Male pageant is a Utah State University tradition
One of Utah State University’s traditional Homecoming Week activities is the male beauty pageant – Mr. USU.
This year’s Mr. USU pageant theme is “Celebrating America.”
Jami Voorhees, a senior exercise science major, is coordinating this year’s pageant.
“The Mr. USU contest is basically a beauty pageant for the men of USU. It’s hilarious. The contest is not based on looks, it’s based on humor,” Voorhees said.
Just like a real beauty pageant, there will be several aspects of the contest leading up to the selection of the winner.
“The guys are going to do a dance. There will be a talent competition, a swimsuit contest and a formal wear question and answer session. It’s really kind of Miss Congeniality style,” Voorhees said.
Mason Smith, a junior business marketing major, is a contestant for Mr. USU. He is being sponsored by the Student Alumni Association.
“I think that it should be pretty fun and I just hope that me and the other guys can put on a good show. I’m most looking forward to the crowd’s response to the dance we are going to do. I’m excited about the whole thing,” Smith said.
Andy Dilley, ASUSU activities vice president said, “I think it’s just a spoof on beauty pageants. It’s just a time for a bunch of guys to get up and make fools of themselves. An all around good time for everyone.”
“It’s just a fun activity for guys to do and the girls of USU love it. It’s USU tradition,” said Karmann Clememts, ASUSU organization and traditions vice president.
Duane Finley, a senior business marketing major, was a contestant in the pageant last year.
“I thought the entire thing was more of a comedic performance. I, however, did not feel as though the crowd’s favorite was picked. I think that the crowd should make the final decision. The year before last, I emceed the event and I got some pretty hilarious responses from the guys during the question/answer session,” Finley said.
“A lot of people went. It’s really popular here at USU. I thought it was well-run,” said Trevor Hansen, a sophomore landscape architecture major who attended the event last year.
There are 12 men chosen to be contestants. Every class, freshman through senior, is being represented.
“Our committee just pulled together a list of pretty well-known, funny guys. We tried to ensure that every group was represented and have as broad of a spectrum of diversity as possible,” Voorhees said.
“I recommend that people pick up their tickets in advance. There will be two lines – one for those that have tickets and one for those who do not. Those without tickets will be allowed admission only if there are extra tickets. There are usually a lot of people, so try to get tickets beforehand,” she said.
The contest will be held on Tuesday in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom. Tickets are free and can be picked up in the ticket office in the TSC.