ISHPEMING — A new Mr. Upper Peninsula will be crowned this Friday night at the Vista Theatre. We have all the candidates and a poll for you to pick a favorite. Who should be crowned this year’s ‘Mr. Upper Peninsula’?

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1. DAN SCHETTER 28% 294 Votes

Name: Dan Schetter
City Marquette
Date of Birth: 13-09-1978
Place of Birth: Ishpeming, MI

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

This washed up old surf bum was made on Michign Street in Marquette, making me pretty firging local as a Yooper. Was an original 10 pm curfew breaker in the 80’s in Ishpeming. My Grandfather ran Freeborn that connected da Mackinac Bridge so da trolls can come U.P. and buy pasties, visit da Yooper Tourist, eat at Bucks, and stop at Yooper Shirts to get proper clothing.

I can cut haul, split and stack 8 cords of wood before noon break and river swim-time. I learned how to drive a tractor when I was 7 years old, never knowing what a clutch was but darn sure how to use it. I retired from ice fishing to give everyone else a chance. One time I fell through the ice in the lower harbor and barely survived, now I surf in da ice all winter to stay connected to the stokes God’s Country has to offer.
Even though I ain’t never seen da turdy point buck, I have communicated with Sasquatch through a series of knocks on a tree. I can communicate in all Yooper dialects, my strongest include my native Lake Bancroft dialect, but I’ve grown quite fond of the Calumet-style thick.

I have a surf team named U.People. I give lessons under the name “Washed U.P. Surf Lessons.” I’m the only freshwater surfer I know to surf Teal Lake when they’re are 50 mile west winds to produce rideable waves in Negaunee, I’m known as the Alley Yoopoer, Sir U.P., UPSURFER, Surfer Dan, the “King of the North Shore Mainland,” the “King of Lake Superior” and the “Coldest Surfer in the World.” I also suffer from a severe case of Ispeming Hematitus, eh!

I love the U.P.
And Da U.P. loves me.
I was made right U.P. the street
I was born right U.P. da street
I grew U.P. right up da street

And I learned to swim right U.P. da street. I’m only as awsome as I am because of the area and people that I come from, and want to honor U.P.eople by wearing the Mr. Upper Peninsula Crown.

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

Cleaning Beach For Spiritual connection
Free Surf Lessons
I like to take people suffering from ptsd or addiction issues hiking to waterfalls for a new lifestyle.
I’m active in trying to bring attention to our sacred lakes and bringing awareness to the oil pipeline and it’s hazardous presence.
I also have a community garden that people may freely eat from.
All other volunteer stuff I’ll keep private because not everyone needs to know how sweet Sir U.P. really is.

Three Words That Best Describe You: MR. UPPER PENINSULA!

2. JESSE KAINULAINEN 22% 234 Votes

Name: Jesse Kainulainen
City Skandia
Date of Birth: 01-12-1974
Place of Birth: Bell Hospital, Ishpeming, MI

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

Well, I think my name says it all: Kainulainen! I was born in Bell Hospital, Ishpeming 41 years ago and have never moved out of Marquette County.

My family is from Negaunee and Soumi Location south of Palmer. I started out life on the Kainulainen farm south of Palmer on the Missouri Road (County Road 565). Before I was 5, I was in the woods logging with my dad and uncle. When I got to school age, my family moved farther south on Missouri Road so that we were 10 miles from Palmer and 10 miles from Gwinn. I went to school in Gwinn until early 7th grade. Then we moved to the west end. For the remainder of 7th grade I went to National Mine. Next, Champion in 8th grade, Westwood for 9th and 10th grade, and finally ended up in what I consider my hometown, Negaunee, where I graduated from in 1993. For the next 7 years I attended NMU until I graduated and started teaching high school science in the “big city” of Marquette. My wife and I have lived in Skandia for the last 13 years. Needless to say, I have a unique perspective on Marquette County and the U. P.!

My whole life I have been taking saunas, picking blueberries on the Sands Plains, swimming at ‘Champion Beach’ surviving blizzards, eating pasties, picking up the layaway from Shopko, and watching TV 6 news. I even celebrated my 21st birthday at Tino’s! The U. P. truly is someplace special. There is no other place I’d prefer to live and raise my two kids in!!

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

I work at Marquette Alternative High School: every day is providing service to the community by mentoring and teaching the youth of Marquette County!

In high school I was in the National Honor Society and also participated in Bowl For Kids Sake
In college at NMU, I was in the Superior Geograpy Club, Golden Key Honor Society, and the Biological Honor Society. While with these groups I participated in numerous events in the community, such as Make-a-Difference day, Highway cleanup, and National Geography Week activities.

Also, while in college, I volunteered to to run and judge events for the Seaborg Center’s Science Olympiad multiple times.
These organizations were all science related; that was my favorite subject and my major. These organizations all tried to give back to the community. I have always felt like I owed the community. I grew up poor living on welfare and social security. This state and country have provided for me when my parents could not, so I feel obliged to return the favor and be a contributing member of society.

What three words best describe you?: Good Lighthearted Intelligent

3. JASON ASSELIN 10% 111 Votes

Name: Jason Asselin
City Kingsford
Date of Birth: 19-05-1972
Place of Birth: Memphis, TN

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

I produce videos from the U.P. showcasing many places and things to do! With close to 5,000 subscribers on YouTube (+7 Million Hits), my Facebook on my page called “Jason Asselin – U.P. News & Video” with nearly 5,000 likes, plus another FB page called “I Love Upper Michigan” with over 9,000 likes, I provide content people love to watch and see!

During the winter I am known to wear my 100% real skunk fur hat, I like to film snowmobile racing in the U.P. and also have a FB page called “Just Snowmobiles” with over 11,000 likes on it.

Did I mention the full beard I wear all year long? How much more Yooper can I get?

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

I volunteer with the Michigan Patriot Guard Riders, we honor Veterans by providing flag-lines during funerals or events when asked.. We also provide motorcycle escorts for deploying/returning troops in the upper Michigan area.

What three words best describe you?: Trustworthy Dependable Outgoing

4. BRADY SKEWIS 7% 73 Votes

Name:Brady Skewis
City Marquette
Date of Birth: 03-10-1994
Place of Birth: Negaunee, MI

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

Besides being naturally adorable, I’d consider myself a genuine “Yooper” type. Kind, good-spirited, knowledgeable of the town I grew up in to the bare bones… And I mean just look at my cute mug.

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

If you’ve ever heard of it, it’s this beautiful little theater down on Iron St. No, not the Pearl. It’s called “The Vista,” and I’ve been doing my part for the past 4 years hauling stuff, and painting stuff, and really loving everyone and everything going on down there. Great place, would definitely recommend checking it out.

What three words best describe you?: Definitely Not (a) Lumberjack

5. JACOB LAITINEN 7% 70 Votes

Name: Jacob Laitinen
City Marquette
Date of Birth: 15-10-1991
Place of Birth: Marquette

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

I have lived in Marquette my whole life, with romps elsewhere. I have seen the beauty of the U.P. first hand and it touched my soul. I may not be a typical yooper, but my roots are firmly planted here. Making people laugh, and singing my heart out, are two of the best feelings I get in this world, and I’ve been lucky enough to have both in bushels here in the U.P.

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

I have done community theater at The Historic Vista Theater, and other theater companies around the U.P. this might not be community service, but it’s been on a volunteer basis.

What three words best describe you?: Boisterous Jovial Adventerous

6. ALEC VANHORN 6% 69 Votes

Name: Alec VanHorn
City Ishpeming
Date of Birth: 02-12-1996
Place of Birth: Marquette Michigan

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

I was born and raised in the Yoop and wouldn’t want it to be any different. Ive been fishing for trout all through the woods around big bay since I was a youngin and don’t mine getting dirty. I’m willing to work and chop wood as a hired hand and get dirt on my hands.

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

I volunteer at the Historic Vista Theater almost year round. I do this because I enjoy being involved in the theater as well as giving back to the theater when I can. I have also volunteered as a worker at the local races such as the rave run or the mud plunge. I did this during highschool as a way to give back to my community for all their help that they gave to the programs I was involved in

What three words best describe you?: This’s My Swamp

7. ADAM LOMAN 6% 68 Votes

Name: Adam Loman
City Ishpeming
Date of Birth: 21-08-1996
Place of Birth: Marquette, MI

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

While there are surely many reasons for choosing a man to become the “Mr. U.P.”, I strongly believe myself to be the greatest possible representation of a Yooper man. I have accomplished many great feats on my epic journey to manhood, such as taking my first whitetail buck, or doing battle on the high waters of Lake Superior with the majestic Chinook Salmon. However, few have successfully revived a 1998 Ford Econoline Cargo Van in the middle of the backwoods of the Baraga plains using only a saw and mother earth. The sheer determination it took to accomplish these feats is a trademark of hard hitting,ice melting, puck stopping, meat eating, freedom loving, grammar butchering Yooper Man. The Only thing left for me is to fulfill my destiny and become Mr. UP to bring balance to the Yoop.

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

– St. VIncent De Paul Society , Ishpeming MI. — Received family aid from the community in my time of need, making it a logical choice to give some of my time back.
– Guardians Of The North, Michigan Technological University, — Air Force ROTC Cadet Wing Volunteer Group, raise funds for student activities, giving back to veterans in the area.

What three words best describe you?: Thick Solid Tight

8. ROBERT KEMP 5 % 55 Votes

Name: Robert Kemp
City Ishpeming
Date of Birth: 29-04-1995
Place of Birth: Hurley Hospital

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

I may not be your typical yooper, but I am definitely yoopnique. I wasn’t born in the U.P. , but I learned everything I know today from da upper peninsula. The U.P. is where I was raised and is definitely da biggest part of me, eh?

I spent almost my entire life in the town of Ishpeming. I lived in California for my first year of college, but the U.P. called me back. You can take the Yooper outta da U.P., but you can’t take the U.P. outta da Yooper.

Growing up in da U.P., my dad taught me how to use an axe, chainsaw, pizza cutter, gun, bow, and garlic. I am Italian /German raised in the great north of the Upper Peninsula, eh? Bring on da Pasties!!!

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

I have always been one to volunteer when there is help needed, or just someone in need. When I was in high school, I spent my days volunteering with the Bell Hospital Auxiliary. I have helped raise money for the Salvation Army by bell ringing around the holidays. Nothing is better than knowing you helped a kid get food and clothes for Christmas Day.

Back when I lived in California, I helped with a program called Love Works, which was put on by a large church in Lancaster, CA. We volunteered to do people’s yard work, clean parks, pick up trash- and most important- we got to deliver food directly to the homeless. Just to see their smiling faces, and joyful eyes, made it all worth it.

What three words best describe you?: Dapper Diverse Dude

9. BRETT HANSON 5% 48 Votes

Name: Brett Hanson
City Marquette
Date of Birth: 16-10-1989
Place of Birth: Chicago, IL

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:
The U.P. and I are one.

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

Most of my volunteering is spontaneous. I realize that is hard to document, but I let my life guide me where it does in these regards.

What three words best describe you?: Spiritual Peaceful Vibrant

10. CODY JOHNSON 2 % 17 Votes

Name: Cody Johnson
City ISHPEMING
Date of Birth: 17-05-1997
Place of Birth: Rock Springs, WY

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

Most of my entire family spent their days growing up in the Upper Peninsula. While I myself was not born here, the U.P. blood flowed through me, calling me back to its beautiful and mysterious lands. Before it was too late, I had realized the error of not growing up where I knew I belonged and returned to this wonderful place. It is that longing that has brought me back to be able to live and grow up here that I feel makes me a strong candidate to be Mr. Upper Peninsula!

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

Salvation Army, UP Glow run 5k, Suicide Hill Mud Plunge, UP Health Systems. A lot of the groups I was able to volunteer for was through my school and various sports teams. Volunteering at UP Health Systems is allowing me to pursue my future career goals

What three words best describe you?: Brave Bold Beautiful

11. ERIC KUHNLE 2% 16 Votes

Name: Erik Kuhnle
City Marquette
Date of Birth: 24-09-1972
Place of Birth: Lansing, MI

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

The UP has been to me a place of open air and good living, a land of freedom and lush growth, and if there’s anyone who knows about doing what I’m free to do, and growing – which seem to go hand in hand – well that’d be me. I may represent excess in a number of categories, but that’s because I can, and that seems to me to embody the spirit of the UP. I’ve got a lot of spirit, and a lot of body!

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

PAAC, Vista Theater, I thoroughly enjoy acting and theater work, and helping keep such things alive.

What three words best describe you?: Funny Warm Enertaining

12. TIM TYLER 1% 10 Votes

Name: Tim Tyler
City Marquette
Date of Birth: 28-01-1955
Place of Birth: Detroit, MI

Why should you be Mr. U.P.? What makes you Yoopnique?:

A man who’s experienced more than most. Born a troll in urban Detroit in 1955. He clearly remembers the 1963 race riots, was related to the only other white kids in his school (which made him quite tolerant), ran away and joined the carnival in his teens. Joined the Army, went to Guam, saw almost every major rock band from the late 60’s & 70’s in their prime, fell off a cliff, worked as a corrections officer, owned a radiator shop, and finally settled on being the “Toolman Tim Allen Tyler” a jack of all trades that makes most look like hacks. Tim hitchhiked from San Diego to Marquette in the mid-70’s and adopted the Yooper lifestyle so hard that he was only able to leave the U.P. briefly in the mid ‘00’s before he was called back. A Yooper by choice, but not really by choice as it got in his blood. Tim lives in Marquette with his wife, has a son, a daughter and two wonderful grandchildren.

Do you, or have you ever, do(ne) volunteer or community service work? If so, where and why did you choose that activity/organization?:

I have volunteered for many organizations both religious and secular over the years. The last couple years my time has been with a local head start group and the Historic Vista Theater in Negaunee (which my son runs).

What three words best describe you?: Hearty Handy Light-Hearted