The pageant world is often seen as all glitz, glamour and looking pretty on a stage. However, the recent Big Man on Campus event caused some male competitors to rethink their views on the pageant industry.
“Now I think of beauty pageants like any other competition,” said David Mitchell, junior in undeclared science and math. “Someone puts forth an effort and competes.”
Zachary St. Clair, senior in political science and the second runner-up of Big Man on Campus, said the event was more stressful than nerve-racking.
“I wasn’t nervous at all until right before I went on stage,” St. Clair said. “Then I was sweating bullets.”
This year’s Big Man on Campus had the theme “Fight Like a Girl,” and the funds were used to promote the fight against breast cancer.
There were 15 contestants who represented a different sorority.
Zachary Blomeley, junior in accounting, was the representative for Delta Delta Delta and won first runner-up.
“My favorite part of the experience was getting to work with some of the other Camp War Eagle counselors,” Blomeley said. “It was a great chance to bond before training and build friendships.”
The contestants were part of a group dance in the beginning, as well as a beauty and talent portion.
Blomeley said he believes pageants can teach valuable skills.
“I think it’s a great way for girls to develop confidence, earn scholarships and learn to represent themselves,” Blomeley said. “But I also think they are taken much too seriously in the pageant world.”
Mitchell also said he thought the event was a great way to remind everyone pageants should be fun.
“Obviously, ours was much more lighthearted, as opposed to being so serious and heavy,” Mitchell said. “In the pageant world, people are analyzing every aspect of you.”
St. Clair said the entire experience required lots of rehearsing and coordination.
“When you have more than two guys in a room at a time, it can be hard to focus,” St. Clair said.
The contestants began learning routines and choreography in February, then practiced once per week beginning in March.
St. Clair said Big Man on Campus made him look at pageant girls in a new way.
“For me, personally, it was an eye-opening experience,” St. Clair said. “I think it was great at promoting girl power because the whole theme was Fight like a Girl, and it motivates people to realize that fight like a girl isn’t a diss.”
Blomeley, Mitchell and St. Clair said they were all happy to be part of such a successful fundraising event.
“It was really fun to raise money for such a great cause,” Blomeley said.
Mitchell said if he had a daughter he would allow her to compete in pageants as long as it was something she wanted for herself.
“I would let her do it if that’s what she wanted to do,” Mitchell said. “As long as she didn’t feel like she needed to do it, or obsess over her looks.”
St. Clair said he believes his part was easy compared to what actual pageant contestants have to go through.
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