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The inaugural Mr. & Miss USFSP competition will be bringing glitz and glamour to the university during USFSP week on April 9.

The Mr. and Miss pageant has been held annually in Tampa since it was revived in 2008. The pageant, officially known as The Mr. & Miss University of South Florida Scholarship pageant, has become a highly anticipated event.

In past years, students from all of the USF satellite campuses came together to compete in USF’s Mr. & Miss pageant but, this year USFSP will be hosting a pageant of its very own. Students will be showcasing their talents and sharing their commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service while they battle it out for the crown.

Although the university is proud to be a part of the USF family, USFSP has been working towards creating its own distinct identity by creating new traditions.

“I think it’s great to acknowledge that we’re still a part of a big family. That’s an awesome thing to be a part of, this big USF family, but I think while being a part of the family it’s cool to have your own name. It would be cool to have our own title here and to create a new tradition for USFSP.” Assistant Director of student life and engagement, Melanie Bullock said

The competition is broken into five phases: a private interview with the judge’s panel, lifestyle and fitness, talent, formal wear, and on stage questions. Each phase comes with its own challenges and helps the judges as well as the audience get to know each of the contestants.

Like USFSP, this pageant has something that makes it unique. Each contestant will be running on a community service platform that is close to their hearts. Both Mr. & Miss USFSP will be ambassadors of service leading the student body in their initiative. For some contestants, this alone was enough to push them to participate.

“I decided to participate in the pageant because I wanted to involve myself within an organization that affects both our campus and our community. Being in this pageant, I can raise awareness to issues such as homelessness for people and animals. I absolutely believe that this pageant will have a strong impact on both the school and students. I also believe that whoever does win will be able to bring awareness for a cause they care about and involve fellow students in helping them.” Pageant contestant, Catherine Kouretsos said

The winners of the pageant will each receive a $500 academic scholarship, Dynasty class rings, formal wear gift certificates, but above all they will have the honor of being crowned the first Mr. & Miss USFSP.