After more than a decade hiatus, the title of Mr. Southeastern has been brought back on campus.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Brian Williams, a senior communication major, was crowned Mr. Southeastern Louisiana University 2019.

After the last competition being held in the year 2007, the pageant system has been reintroduced by Miss Southeastern Louisiana University 2019 Chelsey Blank.

Blank organized the competition with support from Campus Activities Board. The pageant was organized with the objective of raising money for her platform charity; Down Syndrome Awareness of Greater New Orleans. The pageant had 11 contestants that participated in the competition.

Johnathan Zeringue, a junior nursing major, was titled first runner-up. Austin Noel, a senior biological sciences major, won the second runner-up. Noel was also awarded the People’s Choice Award, School Spirit Award and Talent Award. Jacob Summerville, a junior history and political science double major, was titled the third runner-up in the competition. Summerville also won the Mr. Congeniality Award.

During the competition, Jaqwan Brumfield, a sophomore psychology major, was awarded the Best Smile Award. Jacob Chauvin, a freshman music major, won the Best Dressed Award and Social Impact Statement Award. Bryon Hunter, a freshman business management major, won the Photogenic Award. Williams won the Best Hair Award and Gerard Borne, a sophomore communication major, won the Fundraiser Award – raising $300 for Blank’s platform.

As a part of the competition, participants performed an opening dance, answered an on-stage question, performed their talent and presented their formal attire and social impact statement.

Williams decided to participate in the competition after helping Blank shoot her introduction video for Miss Louisiana, and played musical instruments and sang “You’re Welcome” from “Moana” for his talent.

“I signed up on the last day possible and starting that day, I started getting my music together, started practicing all the instruments,” shared Williams. “I hadn’t touched a trumpet in probably a year and a half. So, I was really worried. I was bad at first, but it all came together.”

Even though Blank had to create the format for the competition on her own, she was happy with the support she received to make the competition successful.

“There was no documentation of the one that happened in 2007,” said Blank. “So, I had to just go from scratch and make it up on my own, and from there, it just kind of fell on its own. These guys really helped put the pieces together.”

Williams can promote his platform any way he wants.

“Basically, the main thing is so that he can ride in the Homecoming Parade with me, and from there, we just let them know that they can do whatever they want with their platform,” said Blank. “They will be invited to events with Miss Southeastern. It just depends on which ones they are available to do, but the involvement is really up to them.”

Williams is excited to promote his school with the title.

“I’ll do as much as I can for the school ‘cause I am in love with Southeastern,” said Williams. “Of course, I will do what’s asked of me, but I will also go above and beyond to support the school and show love for the school and then support my platform and do what I can.”