The Mr. Engineer Pageant is unlike any other ordinary pageant.  There are no high heels and makeup; this is the time for men to shine under the spotlight.

The event is coordinated by the Society of Women Engineers, which is a group designed to support and encourage women pursuing careers in engineering.  Among one of their tasks during the school year is the Annual Mr. Engineer Pageant.  The pageant is an opportunity for male engineer students to showcase their talents and show that they are more than just studious.  

In order to be selected for the show, students must fill out an application and SWE members accordingly select the contestants.  The applications ask the engineer students questions about career and goal aspirations, extra curricular activities and why they would like to be in the pageant. Last year, SWE only had a month and a half to prepare for the show, but this year they have been planning since the fall semester.

Similar to last year’s pageant, 11 engineer students will participate in four sections: an interview portion worth 35 points, a talent portion worth 35 points, a professional attire portion worth 20 points and the Fundamental Engineering Exam that is worth the remaining 10 points. Each individual student also comes from a different department of the college, representing a diverse group of male students.

SWE Co-Presidents Lisa Moll, a senior in material science and engineering, and Sonya Kori, a senior in computer science, have been coordinating the preparation.  

“We split up a lot of tasks ranging from advertising to the actual selection process,” Kori said.   

SWE also has to determine judges, escorts, ushers, photographers and much more for the event.

“Even though there is a lot of preparation that goes into the pageant, the work is well worth it because in the end we raise a large sum of money for such a great cause,” Kori said.

All of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Relay for Life, an organization of the American Cancer Society.  Last year, with more than 200 students in attendance, the SWE was able to raise over $600 from the event.

“Students should attend this event because they will definitely be entertained. The contestants have put in a lot of hard work,” said Trey Warren, a senior in construction and management engineering and last year’s “Mr. Engineer.”

Warren will also be participating in this year’s pageant, but this time as a judge.  Other judges for the event include Student Body President Kelly Hook and various high-ranking professors.

In last year’s pageant, the talent portion was one of the more popular sections of the show.  

“The talent portion is my favorite because the guys think of really creative talents,” Kori said.  “Last year, Trey Warren wrote his own song and played the guitar.”

Another talent from last year includes a popular dance performance by Erik Cox, a senior in material science and engineering, which he choreographed to Beyonce Knowles’ exact routine of the music video, “Single Ladies.”  

“My friends and I were trying to think of something for my talent and that’s what we came up with,” Cox said. “They said I wouldn’t do it either.” He beat the dare.  A lot of preparation goes into the talent portion of the show.  Cox practiced the routine from the music video for seven hours in his friend’s living room until he got it down step-by-step.

“The ‘Single Ladies’ dance was definitely the most memorable part of my experience,” Cox said.  “I had people wanting to shake my hand the day after.”

This year, Cox and the 2010 People’s Choice Winner, Richard Pridgen, a senior in paper science and chemical engineering, will be hosting the pageant.

Tickets for the show are available in front of Stewart Theatre at the Talley Student Center starting at 6:00 p.m. for only $3.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7:00 p.m.