On Thursday, Hamline students gathered to support the six contestants competing for the title of Mr. Hamline at the second annual Mr. Hamline Pageant. “The Mr. Hamline Pageant is really a way that organizations, athletic groups and on-campus jobs can promote their groups… It’s really a way that Hamline students can see each other and their talents and maybe find a new org for next year.” Delta Tau’s Brook Pigg, who created the pageant last year, shared about the pageant. As part of Hamline’s “Greek Week,” this year’s pageant featured six contestants all vying for masculine excellence. Chris Sova represented Inter Greek Council as Mr. IGC, Gabe Soriano represented Hamline Safety and Security as Mr. Safety and Security, Sam Verner represented Hamline Undergraduate Admission Office as Mr. Undergrad Admissions, Andrew Maas represented Hamline Fraternity, Theta Chi as Mr. Theta Chi, Joe Riordan represented the Student Athletic Advisory Committee as Mr. SAAC and William Billy Grant, who represented Young Americans for Liberty as Mr. YAL. The contestants were judged by five judges, Becky Kaarbo, Patrick Hueller, Lamar Shingles, Carey Otto and Anne Pierre.

After describing themselves and their organizations, contestants participated in two events, a talent portion and a questionnaire. For the talent portion, Mr. IGC did an awe-inspiring dance to “Honey I’m Good” which featured multiple headstands and more than a few suggestive hip sways. Mr. Safety and Security did a comedic take on one of calls that Safety and Security had to investigate which featured stolen goods in Drew, a squirrel and three Safety and Security officers armed with an Ove Glove, an iPhone- and a fishnet. Mr. Undergrad Admissions talent featured a solo composed by Toni Corelli on the violin. Mr. Theta Chi serenaded the crowd with his own karaoke version of the classic, “Don’t Stop Believing.” Showing off his cooking skills, Mr. SAAC impressed the judges with cheesecake and a video of how it was prepared as his talent. Lastly, inspiring the crowd with his speaking ability, Mr. YAL did a short speech on the meaning of liberty.

After the talent portion, contestants answered a variety of questions, such as “If you could hang out with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?,” “Describe your perfect date” and “What is your favorite candy, treat, or dessert?”

“The Narwhal, it’s the second closest thing to a unicorn, they’re graceful,” responded Mr. IGC when asked what he thought was his spirit creature.

“Five… I’m scared of heights,” stated Mr. YAL to the question of how many trees he has climbed.

Once the questions were answered, the contestants left the stage while the votes were tallied. The crowd cheered as Mr. Hamline 2015 was announced to be Sam Verner from Undergraduate Admissions.

“I thought it was a very good choice because Sam is an all around good guy and represents Hamline very well,” first year Kyra Engen said on the vote.

Verner waved to the crowds as he accepted his new crown, sash and new role as the new 2015 Mr. Hamline. So after all the pictures were taken and the votes tallied, students walked away from the event with not only a new ruler of campus, but also a new knowledge on just some of the many organizations here at Hamline.