Freshman Joshua Underwood took home the title of Mr. Hillsdale at the annual male talent show hosted by the sorority Pi Beta Phi in Plaster Auditorium on Oct. 6.
“I love this kind of stuff — it’s simultaneously so stupid and funny,” Underwood said. “Plus, this particular pageant was for charity, and who doesn’t love charity?”
While the pageant took place on a single night, the race for the crown started in the days leading up to the main event, with Penny Wars — a competition in which students put money into jars to add or subtract points from contestants. Pennies were worth negative points, while any other cash was positive.
After a week of Penny Wars, men representing various campus groups competed in the categories of formal wear, personal interviews, talent, and pick up lines at the Friday night event.
Underwood performed a song dedicated to loving women as a spoof on “I Want Candy,” originally performed by The Strangeloves. Others performed card tricks, told jokes, sang, and one contestant even played the board game Operation.
Suites Residence representative and senior Christopher Dick taught the audience how to make soup and bread. During the performance his date, senior Anna Julia Bassols, surprised him when she threw a piece of bread to junior Jack Cote in the audience.
“That was one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen,” Dick said.
Dick said he had a good time and loves all of his fellow competitors.
“Mr. Hillsdale was a great time of boys supporting boys,” Dick said. “I remember during the pickup lines the boys would gas each other up. It was less of a competition and more of an escapade of male bonding.”
Proceeds, which amassed nearly $1600, go to support the sorority’s philanthropy focused on children’s literacy, according to Vice President of Community Relations Abby Fleming.
“Read > Lead > Achieve was founded with the intention of combatting children’s illiteracy, and does this through providing books, reading materials, and grants to schools across the nation to inspire a lifelong love of reading,” Fleming said. “In supporting children’s literacy, Pi Phi aims to support a more literate and productive society.”
Pi Beta Phi president and senior Hannah Allen said the event helps both the Hillsdale College community and the city itself.
“Not only is Mr. Hillsdale an opportunity to bring together the greater campus community, it is also a successful way in which we are able to give back to children with our literacy efforts right here in Hillsdale,” Allen said. “That is one of my favorite parts of our philanthropy. A good portion of the funds we raise return back to the Hillsdale schools, in particular, the local community action preschool.”
