CARTHAGE — Friday night was Brandon Pierce's first time.
Twenty minutes later, he wasn't sure he'd ever do it again.
"People kept telling me you look like this girl I know," said Pierce, 19, describing the reactions he got from Panola College school mates after putting on makeup and women's clothing.
Pierce was one of 11 men who braved women's swimsuits and evening gowns for the first MissFits Pageant. Put on by the college's Circle K International, which provides college-level membership for the Kiwanis Club, the pageant aimed to raise money for several charities. Proceeds will be given to Children's Miracle Network, Shoes for Orphaned Souls, children's literacy and scholarships.
Pierce, who educated the crowd on a papillon puppy and a ferret, and wrestled an inflatable alligator for talent, was not selected as a top contestant. But he said he was only worried about one outcome of the contest.
"I have met someone who has benefitted from the Children's Miracle Network, so I can appreciate where the funds go," he said.
Ticket sales and ads sold for the pageant program netted around $1,700 for the charities, Marc Wilson said late Friday.
Wilson, who performed in a similar pageant at Carthage High School last year, had hoped to win this year's title. He and his costuming assistant, Lynn Puryear, began shopping for an evening gown last week at a Longview Goodwill. But Puryear, who transformed flip flops into evening shoes with sequins and a hot glue gun, could not allow Wilson to wear something too snug.
Instead, he went back to his silver evening gown he wore in the last contest.
He choose new hair, but moments before the pageant's opening number, he was disappointed with his blond frizzy wig.
"My hair looks absolutely terrible," he lamented to Puryear frantically searched for a brush.
Other contestants also experienced pre-performance tragedies. Several young men wearing black hot pants pranced by Wilson raising their voices about press-on nails popping off.
But the man who took the title of Miss MissFit, Matt Oates, 21, spent his time before the pageant swinging his hip and telling everyone around him how tonight was all about Fefe Le Boudoir (his contestant name) and Triste Gorta Ortega O'Conner, played by David Green.
First runner-up was "Triste Gorta Ortega O'Conner," David Green. Second runner-up was "Kiki," Marc Wilson. Miss Congeniality was awarded to "Gigi Delanie," Jeffrey Mathis. People's Choice Award went to "Kiki," Marc Wilson.
Brenda Allums, a CKI sponsor, said plans are in the works for next year's pageant.
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