor. Josh underwent emergency surgery the next day and the tumor was totally removed.

Follow-up exams have confirmed that the cancer was removed; but of course, Josh will undergo a grueling regime of six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, five days a week. He won't be able to attend regular classes, but the teachers at Gavilan Peak Elementary have prepared lesson plans for Josh so he can be home-schooled for the remainder of the school year. Luckily, Josh is an excellent student and has currently surpassed educational requirements. He is one of the students who has been identified as "Gifted and Talented" in Gavilan Peak's SAGE (Student Advancement through Gifted Education) Program, so there shouldn't be much of a problem for Josh to keep up with the rest of his class when the fall semester starts. Josh is in pretty good condition right now, although his motor skills get weak when he gets overtired, and his parents may seek a physical therapy program for him to help him get back up to speed. Diana and Michael have been very forthcoming about sharing information about his condition with Josh. Josh possesses a curious and inquiring mind and wants to understand everything about his condition, and so he is an active participant in his recovery process. "He has a lot to say about things," his mother Diana told us. "He didn't like the hospital food at all and wanted to get home to 'real food."" "Real" food, the love of his parents and the teasing of his seven-year-old sister Tabitha is sure to get this young man on his feet soon.

Diana and Michael are so grateful for the support, not only of the We Care in Anthem organization, but also of the many neighbors and friends who have pitched in to help. Diane, who works for Nanette McClelland-Miller at State Farm, was so touched about the support she has received from Nanette. "She has been so amazing," Diana says. "I so greatly appreciate her support and the wonderful network of friends that have come forward."

Sing-a-Long Fundraiser - 4/21: Get your vocal cords in good working order and attend the special Sing-a-Long on Saturday, April 21 between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm at the Fellowship Church in Anthem. Team Challenge is in charge of the music and they will have everyone singing beautiful prayer and worship music. If you don't know the words, don't worry; enthusiasm counts and you can just hum along. The sing-a-long was Josh's idea; he truly loves singing spiritual music and thought this was a good way to thank the community for their kindness and prayers. People can give a donation at the door; the monies collected will go to help defray the cost of Josh's continuing treatment. For more information, call Nanette McClelland-Miller at State Farm Insurance, 623-742-6866.

Where to Send Your Donation: If any of us can help a child in crisis, even just a little bit, it can make all the difference in the life of that child. Even small donations add up. To make a financial donation to We Care In Anthem , make your check payable to We Care In Anthem , Wells Fargo Account # 8071793189 and send it to Wells Fargo Bank, 41830 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem, AZ 85086.

Michele Celentano Opens Studio to Benefit We Care
Photographic Artist, Michele Celentano will open her studio for a tour on Saturday, April 21 from 11 am to 3:00 pm as a fundraiser for We Care in Anthem. You'll get to meet Michele and view some of her internationally recognized competition prints. Raffle tickets will be sold at $20.00 each; winners will receive a top prize of $1,000.00 and credits towards portraits done by Michele at her studio. Fifty percent of all sessions fees for new sessions booked at this event will also be donated to We Care in Anthem.

INFO> 623-551-0042; michelecelentano.com