Dinuba High School’s annual Mr. Emperor competition returned this year, with three contestants in contention, focusing on their confidence, talent, and character. The event took place at Dinuba High School auditorium Saturday night, March 21st, alongside the announcement of the Senior Pop Polls.  Many attendees dressed in formal wear, as it was “Oscar night” themed, while others came in casual wear to enjoy the show.  The evening ended with the crowning of Jordan Harp as Mr. Emperor, 2026.

According to teacher and advisor Erin Tobias, Mr. Emperor began in 1999 and was created to help junior and senior boys build their confidence and public speaking skills. “This is a way of winning the scholarship based on authentically who you are,” Tobias stated. She explains the competition includes four major parts: an interview, talent, an onstage question, and evening wear. This year, the event was combined with “Oscar Night,” making it a larger school event. 

Tobias, who helped revive the program after it took a break for a few years, said her favorite part is seeing students grow. “I like getting to know the kids on a deeper level,” she said, adding that those who don’t win still get valuable experiences and confidence. 

This year’s contestants were Dinuba’s very own Jordan Harp, Luca Lichtenwaldt, and Abraham Martinez. They each brought something different to the stage, but shared the same goal of stepping out of their comfort zones and trying something new. The night featured a mix of performances, including singing and piano, along with onstage questions that gave judges a better understanding of each contestant. The show opened with a group performance in which the contestants sang and danced together, setting the tone for the night.

Harp, a senior involved in track and field, cross country, and choir, said his high school experience helped him grow and prepare for Mr. Emperor. Harp joined to challenge himself and build confidence; he described the event as a way to show creativity, leadership, and school spirit. Harp performed a theatrical song from “Newsies” and said the experience helped him discover more confidence in his stage presence and personality. After being crowned Mr. Emperor, Harp said he felt “booming with excitement” and believed that being calm and simply being himself during the interview helped him stand out to the judges. “My goals now that I’ve won are, as I said, to be the best version of myself and to keep making others laugh and smile,” said Harp.

Lichtenwaldt entered the competition for a different reason; he wanted to step out of his comfort zone and try something completely new. Encouraged by Mr. Schuster, a math teacher at Dinuba High School, Lichtenwaldt decided to teach himself to play the piano, learning a song in just a few days using YouTube. Lichtenwaldt describes himself as someone who enjoys challenging hobbies such as drawing, solving Rubik’s Cubes, and learning new languages. Lichtenwaldt plans to attend Fresno State to major in education and become a math teacher. Lichtenwaldt says he values hard work and dedication when learning new skills. Lichtenwaldt also shared that the experience gave him a chance to gain confidence performing in front of a crowd, something he’s never done before. “One thing I want people to remember about my performance is that if you practice something with diligence, you could learn it quicker than you might expect.” Says Lichtenwaldt. 

Abraham Martinez, also very involved on campus, participates in water polo, tennis, where he is team captain, band as the assistant drum major, and leadership within the drum program. Martinez says his busy high school experience helped him become more confident and outgoing. “High school has been like a roller coaster, but all the experiences and growth I’ve gone through have made me confident and outgoing,” Martinez says. Inspired by friends who competed before him, Martinez joined to show his personality and interests. With a goal of becoming an actor, he chose singing as his talent to match the Broadway theme. He says balancing all his activities with practices was challenging, but once on stage, he felt comfortable being himself.

At the end of the evening, Luca Lichtenwaldt was awarded Mr. Congeniality and named second runner-up, Abraham Martinez earned first runner-up, and Jordan Harp was crowned Mr.Emperor. Additional performances included the band Noize and a special appearance by past runner-up Andrew Barajas. Judges for the event were Florence Wilson, Aniceta Valdez, Allison Meyer, and Fadra Kiehn.

Beyond the performance, the leadership class helped organize and fundraise for the event, collecting community donations for scholarships and raffle prizes since student body funds cannot be used directly. 

In the end, Mr. Emperor is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity for students to grow, take risks, and represent their school. As Tobias said, by the final night, “you’re just kind of proud… They did it.” For any future student who is interested in running for Mr. Emperor, Lichtenwaldt advises “…to spend less time consuming content and start creating things that you find fun.”

Gallery • 9 Photos

Jazlyn Jacobo

All three Mr. Emperor contestants.