There are few places one can go to experience a Shakespearian monologue, a Backstreet Boy cover and a Justin Bieber sing along all in one sitting, but at this years Mr. University Pageant attendees got all this and more.
Winged members of Pi Beta Phi covered the halls of Hughes-Trigg Thursday evening to host their annual Mr. University Pageant to benefit First Book, a non-profit organization that provides access to books for children in need.
When the red carpet rolled out at 6 p.m., guest filed into the Hughes-Trigg Theater to experience the pageantry and talent of some of SMU’s finest.
SMU senior Genni Choate said it takes a special man to compete in the pageant her sorority puts on every year.
“Each participating sorority and fraternity nominates a guy they think deserves the title, and then they have to try out in front of a committee before actually becoming a contestant,” she said.
The Masters of Ceremonies for the evening, seniors Kenna Foltz and Lizzie Chesnut, guided the audience through the show.
Their quick wit and impromptu sing along contests served as time fillers between the acts.
Staying true to the style of tradition pageantry, the show included the introduction of the contestants, a talent portion and an on stage question for each male contestant.
Junior Phi Delta Theta Spencer Nomnoum came with a group of friends to support his fraternity brother, Cody Noyola, in his quest for the crown.
“He told us he was really nervous and was just going to wing it,” Nomnoum said.
After completing each portion of the show, the pageant-men joined each other on the stage one last time.
The music was cued and they burst into dance to “I’m Sexy and I Know It” by LMFAO, which seemed to be a real crowd pleaser.
“The excessive shimmying and facial expressions were the best parts,” SMU senior Kelly Hartigan said.
When the shimmying came to an end, the judges tallied their scores and put in their vote for Mr. University 2011. Delta Gamma’s Ramon Trespalacios Fernandez graciously accepted the Mr. Congeniality award, and first runner up went to Mr. Kappa Kappa Gamma’s contestant Andrew Pinkowitz.
The drum roll sounded and the winner from last year’s pageant, Gerald Fawcett, crowned the new Mr. University, Phi Delt’s constant, Cody Noyola.
“It was a hard fought battle, and I respect every contestant,” Noyola said. “But hey, I’m sexy and I know it.”
