Who will be the 'Bonsall Dude?'

Six young men have made the final cut to be considered for the Bonsall Chamber of Commerce’s first ‘Bonsall Dude’ — a position they compare to Miss Fallbrook, but for a boy. Finalists include Bradley Doke, Stuart Henderson, Adam McGrath, Cullen Mandrayar, Richard Riddle and Alan Talavera, all students of Sullivan Middle School.

The contest, an idea Chamber President Leigh Ann Howard says she had, was offered to Bonsall boys between sixth and eighth grade.

“I have long felt that the boys don’t get as many opportunities,” Howard said. “There are contests for Miss this and Miss that, Girl of the Year, etc. We would like to see the boys get some credit.”

The boys interested in the position were asked to submit answers to a set of questions provided by the organization.

“We are watching their communication skills and how they answer the questions we pose to them,” said Howard at a luncheon held for the finalists on October 7 at Pala Mesa Resort’s Aquaterra Restaurant. Involved in the event were Chamber members Howard, Marilyn Schweibold, Tony Flores and Bonsall Assistant Superintendent Wayne Jones.

Questions posed to the boys included ‘What are your favorite school subjects?’ ‘What is your favorite thing to do outside of school and why?’ ‘What special skills do you wish to gain before you graduate from high school?’ ‘What is your GPA [grade point average]?’ ‘What are you saving money for at this time?’ ‘Give three examples of a nice or kind act done for another person by one or both of your parents,’ ‘Give three examples of good manners that you commonly use when interacting with your peers and adults,’ ‘List three examples of how you regularly show respect for adults and seniors’ and ‘Tell us why you are proud to live in Bonsall and give two examples of why you feel it is important to be part of the community.’

The six candidates all appeared very earnest and enthused to be interviewed in the final round. Because of the Bonsall Chamber, one of these young men is about to have the experience of a lifetime.

“Bonsall is a unique community and when we have business functions, it will be nice to have them involved,” Howard said.

The winner of the ‘Bonsall Dude’ competition will be announced at noon this Saturday, October 14, at the Bonsall Country Festival in River Village.