Matsudaira crowned ‘Next Top Mountaineer’ after competition’s two-year absence

“The Sassy Seven” contenders performing the closing dance. “Next Top Mountaineer” returned to the stage at HVRHS on Friday, May 16, after a two year absence.
Simon Markow

“The Sassy Seven” contenders performing the closing dance. “Next Top Mountaineer” returned to the stage at HVRHS on Friday, May 16, after a two year absence.
This spring, members of the Student Government Association worked hard to bring back Housatonic’s Next Top Mountaineer after two years without a competition.
SGA Vice President Tessa Dekker organized the event. “As the last class to have witnessed the Next Top Mountaineer, we felt that if we didn’t do it this year, the tradition would be lost,” said Dekker, whose efforts helped transform the vision into a full-scale production.
The show displayed the unique characteristics of seven students at HVRHS. “The Sassy Seven” contestants — Henry Berry, Charlie Castellanos, Andy Delgado, Justin Diaz, Manny Matsudaira, Jassim Mohydin and Joseph Villa — competed in multiple categories: personality, Q&A, lip syncing, formal wear and talent.
After careful consideration from the judges, Manny Matsudaira took home the crown and title of “Housatonic’s Next Top Mountaineer 2025.”
Matsudaira, familiar with the event through his older siblings, was eager to participate. “I grew to understand it as a really exciting and fun opportunity for seniors,” he said. For him and the others, the show became a chance to grow and have fun while doing something bold and new.
Rehearsals began about three weeks prior to the event, following school and sports. Initially focused on choreography and structure, practices eventually shifted to refining each contestant’s individual performance.

Dekker noted the difficulties behind the scenes. “While it was challenging to coordinate seven boys with little to no experience on the stage, they all put in the work to make an amazingly successful production.”
The preparation wasn’t strictly physical. “Of course there was a level of mental preparation that we all had to do a few nights before the show,” Matsudaira said. “The most rewarding part of the competition was the confidence I gained from stepping very, very far out of my comfort zone.” The competitors didn’t just simply dance and showcase their talents, they intentionally performed in a ridiculous manner.

Classmate Katelin Lopes hosted the event. “I was kept on my toes by all of the contestants,” she said. “It was a very fun-filled night.” Matsudaira agreed, praising the crowd. He said, “The fun atmosphere of the night was a good reflection of the quality of the production and the work we put into it.”
Winning meant more than just a title for Matsudaira. “Being Housatonic’s Next Top Mountaineer has its greatest meaning in terms of tradition and that I’m joining a list of other Housatonic graduates,” he said. “It’s fun to win any sort of competition but this one is special in that there’s a legacy among Housatonic and that this is the first year that we’re bringing it back.”
Matsudaira’s talents don’t end on stage, he’s also this year’s valedictorian and will be attending Harvard University in the fall. He says the key to academic and extracurricular achievement is developing a passion for each activity. “When you’re looking forward to the events you participate in and the ways that you are academically challenged at school, finding success is much easier.”
The HVRHS boys rejoice around Jackson McAvoy after he scored the game-winning goal against Shepaug with just two minutes left to play.
WASHINGTON — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys varsity soccer team advanced to the Berkshire League tournament final after a 1-0 win over Shepaug Valley High School in the semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 24.
Jackson McAvoy scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
The victory marked HVRHS boys soccer’s first victory over Shepaug since 2020.
“Finally,” said HVRHS Coach Adolfo Portillo after the game.
HVRHS will play top-ranked Nonnewaug High School in the BL final. Nonnewaug advanced to the title game by beating Northwestern Regional High School in penalty kicks (4-3) after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The championship game will be played at Nonnewaug beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

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Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.
As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.
Spirit week from Oct. 14-17 was unlike those of the previous years. From wearing Housatonic merch to Boomer vs Baby day, this year’s spirit week held a little friendly competition to see which grade could participate the most.
“I think that students are bored of the same old activities and events, so it’s good to switch things up even slightly to incentivize interest within students,” said SGA president and senior Mollie Ford. “Plus the point system is super beneficial because it gives students a reason to participate.”
The school spirit sentiment can be seen outside of just the school. Senior Simon Markow is known for his photography throughout the community, and has dedicated time to help Housy sports teams’ social media posts.
“Since I’ve started photography, I think school attendance [at sports games] has gone up,” Markow said. “I feel this year, students will be more aware of games and are more likely to be at the games.”
Whether it’s a pink-out volleyball game or an under the lights soccer match, it’s likely you’ll see some familiar faces.
Social media has played a large role in this over the years. Almost every student organization at Housatonic has an Instagram account, and it’s helped reach students more efficiently than a poster or email would.
“The increase of social media use, with the help from me but as well as the teams themselves has definitely increased student interest,” Markow said. “With Housy teams posting more about their upcoming games, and my help showing the cool goals, spikes, or touchdowns, it’s enlightened students to watch the games themselves.”
In a small school, promoting pride has proven to be a challenge. But this year’s senior class has made some adjustments in the hopes to change that.
“The SGA community has spent the last few years really focusing on student participation, because we think it’s the students who contribute to a better climate,” Ford said. While Housatonic’s student body may be small in size, it seems they certainly aren’t small in spirit.