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When senior Noah East competed last year in the Alpha Phi sorority's Mr. Phi-Nomenal competition, he won first-runner up. He had not intended to compete again this year, but the Alpha Phi members convinced him.
"I told them I would do their competition if they came to my show in Indy. They showed up so here I am," he said.
And what happened Wednesday night in Pruis Hall was "surreal," he said.
When the judges narrowed the field of 15 contestants down to the final two contestants, East expected a repeat of last year.
"When it was me and the other dude in front, I was like man, I got second again. When they announced 'the first runner-up is ... ' I thought about mouthing my own name, but then decided not to. Then I was like, I won!"
Freshman Andrew Shade was the first runner-up and junior Jeff Lock was the second runner-up.
East, a recording artist, tours Friday through Sunday every week. He has a new CD coming out in three weeks and takes classes Monday through Thursday at both Ball State and Anderson University.
Now that he has won the Mr. Phi-Nomenal competition, East plans to purchase a vintage 1967 Fender Telecaster with triple gauge pick ups with his prize money.
"It's the most beautiful guitar in the world. It won't pay for all of it, but it's more than half."
The Alpha Phi sorority sponsors the Mr. Phi-Nomenal competition yearly and donates all proceeds to cardiac care and research. Recently, the Alpha Phis have focused on aiding the research of heart disease in women. Heart disease and cardiac care have been philanthropic interests of Alpha Phi for 50 years.
Mr. Phi-Nomenal began as the creative idea of an Alpha Phi alumna, director of philanthropy Casey Lazzara said. All 15 Mr. Phi-Nomenal candidates were judged on three criteria; penny war totals, private interviews and talent.
Karen Cunningham, a judge and an Alpha Phi alumna, enjoyed the talent portion the best.
"You never knew what was going to come out," she said.
In hopes of winning a $500 prize, contestants performed acts such as stand-up comedy, interpretive dance, poetry reciting and singing. Men of all ages, majors and Greek affiliations were invited to compete. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, several performers focused their talent on love. Matthew Cray performed an original love song, Brent Lyle recited a love poem and Andrew Shade serenaded his girlfriend.
As the talent portion of the evening came to a close, the judges counted individual scores and narrowed the field of 15 down to three. Each contestant was asked a different impromptu question.
Lock had to determine the most influential person in the media this year. He chose George Bush.
Shade was asked which invention has shaped society the most and how has it effected the United States. Without hesitation, Shade responded with the computer.
East was asked what the biggest problem facing college students was today. He responded with rising tuition.
Though East captured the title of Mr. Phi-Nomenal Wednesday night, he had no major plans to celebrate.
"I just want to go home and watch 'Lost,' I Tivo-ed it," he said with a smile.
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