Students from Area College’s Compete in Second Annual Mr. Worcester Pageant

The second annual Mr. Worcester pageant will be held on Friday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at The Urban Kitchen + Bar on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester (formerly Coral Seafood). The event is hosted by the Working for Worcester project and the Worcester Student Government Association (WSGA) and brings together college students and residents from the community to help raise money for the city-wide Working for Worcester project. The pageant not only raises money for projects within the Worcester community but attracts college students from area schools to the downtown area and aims to promote the spirit of Worcester pride. Last year’s event had an attendance of 600 college students from eight schools within the city and raised more than  $4,000.

Contestants from seven area colleges will be represented this year, they include: College of the Holy Cross, Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Becker College, Clark University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). The students will compete in three rounds of competition: talent, interview and formal wear; and will be judged by a panel of judges comprised of local celebrities for the title of Mr. Worcester 2015.

“The Mr. Worcester Pageant is an exciting and fun way to bring together the colleges of Worcester for a great cause. It's always great to meet the students from all the colleges, who like us want to help make Worcester a better place,” explains Colette Houssan ’15, executive director of Working for Worcester. “Throughout this city, people have hidden talents and the event gives us the opportunity to meet those people who will one day, hopefully, be part of our leadership team, all while enjoying the talents of the contestants.”

The money raised  at the event will all go towards the Working for Worcester service day on April 11, 2015,to fund 16 projects ranging from a full playground build with soccer field and basketball court renovations to building community garden spaces across the city. “This money will create spaces where children can play, learn, and grow,” she adds.

In 2014, the Working for Worcester service day saw 1,100 volunteers implement $125,000 of improvements to 25 recreation spaces throughout the community.

The fee for attendees is $15 ($10 for students with valid Worcester College ID) and includes a pre-pageant buffet, promotional tables/activities, and a raffle featuring round trip tickets from JetBlue and many other exciting prizes.