MDR, formerly known as Mr. Deep Run, is a yearly school talent show and pageant where students demonstrate their unique skills for their peers for a chance to win a variety of prizes. The available rewards were two different massage gift certificates, a four-pack of Richmond Squirrels tickets, and a variety of $25 gift cards.

   This year at the 20th Annual MDR on Friday, April 26, many different  talents were seen, ranging from singing solos and dance numbers to heated debates and impressive raps.

   The singers of the night were senior Grace Williams, who sang “Holy Forever” by CeCe Winans; senior Jack Spinella, who did karaoke to “Ballad of Dwight Fry” by Alice Cooper; junior Austin Leftwich, who sang “Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin and was accompanied by senior Colin Gordon on the guitar; junior Maitreyee Karnik, who sang “Nazm Nazm;” and senior Andrew Riley, who sang “Cry” from “Forever Plaid.” Additionally, senior Seabass Soekawa and sophomore Nischal Alladi beatboxed and rapped, respectively.

      Nonvocal acts were sophomore Linden Kayes and sophomore Oba Ogunade, who performed a debate skit on the greatness of the Dab vs. the Sunshine Lebron meme; senior Caroline Grzesiek, who enacted a dramatic spoken word version of Avril Lavigne’s 2002 hit song “Sk8er Boi;”  and juniors Oli Blaess and Estelle Brousseau, who danced to “Rasputin” by Boney M.

   “I decided to do a mock debate, sort of like a skit. My friend Linden, who is also in debate, convinced me to do it [with her]… I was sort of nervous, but also excited,” Ogunade said.

   At the end of the night, Riley was crowned the winner of MDR, in addition to his other title “Best Talent.” Brousseau was awarded “MDR Congeniality,” and Ogunade and Kayes were the “Best Leisure Wear” winners. As for the Runner-Ups, 2nd place was given to Leftwich and Gordon, and 3rd place went to Maitreyee Karnik.

   “I liked Andrew Riley’s performance the most. His voice sounded amazing, his outfit matched the song perfectly, and I felt like he was full of emotion while singing which made it even more enjoyable. All of the performances were great, but Andrew’s was the most attention-drawing and captivating for me,” junior Alaina Garcia said.