Last week’s homecoming activities included the annual “Mr. Muskie” pageant, during which five male contestants competed for the title of Mr. Muskie 2012.

The Lakeland College Dance Team organized the event, which took place on Thursday Oct. 4 in Bradley. The team’s co-captains, Siera Ramirez and Kourtney Rie­der, introduced the judges, who included Lakeland’s new presi­dent Dr. Michael Grandillo, the President’s wife Nancy Grandillo, Director of Student Activities Kaye Martin, Professor of Biol­ogy Kathy Marr, and Associate Professor of Biochemistry Jef­fery Schwehm.

Mr. Muskie 2011 Braden Woods sat on his throne, wearing a golden crown.

The co-captains then intro­duced comedian Jessi Campbell, who was the MC for the night, sponsored by LC-CAB. She set a casual mood for the night with the first of many jokes.

Campbell introduced the five contestants. Chris Callan—fresh­man computer science and busi­ness major, Daniel Zea—sopho­more communication and Spanish major, and Dale Sievert—junior religion and sociology major en­tered in semi-formal wear.

The audience giggled when they realized that, junior Matt Troyer—majoring in music education and trumpet perfor­mance—and sophomore Jake Si­monson—majoring in business management—had arrived wear­ing exactly the same combination of white dress shirts and blue and gray argyle sweater vests. During the “Question and Answer” por­tion, Campbell teased Troyer and Simonson for showing up in near­ly the same outfit.

Campbell then pointed out Woods’ glasses, assuming that they were just a fashion statement  and said, “I’m not just some hipster trying to be cool with fake glasses.” The audience laughed as Woods tried to assert that his glasses were real, too.

For the talent portion, Cal­lan skateboarded. Zea attempted to eat a package of Oreos. Simon­son’s routine included beatboxing. Troyer prepared a dance known as the “wobble,” which he performed with both energy and precision. Sievert also performed some free-spirited dance moves.

Campbell started “Dude Looks Like a Lady” by introducing Callan, who wore a black dress. Zea showed off a Beyonce-like look in a short black dress and wig. Simonson’s Disney princess look included braids and a cape. Sievert enlivened his strut in a little black dress by throwing off his flowered hat to Woods.

 

Pictured: Daniel Zea, Chris Callan, Matt Troyer, Dale Sievert, and Jake Simonson.  Photo by Michelle Fromm

But Troyer pushed the bound­aries when he arrived onstage in a long bleach-blonde wig and short lacy dress with fishnet stockings and high heels. He wowed the judges with some hair-flipping.

When the judges had tallied their votes, Campbell announced that they had chosen Zea as the runner-up, and that Troyer would be crowned the next Mr. Muskie. Woods presented him with a sash, crown, and trophy.

After the performance, Troyer said that “this was just outstand­ing. It’s a great group of guys. They made it really fun.”

The now ex-Mr. Muskie Woods explained that he was sad to have to give up the title and the crown, but also “happy to be able to hand over the crown to somebody deserving.”