“I grew up biracial,” Adams told the crowd. “A vote for me would improve Asian-American relations and send a message to the world that race doesn’t define beauty—I do.”

Poking fun at the glib answers to typical beauty pageant questions, several of the contestants told the judges they were competing on behalf of “Harvard peace” and “world peace.”

The judges, a panel of four administrators—including a community relations official, a senior tutor, and a House master—laughed along with the audience.

Adams Master Judith Palfrey ’67 said that she had no qualms about judging the performance.

“I know about the IMPACT group,” Palfrey said. “This is both fun but they’re also very serious about the fact that they’re raising money for children.”

The judges and audience both shook with laughter during Adams’ baton-twirling routine to the tune of “It’s Raining Men.” Adams dropped his batons midway through but shrugged and went on dancing—and the audience went on laughing even harder.

In a burst of enthusiasm, Adams’ friend Jim L. Stillwell ’04 tore off his shirt and threw it on the stage.

“I just wanted to support my man in his hour of need,” Stillwell said during the pageant’s intermission. “But based on the swimwear competition, he doesn’t need it.”

Contestant Joseph S. Linhart ’03, who left the pricetags dangling from his plus-sized dresses from Oona’s costume shop, said the pageant gave him a new “appreciation for maternity wear,” won the “Miss Congeniality” award by vote of the other contestants.

Stillwell attributed the men’s success to the fact that the male contestants worked hard to be women.

“[Girls] are so used to being girls. They don’t have to try,” Stillwell said. “But when you’re up against Will Adams, you’d better be good, because he definitely is.”

—Staff writer Lauren R. Dorgan can be reached at dorgan@fas.harvard.edu.