Nicole Simuro and Pat Murphy won nights on the town with Boston University’s Student Union president and Miss College of Engineering last night, in a cold-weather version of the defunct MTV game show ‘Singled Out.’
Few more than 50 people showed up for the event on the Warren Alpert Mall, or ‘BU Beach,’ though cold weather and brisk winds had the students who did show up shivering through attempts to impress their potential hot dates. The event, sponsored by the Student Union Programming Council, had females vying for a night with Union president Ethan Clay and Miss Engineering Andrea Kowalski.
Simuro, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman, admitted she has a boyfriend, but said she enjoyed the experience anyway and is looking forward to her ‘special night’ with Clay.
‘I came out here to have fun,’ she said. ‘I didn’t think I would win, I just really wanted to support the Student Union I might just go with Ethan as a friend.’
Meanwhile, Murphy, a School of Management sophomore, said he was excited he won, but was more relieved that he still had his dignity intact after the event.
‘I just did this for fun,’ he said with a smile. ‘I was kind of nervous up there I was hoping I wouldn’t have to make a complete fool out of myself.’
Both winners received an all-expenses paid dinner at the Top of the Hub restaurant on the top floor of the Prudential Center. The evening will include a free limousine ride to and from the restaurant and $60 to spend at the restaurant.
Competitors amassed on a makeshift stage on the beach, while the person with whom they hoped to win a date sat hidden behind a curtain. The categories of competition included height, hair color, hair style, shoe size, eyes and, last but not least, ‘booty.’
Male suitors were first, as they vied for Kowalski, who said she hopes to be a Patriot cheerleader after graduation.
Boys with big feet were the first to be eliminated, but one lucky man was awarded the ‘key’ to the next round. Kowalski judged the contestants’ eyes next and limited the contestant pool to nine.
After the pool was further limited to four through an odd assortment of races and other contests, contestants were asked to draw pictures and explain them to Kowalski. From Greek formulas to bedroom window serenades, each contestant had a different tactic aimed at winning the lady’s heart.
Kowalski selected Murphy after he was best able to predict her answers to questions like ‘if I were a princess, who would I be?’ and ‘What is the most important qualities in a guy?’
Clay’s selection process was slightly less G-rated, as he eliminated women based more superficial qualities those who had curly hair or a ‘J-Lo’ booty were the first to go.
And when it came time for the dare session, Clay announced there would be a hands-free banana-eating contest.
‘I like a girl who has a healthy diet,’ he said, ‘and I want to see how well you can eat a banana.’
During the girls’ question session, participants were asked to anticipate where Clay could be found on a Friday night, and who he might look like in 40 years.
The right answer? Chancellor John Silber.
Sparks may not fly on her date, Simuro said, but it should be a fun time out regardless.
‘I’m excited to talk more to [Clay],’ Simuro said. ‘He seems like a nice guy, so I think we’ll have a good time.’
The night was organized to provide students with a fun activity during one of the busiest times of the year, according to organizers.
‘It’s like a going-away present,’ said Union Senate Student Affairs Committee member Evenna Liu, a Sargent College sophomore. ‘This is just something to give back to the students.’
