REXBURG—BYU-Idaho is looking for Mr. BYUI once again, and this semester the search has a new twist: student stereotypes. The contestants of the contest will represent different student stereotypes.
Jared Austin, an event coordinator for the Campus Life Department, says the stereotypes are meant to provide a fun time for the audience.
“The idea is to find someone who represents a good stereotype for BYU-Idaho. Like, we’ve got the gym bro, we’ve got the library guy, we’ve got the academic weapon, the overly involved,” Austin said.
Each contestant will introduce themselves, and answer questions in a Q-and-A session.
“We’re going to ask them, ‘You see a girl in the Crossroads. How do you approach her in character?’ And maybe the cowboy might say, ‘Ya’ll, I get up on my horse and I ride in … I tip my hat and saddle on … Howdy.' Like something, something like that,” Austin said.
The contestants will also show off different talents for the audience.
There will be people’s choice awards with several different categories for the contestants before a panel of judges eventually crowns one of them as Mr. BYUI.
Prizes for the top winners include Meta AI glasses, Beats headphones and a wireless projector, along with the crown, sash and title of Mr. BYUI until the university holds the event next.
Austin says this year’s competition will look a bit different from last year’s event.
“So last year’s was much more of a beauty pageant kind of thing. The guys would walk out, do like a red carpet, little spin and twist kind of thing, and that was a really good idea. The idea for this time is to make it much more of a comedy kind of thing,” Austin said.
Austin says being involved with events on campus has changed his perspective of what the college experience should be.
“There’s a time and place for all things. There’s a time and a place for homework there’s a time and a place to set that aside and leave it behind for a little bit to come and, you know, not take yourself so seriously with feeling like the only purpose in school is to get a degree. Because it’s not. It’s about networking. It’s about connecting with people,” Austin said.
The competition is this Friday at 7 p.m.
Tickets cost $3 and are available at the ticket office in person or on the BYU-Idaho ticket website.