Fiefia crowned Mr. USU
Choreographed dance numbers, guys parading in swim trunks, someone stealing a kiss when the peer pressure got too strong, show tunes mixed with a few of today’s pop hits. These were some of the happenings at this year’s annual Mr. USU Pageant, a staple of Homecoming Week.
Kaho Fiefia, a senior majoring in marketing and this year’s Mr. Diversity, was selected as the 2011-12 Mr. USU. The pageant consisted of contestants who represented different colleges and organizations on campus competing in a series of events, including swimwear, talent and evening wear competitions, as well as a Q-and-A portion. The winner was selected based on his performance in each category.
“I feel like everyone was equal, all the contestants deserved to win,” said the newly crowned Mr. USU. His win marks the second year in a row that the a Mr. Diversity contestant has won the prize.
“Grease,” a well-known musical set in the ‘50s, served as the evening’s theme. This year’s event was held in the TSC Ballroom, due to the ongoing renovation of the Kent Concert Hall, which is the usual venue for the pageant. Many students were unable to attend the event, due to the smaller amount of seating available in the ballroom.
“I was disappointed,” said Spencer Starley, a junior majoring in biology. “I was excited to see the show but wasn’t able to get in.”
“It was really unfortunate, but it was the next biggest venue that was available,” said ASUSU Traditions Director Kylie Martinez.
The less than ideal conditions did not seem to dampen the excitement of the Mr. USU contestants and many of attendees of the pageant, according to Nichole Taylor, a junior majoring in speech communications.
“I loved it, the (group) dance was amazing. The whole talent portion was well organized and fun,” Taylor said.
“There was great talent up there. They performed their hearts out, and it’s all about crowd pleasing,” said Christian Thrapp, a junior majoring in international business.
Kyle Beus, a senior majoring in finance, said he also enjoyed himself. “They were out to win. The contestants were all really likable, everyone had a support crew in the crowd. People next to me even had signs they made for their friend.”
Many of the organizers and judges of the event agreed, the event met their expectations and left them satisfied with the night’s outcome.
“I loved every minute of it,” said Student Involvement and Leadership Center Executive Director Linda Zimmerman, who served as one of the pageant’s six judges. “There was incredible talent and showmanship, and the contestants really stepped it up with energy and creativity.”
In addition to the pageant’s proceedings, attendees were treated to performances from USU’s dance clubs Villociti, My Bad Crew and Full Circle.
“To future Mr. USU contestants: Pick a talent you’ll love to perform,” said Jameson Olsen, a junior majoring in accounting and second runner-up in this year’s pageant. “We had practices just about daily in the two weeks leading up to the pageant, so that was a lot of time, in addition to the time each person devotes individually to their own talent.”
Martinez said, “We put in plenty of time this summer planning this event doing things like securing the venue. Add to that at least forty hours worth of planning in the last two weeks from me and the two co-chairs, Trenidy Thomas and Sloan Bailey, for the rest of the planning.”
Other spectacles included: A performance of “Empire State of Mind” by last year’s Mr. USU Anthony Pratt as well as the impromptu yo-yo stylings of USU student Jake Frisby.
Mr. USU contestant performances included Scottish bagpipes and drums, rapping, poetry reading, kissing tutorials, and a combination of interpretive dance, singing and a video presentation dedicated to the song “Memory” from the musical “Cats.”
“My highlight was watching it all come together on the stage where I was watching from the sound booth,” Bailey said. “I was backstage, and the guys were phenomenal. They really didn’t need any direction,”
In addition to the title, Fiefia received a custom watch and ring from S. E. Needham Jewelers.
“I want to put out a positive image of being an Aggie and show the judges they picked someone worthwhile,” Fiefia said.