Since the 1950s, WJ has hosted a Ms. Universe parody called the “Mr. WJ Contest” where seniors put on elaborate performances to entertain and raise money for WJ. Each year’s shows had their differences, but there was a similar formula to each.
The program started with each contestant being asked a provocative question, giving the audience a good laugh at each answer. Then followed a modeling section, often including casual wear and swimsuit sections. Next up was the long-awaited talent section. After an array of goofy skits to piano ballads, three finalists were selected. Each finalist received a “personality-testing question” to determine the final winner. In 1981, the program expanded, hosting an additional Ms. WJ contest, allowing girls to have a hand in the fun.
In 1995, Heather Hall hosted the contest for her graduating class.
“I was involved with STAGE, so I was very comfortable up there, and my boyfriend was in the competition,” Hall said. “My best friend and I decided to host together. [We] would announce the contestants, and they would strut across the stage. They could choose what they wanted to wear, and each had their own theme. I think there was also a musical act, which was my friend’s band.”
Class of 1981 Mr. WJ winner Mark Viqueira recalled what inspired him to take part in the contest.
“I think it was our class president and those working in student government that pitched the idea to a few of my friends,” Viqueira said. “This was our senior year, and we were feeling freer and more adventurous than normal, so we got excited about it. The excitement quickly caught on amongst a bunch of seniors, and we began taking it more seriously and wanting to make it a good program.”
Contestants attended rehearsals leading up to the show, practicing their tale and walks. Practice was needed to ensure that the program ran smoothly and to maximize audience enjoyment.
“It is noteworthy to add that none of us seniors had any drama or stage experience prior to this,” Viqueira said. “I suppose this made it doubly challenging for us and made us work harder to make it run smoothly and be entertaining for the audience. The rehearsals mostly helped us learn the structure and pace of how the contest would take place, so we could then work on our individual performances.”
The class of 1981 raised $1,000 from their program, which would equal about $3,500 today. Viqueira, like many other contestants, was grateful for the experience as it helped him form unforgettable connections, memories and taught him lessons he still reflects upon today.
“There was an award-winning actor in Hollywood named John Michael Higgins, AKA Mike Higgins in 1981,” Viqueira recounted. “This guy had been my classmate for years and was well known in school for his drama accomplishments even at a young age. I remember that Mike and other experienced drama students elected not to participate in the Mr. Walter Johnson contest and rather give the stage to us want-to-be performers instead. I suppose they were acknowledging their unfair advantage. After winning the contest, I reflected on this generous act of selflessness, and it has humbled me to this day.”
The program was an attempt at bringing lighthearted fun to the whole school. Seniors were essentially volunteering themselves to participate in a somewhat embarrassing task for the enjoyment of their peers. But, at some point between the late 2000s and 2010s, the contest faded away, resulting in the death of a decades-long senior tradition. The reason why isn’t so clear, but theories have floated around, most connecting back to this being a sign of the times of changes between generations.
“If I were to guess [why the program no longer exists], it would be a lack of initiative on the part of school officials as well as the student government,” Viqueira said. “Perhaps there’s a real lack of spirit that needs uplifting as well. I see this kind of program as a Win-Win for the school and for the senior class. It’s something that could be brought back as a tradition and something that would be looked forward to amongst students, as it’s very entertaining when done right.”
There may also be a connection between the raunchy topics usually celebrated throughout the program and its cancellation. Viqueira recounted the performance he put on for his talent.
“You could say that I went for the attention when it came to my talent,” Viqueira said. “I oiled my body up and dressed in only a G-string. I finished off the look with a hard hat and sunglasses and danced like a male go-go dancer to a Michael Jackson song. It was a bit edgy, but the crowd laughed and cheered and confirmed that I had pulled it off without offending too many of the parents in the crowd.”
It’s not a secret that in the past 20 years, sensitivity has increased regarding what is socially acceptable in a school setting. Viqueria’s performance probably wouldn’t slide in today’s, but at its time, it was simply a light-hearted joke supposed to give viewers a good laugh. But, The Mr. and Miss. WJ Contests’ history of giving the spotlight to racy performances has hurt its reputation and the likelihood of it making an appearance in the near future in a similar fashion today.
