Contestants bring the laughs, second annual Mr. Collins crowned

Collinsites and more filed into the packed Edmondson Coffeehouse on Friday for the second annual Mr. Collins competition.

Unlike your typical beauty pageant, Mr. Collins lends itself only to male residents of the Collins Living-Learning Center in a contest for the title of Mr. Collins.

“A bunch of good-looking guys plus a charged-up crowd equals a good night,” emcee, IDS employee and sophomore Matt Starr said. “Everyone was really enthused.”

Starr and sophomore co-director Marianna Eble said they took more than a month to organize Mr. Collins, which showcased the talents of eight contestants this year.

Each contestant was also judged on their after-evening wear, a spin on evening gowns that highlighted what the contestants wore to bed, as well as a question-and-answer session and their overall creativity.

Judges crowned freshman Patrick Apfelbeck, or “Mr. Carter,” as this year’s Mr. Collins.

“I thought I had a decent chance, but I had by no means thought I clenched it,” Apfelbeck said. “I was definitely in it to win it, which is not something I usually do.”

Talents included everything from marimba playing to interpretive dance. Sophomore Jamie Becker, or “Mr. Grand Savannah,” entertained the crowd with a “how-to” on preparing a romantic evening.

“I put effort in about two hours before the show, and I didn’t rehearse much,” Becker said. “It’s my last year in Collins, and I wanted to see if I could win the title.”

In addition to training the contestants for the opening dance number, Starr and Eble revamped the coffeehouse to include hors d’oeuvres such as sushi, sparkling grape juice and strawberries dipped in a chocolate fountain.

Men dressed as cocktail waitresses served while a live jazz band kept the crowd entertained throughout the pageant. Judges this year included local celebrities, including Miss Gay IU, Chanel Cartier.

As far as next year goes, Apfelbeck said the contest is a chance to have fun and be original.

“I was just myself,” he said. “Don’t be something you’re not, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”