Mr. Parkland 2015 Alfred Hayward returned to his alma mater this past weekend to be a judge at the Mr. Parkland 2017 competition.

Army Pfc. Hayward, serving with the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Meade, Md., spoke with The Press about the competition.

He said Melissa Goldstein, a Mr. Parkland advisor and one of his high school teachers, contacted him in September 2016 and asked him to help judge the competition.

“Being a prior contestant, I know just how much energy and excitement there is for each show, and I wanted to enjoy it again,” he said.

“I also wanted to experience the event from the opposite side of the table and to give back to the show that had given me so much.”

He said being a judge at this year’s competition was exciting and offered him a whole new perspective of the show.

“Overall, I was filled with joy and happiness to be a part of the show once again,” Hayward said.

Asked what advice he would offer future Mr. Parklands, who might be asked to be a judge, Hayward said being a judge can be tough, especially when each contestant brings so much talent to the stage.

“My advice for future judges would be to look for enthusiasm and stage presence,” Hayward said. “I think these qualities are crucial for contestants, as it shows their excitement for competing and giving it their all.”

Hayward also commented about competing in 2015 and being named Mr. Parkland.

He said competing in Mr. Parkland in 2015 was such an amazing experience.

“All the guys were so talented and each brought something unique to the show,” Hayward said. “Practice was always the highlight of my day.

“Being crowned Mr. Parkland was an unreal feeling. It was the culmination of numerous sacrifices and hundreds of hours of hard work – from practicing my act to grueling workouts in the gym.

“Everything paid off and it has become one of my fondest memories.”

Hayward said having the title of Mr. Parkland has helped him in many ways.

The rigorous training for the show instilled qualities in him that he uses today such as working under pressure, being disciplined for extended periods of time, and realizing anything is possible when one works hard.

He offers the following advice to future students competing in the Mr. Parkland competition.

“I would definitely recommend doing something different, full of energy, and something that will stand out to the judges,” he said. “That was my mindset when I competed, and also some of the qualities I looked for as a judge.”