Students can now apply to be contestants in NSU’s annual male beauty pageant, Flight Deck Follies, a Homecoming event sponsored by the Office of Student Activities, which will be held Nov. 11 in the Don Taft University Center pit, from 8 to 10 p.m.
Male students will dress in drag to complete for prize money that will go to the student organization of their choice. The first place winner will receive $300 and the second and first place winners will receive $200 and $100, respectively.
Christopher Reyes, junior marketing major and chair of Flight Deck Follies, said, “It’s about humor. A lot of the students come up with drag queen names. People always enjoy it. They laugh and have a good time. It’s something that really draws the attention of a lot of the students on campus.”
The event will be hosted by the winner of last year’s competition, Patrick May, junior sociology major.
“The guys dress like girls and whoever impersonates a woman the best is the winner,” he said.
Tara Centeno, graduate assistant for student programming in the Office of Student Activities, said they hope at least five students will participate as contestants, ideally seven or eight. As with past years, around 100 students are expected to attend to watch the show and support the contestants.
No matter the turnout, May is grateful that the university is supportive of Flight Deck Follies.
“I think it’s really a plus for NSU to have something like this where everyone can get together and be very accepting and have fun through art and expression,” he said. “The university is so accepting and awesome. We’re very fortunate to have a school that is very integrated with LGBT culture.”
Past Flight Deck Follies have been held at the Flight Deck, hence the name, but the event was moved this year due to the Flight Deck’s ongoing renovations. Centeno actually sees the move as a positive one, because, she said, the UC pit will offer participants more space to comfortably enjoy a meal while they watch.
The competition will be composed of three rounds: casual, talent and formal.
In the first round, contestants will model an everyday outfit of their choice. The second round will feature contestants showing off their talents. From the expected to the unusual, Centeno said they can show off any talent.
“They can juggle, sing, do backflips, drink a gallon of water in 30 seconds — really anything,” she said.
In the final round, contestants will strut their stuff in formal wear, before being asked a though-provoking question — similar to most beauty pageants, like Miss America and Miss USA.
The event’s planners are still finalizing the judging panel, though they hope for four staff members.
Based on his experience last year, May said that judges will likely award a contestant who’s clearly confident and fun-loving.
“They’re looking for someone who’s gonna have fun, be creative and show the audience a good time,” he said.
As part of his hosting duties this year, May plans to perform a lip-sync number and a comedy skit.
“I’m really concentrating on comedy right now, so I’d really, really love to get a laugh from the audience by showing them my comedic skills,” he said.
The registration deadline for contestants is Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. Contestants can register by filling out an application at the Student Activities Office in the UC or by emailing Reyes at cr1278@nova.edu.
