A world affair
The annual Miss and Mr. International pageant and contest held Friday night displayed the cultural diversity of Utah State University and gave international students a chance for a scholarship.
Christine Christensen, activities and outreach facilitator and judge for the men’s pageant, said qualities they look for when determining the winner are their unique talents, future goals, how the audience responds and poise.
“There also always seems to be an element of charisma,” Christensen said.
She said students also have formal interviews before the contest night.
Fatima Afroze, International Student and Scholar’s president, said there has been a contest every year since 1985. She said the contest was originally just for women, with the men being in the pageant as a joke or for fun.
“This year we made it all a formal event, because the International Students and Scholar’s Council felt it was reverse sexism,” Afroze said.
Eric Tanifum, a contestant representing Cameroon studying chemistry in the doctorate program, said before winning the crown for the men, “The main reason I entered the contest is that very many people do not know about Cameroon. I thought something like this would make people ask questions like ‘Where is Cameroon?’
“It’s always fun to dance in front of people, and I enjoy being in front of a large crowd,” he said.
Tanifum danced the Mbagalum for his talent, and he said it represents how his people work very hard during the week and at the end of the week want to shake off all the fatigue and cares on the weekends.
First-place winner for the women, Meliza Benitez, represented Mexico. Benitez, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, said she entered the contest to be able to share her culture with others.
“And especially to change the idea other cultures have about my country,” she said.
Benitez danced the La Sandunga for her talent, and she said it represents the splendor of her home in Mexico.
Before the beginning of the pageant she said she was “a little nervous, but excited.”
Benitez received a $1,000 scholarship. Tanifum, the winner for Mr. International, will receive a $500 scholarship.
According to the evening’s program, nations represented in the contest included China, India, Korea, Canada, Mexico, El Salvador and the United States in the women’s division. The men represented five nations, including Cameroon, Iran, Venezuela, India and Ecuador.
Contest judges included Kay Forsyth, Christensen, David Lancy, Antonio Arce, Nicki Ellard and Frank Bacheller.
The contest was presented by the International Student’s Council.