A new royal News 2023 Mr. OSU crowned Thursday night

at OSU has been and why, and what current law he would change and why.

Stephanie Landaverde Staff Reporter

Feels good to get the W.

That’s what Cameron Payne, a sophomore in management information systems, said after being crowned the second annual Mr. Oklahoma State University on Thursday night.

Payne ran in last year’s Mr. OSU pageant and placed first runner up.

“It bugged the heck out of me that I took second last year,” Payne said. “So, I wanted to get first.”

The Student Union Activities Board hosted the event and this year there were four contestants, a decrease from the 11 last year.

Contestants competed in three categories: talent, extemporaneous questions and evening wear.

The event started with the contestants performing a dance number. They each had a solo dance part they performed in order of contestant number: Payne first; Chance Green, a senior in agricultural education, second; Cade Claggett, a freshman in multimedia journalism, third; and Temitobe Olopade, a senior in mechanical and aerospace engineering last.

After the opening number, contestants were presented with two extemporaneous questions.

Judges asked Payne what his most impactful experience

Payne said his most impactful experience was his first field training with Army ROTC during his freshman year because he gained perspective on what it is like for those who serve. For his second question, Payne said he believes any soldier with a Purple Heart should be exempt from paying the federal income tax.

“In theory, you pay federal income tax because you pay a fee to be a member of this country, and freedom doesn’t come for free,” Payne said. “But, a Purple Heart means you gave the ultimate sacrifice to your country. So, as a matter of principle, why should you have to pay income tax?”

For their talents, three of the contestants sang. Payne sang “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé. Green sang “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan while playing the guitar as well as the harmonica when he was not singing. Claggett sang “Peaches” by Jack Black. Contestant No. 4, Olopade, was the only one to not sing. He performed a magic trick using cards.

Following the talent presentations, there was a 10-minute intermission where audience members could vote for their favorite contestant.

Those who voted were entered in a raffle for a chance to win Beats headphones.

When the pageant resumed, contestants walked in their evening wear while Tatum Shelton, Miss OSU and the master of ceremonies, read each contestant’s answer to the question: “Why do you deserve to be Mr. OSU?”

After the evening wear portion, Shelton announced the winner of the Beats headphones: Trisa Ostermeier. The awards for contestants were given out next. Payne was crowned, Claggett was awarded first runner up and Olopade won crowd favorite.