source: Suncoastnews, June 3, 2008
Ridgewood High School photo
Karissa Bertling poses with her towering first-place trophy after being named the 2008 Ms. Ridgewood High. Bertling is the first female freshman to win in the competition’s 19 years.
Bertling was named to the first team of the 2008 All-SAC track and field team in the 400 meters.
The bodybuilding competition’s organizer, J.D. Baker, said the event had a good turnout and raised nearly $3,000. All proceeds go toward the Ridgewood athletic fund.
“The students were going nuts,” Baker said of those in attendance and cheering on the 24 total contestants. “They really got into it.”
He added that the May 23 event’s production included multiple other side skits, such as teachers dressing up in muscle suits, dancing and cracking jokes.
River Ridge and Wesley Chapel high schools now also put on Mr. and Ms. bodybuilding competitions. Ridgewood’s, however, was Pasco County’s first. It has raised more than $30,000 for the school’s athletic fund since its 1989 inception.