Forty women and 11 men will compete tonight in UF’s Homecoming Pageant.
The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $12 at the door.
Judges include Carol Muschamp, UF spokesman Steve Orlando and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Norb Dunkel. This year, the contestants will compete in a new Gator-gameday casual-wear round.
For contestant Allison Banko, a 21-year-old UF journalism senior, this is the first time since high school graduation that she will be walking on a stage.
“I decided to apply because it’s something that is completely out of my comfort zone,” she said. “It’s senior year, and I realized this is the last time I’ll be able to do something like this.”
Contestant Billy Vranish, 21-year-old UF political science and economics senior, said his love for being a Florida Gator and his increased involvement in Homecoming events motivated him to enter the pageant.
“The competition is stiff this year,” Vranish said.
He said he is excited to have his family come out and support him tonight, along with his friends and Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers.
The top three men and top three women will be announced at the pageant. The Homecoming Queen and King will be named at Gator Growl on Nov. 9.
