By Christy Jensen

September 21, 2007 | Students packed the Kent Concert Hall Tuesday night to see who would be Mr. USU, an annual Aggie tradition during homecoming week, and have a few laughs while watching the pageant-style gag show.

Emon Williams was crowned Mr. USU by the panel of judges, who included USU first lady Joyce Albrecht, students of the USU community, and a representative from S.E. Needham Jewelers who donated the ring for Mr.USU to wear once crowned.

The contestants were Grady Brimley, Scott Klein, Jason Sanders, Brian Watts, Brian Wilde, Emon Williams and Keith Wilson. The men competed in swimsuit, talent, on-stage interview and evening wear.

In addition to winning Mr. USU, Williams also won in swimsuit and was voted as Mr. Congeniality by the other participants in the pageant. Wilde won the talent competition for his live interpretation of the game Super Mario Bros. Watts won on-stage interview for his comical use of the response a senator gave to a question at a presidential debate.

When asked about the pageant, Williams, said, "I am overwhelmed. It's kind of crazy how I got in. A friend of mine who was going to do it and couldn't, nominated me to take his spot. All the guys who were in this are great and I have formed some great friendships with them. I know I'll still talk to these guys after this."

Wilson, who performed on-land synchronized swimming as his talent, said the Mr.USU pageant was "the funnest thing I've ever done."

Local band The Rock Bandits performed twice, keeping the audience entertained before the show and while the judges deliberated.

Jason Sanders, above, gives it his best shot, while another contestant gets a boost. / Photos by Heather Routh Bottom: Sanders competes in the swimsuit category. / Photo by Christy Jensen