Fiefia takes home Mr. USU title
Students showed their country sides at the western-themed Mr. USU pageant Wednesday night.
After a night of competitors yee-hawing, swing dancing, and comparing their western outfits, Doug Fiefia, a junior majoring in business administration, came out victorious.
“Everybody did a great job,” Fiefia said. “Anybody on this stage deserved Mr. USU. Everybody was equally talented.”
Contestants kicked off the pageant with a dance choreographed to “Ladies Love Country Boys.” Each college was represented by a contestant. Other representatives included Mr. Greek, Mr. Diversity and Mr. Involvement. The contestants were judged in swimsuit, talent and western-wear contests.
In the swimsuit competition, contestants showed off their farmers’ tans in speedos and boots or bathrobes and cowboy hats.
During the talent portion of the show, the contestants displayed their musical talent by singing Mariachi, playing the piano while sitting on horse saddles, and serenading the crowd with country music.
Fiefia represented USU as Mr. Diversity. He attributed his success to his family and time spent at USU.
“I love Utah State. It’s changed my life. I found my beautiful wife here. It’s taught me and prepared me to succeed in the real world,” he said.
Lindsey Lopez, Miss Cache Valley, sat on the panel of judges this year. Lopez said the Mr. USU contest was different from the contests she competed in.
“This is such a laid-back, easygoing experience. You get a bunch of guys together and they have a lot of fun and they have flair,” she said.
Lopez said Mr. USU needs to have “a lot of personality and Aggie pride” and Fiefia is qualified for the position.
“He’s talented. He goes out and serves. I love the fact that he’s married and has kids,” she said. “That shows a different side. Most people when they think of college, they think of single.”
Madison Stone, a sophomore majoring in public relations, attended the pageant and said that the event was a success.<
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“I think this year was way better than last year,” she said. “All these guys, I don’t know how they pull it off, but they always do.”
Stone said that she was pleased with the winner.
“The Fiefias are amazing,” she said.
Stone said she believes the Mr. USU contest is important to USU’s student pride.
“It gets all the colleges out and involved, and the students as well,” she said.
– crystalisfamous@gmail.com