Morton East students can participate in a new pageant-style competition, Mustang of the Year, but many aren’t aware of this new opportunity.

Students running towards the end of the year to enjoy their summer must also remember to take the time to enjoy the tail end of their year, and for many, the end of their time in Morton East. There are special events that Morton students can participate in to celebrate the end of the school year such as a trip to six flags or yearly lock-in. These events have been upended as of late due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and many of the end-of-year activities had to be postponed or adapted to fit what had been happening around the world. One of the events that returned with a change this year is the Mr. Morty competition.

The Mr. Morty competition is a pageant-style competition that has been rebranded this 2021-2022 school year as Mustang of the Year. According to information released for Mustang of the Year, the competition consists of “showcasing a student’s school spirit, style, and wits” with the grand prize being “getting all your senior activities paid for.” Like in usual pageant competitions, Mustang of the Year will see students wearing and showing off their Morton clothing and merchandise, present a talent, answer questions, and dance in order to determine who is worthy to be called this school years Mustang of the Year. The rebranding from Mr. Morty occurred to keep up with the times and break down barriers that prevented all from participating and having fun regardless of gender. In a random survey of 102 Morton East students, 46 students reported that they were aware of the competition.

“It’s whatever for me,” expresses sophomore student Leo, “I didn’t even know about Mustang of the Year until I walked past a sign for it. I didn’t even know what it’s about to be honest.”

There are people who see the competition more favorably.

“I’m happy to see the Mr. Morton contest evolve with the times. Something so gender-centric needed to change. Besides, the concept of senior boys parading themselves like meat in front of the crowds like a high school beauty pageant probably did send the wrong message,” English teacher Kent Frankfother said.

Some, on the other hand, aren’t exactly fans of the whole idea.

“I don’t care about the contest,” senior Angel Rosales proclaims, “It just looks like the usual type of popularity contest that has students that don’t really represent the actual student body. It’s not bad, just not anything I really care for.”