Toward the end of the semester, students are finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate because of the warmth of the spring weather -- the consequences of which include the abandonment of unshapely winter clothes. All of a sudden, students are distracted by their professors coming to class ... in shorts. Embracing the return of bare legs, the Baptist Student Union (BSU) held a sexy legs contest which began Monday and ends today. Participating in the contest are two instructors, Architecture Prof. Richard Guy Wilson and Sociology and Religious Studies lecturer Justin Holcomb, as well as two Dining Services employees, Hazel Morris from Newcomb Hall and Dean Caufield from Observatory Hill.
Ashley Bristow, part of the six-person leadership team that spearheaded the project for the BSU, initiated the contest after hearing of another group's success.
"I went to a leadership conference last year, and took some fundraising classes," Bristow said. "One of the other Baptist Student Unions there previously held this contest at their school. Since every member of the leadership team is in charge of initiating projects, I decided that this was what I wanted to do."
Bristow and fellow leadership team member Robbie Jones worked hard to contact a variety of professors and employees to garner support for their contest.
"We wanted this project to extend out into the broader community, and we were trying to get the really big names around Grounds," Bristow said. "Professor Wilson is a well-known professor in the A-School, and everyone is familiar with Hazel and Dean. However, some individuals decline participation in contests with religious affiliations as a personal rule."
Holcomb said he got involved because of his commitment to helping out all student activities.
"I'm a big fan of campus life activities and have a reputation for interacting with students," Holcomb said. "I will do almost anything to support students serving other people, especially when students figure out creative ways to have fun for good causes. One of the interesting things about this playful and whimsical contest is that it breaks some stereotypes associated with Baptists."
After consenting to join, Bristow and Jones worked on getting pictures of the participant's legs. Sponsors helped to support the BSU's contest by paying for the printed photos, which will be displayed on the Lawn until 3 p.m. today. Passersby vote on their pick for the sexiest legs by dropping a contribution into the jar labeled with the name of their choice.
"We aren't expecting to raise a large sum because there are no prizes or incentives on the part of the students for participating," Bristow said. "However, we did raise $35 on the first day, and the winner of the contest receives a gift basket from Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop that's worth $100."
The proceeds from the contest will go to support mission trips that BSU students look forward to taking over the summer.
"I'm not sure how everything will turn out, so we'll determine if we want to do it again based on well it goes," Bristow said. "If we do, then we are hoping to hype it up to professors for next year."
Holcomb said losing out on the prize is something he is working hard to avoid.
"Before the contest, I told my student to vote early and vote often," he said. "I just don't want to be completely embarrassed. My legs are far from sexy. I'm waiting to see how far down I am, and then I'll vote for myself as much as I need to because there's candy and chocolate on the line"
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