Patrick McGraw and Kayleigh Painter were crowned Mr. and Miss UPG at the fourth annual pageant in Campana Chapel Wednesday, Jan. 30.

The competition was not a beauty pageant, instead contestants were judged on talent, evening wear, and a question and answer portion. First place prize winners received $100, 2nd place earned $75, and 3rd place got $50. Each contestant competed individually for the title.

“The idea for the event was brainstormed several years before by the then leaders of Diversity Student Coalition in an attempt to create an event that showcases the ‘diversity’ of the talent and beauty here at UPG,” said Nanah Saidu-Kamara, president of the Diversity Student Coalition.

This years contestants were senior Ashley Cingel, freshman Andew Schmitz, freshman Patrick McGraw, and sophmore Kayleigh Painter.

The pageant began with senior Chad Smith and junior Sergey Blyakhor performing a comical skit. Blyakhor pretended to be Miss Russia 1994 in order to explain how the three portions of the pageant would work.

Judges were a mix of faculty and students. Math professor Gary Hart and Diversity Student Coalition moderator Carol Calloway were the faculty judges. Senior Jehanne Watts and sophomore Jada Miller were the student judges.

“Everyone is talented and are winners,” Hart said “[W]e broke down the categories to decide the overall winner”

Schmitz and Cingel received second and a sash. The contestants had their picture taken with Saidu-Kamara.

McGraw sang “Collide” by Howie Day and was backed up by junior Sean Coyne, who played electric guitar.

“Make people laugh. More laughter and smiling are the best things,” McGraw said during the question and answer portion when asked what one thing he would change if he could.

Painter performed an original dance to “Luck Be a Lady” by Frank Sinatra.

“Education, you can’t get anywhere without it. Learning is important,” Painter said when asked what her definition of success would be.

Andrew Schmitz performed an original break dance routine and he was joined on stage for a portion by UPG student Nancy Duchesneau.

“I helped out Andy to give him a breather during his performance,” Duchesneau said.

Schmitz said he would go to the Super Bowl when asked what news event in history he would cover if he was a reporter.

Cingel sang “Ready to Love” by India Arie and was accompanied by senior Michael Stefanko, who played acoustic guitar.

“Will Smith, I like him. He’s cool, I like his movies, and he can sing. He could help me with that,” Cingel said after being asked what movie star she would like to meet.

“It’s commendable that people got up on stage to perform their talent,” Duchesneau said. “Its all about having fun and how good you are is not important.”

“The break dancing is different and a change from the typical singing,” Watts said. “The comedy portion was different and entertaining.”

The pageant was coordinated by the Diversity Student Coalition.

“The purpose of the Diversity Student Coalition is to educate and entertain people about diversity,” Saidu-Kamara said.

Saidu-Kamara said the pageant was actually supposed to happen last semester, but it was pushed back due to lack of participation. The diversity Student Coalition also holds a soul food dinner event.

“The Diversity Student Coalition is open to everyone, but some people are under the impression you have to be a minority to join,” Saidu-Kamara said

The coalition meets every other Tuesday in Fireside Lounge at 7:30 p.m.