Photos: Ernest Ward Holds Womanless Beauty Pageant

December 15, 2010

Aaron “Amanda” McDonald was named Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School in a womanless beauty pageant Tuesday night. First runner up was Austin “Autina” Cunningham; second runner-up was Tristan “Trista” Portwood; and third runner-up was Jacob “Joselyn” Weaver. Tristan “Trista” Portwood was named Miss Congeniality, while Austin “Autina” Cunningham received the Physical Fitness Award. The Poise and Appearance Award was presented to Aaron “Amanda” McDonald, and the People’s Choice Award went to Tristan “Trista” Portwood. The womanless pageant was the school’s first ever, with proceeds benefiting the school’s cheerleaders. For a photo gallery with all of the contestants, click here. Pictured top: Contestants in a womanless beauty pageant Tuesday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. Picture inset:  Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Aaron “Amanda” McDonald. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

62 Responses to “Photos: Ernest Ward Holds Womanless Beauty Pageant”

  1. czolgolz on February 12th, 2014 9:18 pm

    Too cute. Looks like they had fun.

  2. Sam on March 18th, 2011 7:52 pm

    That’s awesome. It really is. I wish my school would do something like this.

  3. Lisa K. on December 30th, 2010 12:42 pm

    Always a great deal of fun. These boys sure out did themselves. It is always too bad that some people only accept their values and expect the rest to comply.
    The way they turned out it would be fun for them to do it again and see how much they progressed. As many of you klnow it is not always easy being a woman and yet they seemed to have captured the image.

  4. Jodie on December 28th, 2010 10:52 pm

    What a great event. All the boys should be congratulated. Last year my nephew was in the junior miss pageant for relay for life. He wore a short prom dress and heels. He won, and had a great time. He has really long hair, and looked so good that some of the people, included one of the judges, didn’t believe that he was really a boy. He’s going to enter again, and his mom is already planning his outfits. This is just a great fun thing, and a super fundraiser.

    Jodie

  5. Pat on December 28th, 2010 3:22 pm

    It seemed like a wonderful event that involved a lot of hard work and some amount of courage by the young men involved. Everyone had a good time and a good cause was served.
    It is hard to imagine some of the negative comments that came down from Big Chief and a few others.
    I saw same very nice looking young people in those photos but most importantly I saw a lot of smiles. Smiles are wonderful.

  6. Fernanda Sanher on December 28th, 2010 1:47 pm

    The people who made negative remarks are the ones who really are sick. They are incapable of understanding that only FUN and SUPPORT worthy causes.
    GREAT JOB BOYS!!!
    Fernanda

  7. Melinda on December 28th, 2010 1:13 pm

    lighten up people! this looked like harmless fun and was for a good cause!

  8. Jenna Evans on December 28th, 2010 11:59 am

    I think the boys should be congratulated on their creativity and desire to help others. If we can’t poke some fun at society from time to time and have fun doing it, I think we lose a bit of joy from our lives.

    Cheers!

    Jenna

  9. miss construed on December 28th, 2010 6:18 am

    Seems like the times have changed from years ago. Give credit due where it should be. Noone was hurt except for simple minded people or so it seems. A good cause deserves an open mind or so you would like to think.

  10. Russ Tomlinson on December 28th, 2010 1:15 am

    Further to my previous e-mail.

    You could be forgiven for believing that the femulating boys were real girls – they look that convincing. People who have made negative comments about a group of boys who are doing something positive to help the girls at their school should be ashamed of themselves. What the boys did was fun and for a good cause and harms nobody, except, apparently, some very narrow minded people.

  11. Russ Tomlinson on December 28th, 2010 12:44 am

    The “girls” look very pretty. Well done to the boys for having the guts to dress up as girls to raise funds for their cheerleaders. Surely it is better to see boys doing something positive and productive like this rather than getting in trouble? We should be encouraging boys, not slapping them down.

  12. abby connelly on December 27th, 2010 7:10 pm

    Can’t kids just have fun anymore? Look at the smiles on their faces. Any questions?

  13. Diane Leonard on December 27th, 2010 4:38 pm

    I have to say I am saddened by the negative comments put forth by some of the closed minded biggoted people posting here.
    These boys did a wonderful job, and for a wonderful cause. If you negative commentors wish, you could always write a check to the school on behalf of the cheer squad.
    After all, if you don’t like how the money was raised, you can always put your money where your dirty negative mouth is and replace the funds, or better yet, just tell the boys what a wonderful job they did and write a check and support the cheer squad yourselves…
    If I was in better shape I would. Good Job “Girls’. God Bless you all..
    Diane Lundquist diane91020@aol.com ……

  14. Leti on December 23rd, 2010 2:07 pm

    The boys look great – especially Austin, who could be a model. All you guys should be proad of yourselves. :)

  15. irene on December 22nd, 2010 11:53 am

    I agree w/ Kevin (12-15) who said “BTW – Austin should probably become a teen model.” When a co-worker showed me his picture I thought he really was a girl. I’m proud of all you guys that were in the pagent. Don’t pay any attention to the criticism. You entertained, helped the cheerleaders and learned a little about what we girls go through. It takes a REAL man to do what you guys did and it was for such a good cause. Im proud of you.

  16. nuthill on December 21st, 2010 4:44 pm

    What is this world coming to?

  17. Jackie on December 21st, 2010 11:15 am

    Great job by these young men. It takes guts to do what they did and they deserve praise.

  18. Annie D on December 18th, 2010 3:35 am

    Congratulations to the boys and parents involved for such a fun idea for a fundraiser. The boys did a great job and seemed to be having loads of fun.
    I’m glad that the parents of these kids are open minded enough to support them in their fun.
    You should be proud of yourselves and your boys.
    All of them were great, and yes a few were especially cute, lol.
    A pat on the back to all concerned in this endeavor.

  19. Robbi Dehlinger on December 17th, 2010 11:34 pm

    I think this is GREAT, I don’t care if some of these kids do end up as cd’s or transgender (You are BORN that way, it is not leraned). I grew up in fairly liberal suburb (Evanston, IL) but I am quite sure WE never would have done anything like this for a fundraiser?? Kuudos to all involved and “Amanda” is GORJUS!

  20. local resident on December 17th, 2010 6:48 pm

    I remember going to a ‘womanless wedding’ as a fundraiser in the early 60’s!
    Was great fun then and still is. Glad to know that the vast majority of the people in this community have a great sense of humor and are will to support the various school groups and help each other raise money for worthwhile projects/trips.

    JW – I’d be interested in knowing how many of the ‘million and one’ fund raisers you have worked at to help raise money for our schools!

  21. Just My 2 Cents on December 17th, 2010 5:15 am

    This was a great idea, And so is the one about teachers crossdressing to raise money.

    A psychologist would have a field day with those who are putting this down. I bet they wouldn’t wear a pink shirt either and would say negative comments about those who do. Thoses kind of guys have always made me chuckle.

    It’s commonly taken for granted that Jesus wore what we would call a dress now-a-days. I guess if they were an artist they would paint Jesus in jeans.

  22. jimmy on December 16th, 2010 8:54 pm

    does jw stand for :

    just winning…
    just wondering…..

    or is it initials, as I know several jw’s but this does not sound like them?

  23. Tawni on December 16th, 2010 8:36 pm

    This brings back memories of our annual fundraiser.
    We had a beauty pageant as well and each cheerleader was responsible for making sure her contestant was ready. We called them “Little Sisters” for the week. We helped them get ready for the evening gown and talent competitions, and we taught them all a cheer that they would perform as a group as part of the entertainment. It was great because the girl that mentored the winner received a prize and the winning beauty got to be an honorary cheerleader at the final football game.
    Thanks for sharing and for keeping the spirit going!!!
    Big Chief- Remember this was for a good cause, try not to get your panties in a bunch…

  24. Northender43 on December 16th, 2010 5:43 pm

    JW – What a great idea about the teachers … EW could probably get some to do that … Have the men and women cross dress to raise money for the children.

    When I went to school we had Powderpuff football games … the cheerleaders played football and the football players dressed as cheerleaders. They all had a blast. Things like this have been going on forever. People need to grow up and quit being so critical of what others are doing.

  25. joliecrzy on December 16th, 2010 1:22 pm

    hahahahah They were beautiful!!!!!

  26. joliecrzy on December 16th, 2010 1:12 pm

    Those are so much fun!!!never seen it done in a middle school though! Good Idea, love it!!!

  27. no longer in Bratt... on December 16th, 2010 9:32 am

    This is GREAT fun.
    I know of several schools who do this.

    Quit looking for the bad in everything…and loosen up!

    Tis the Season!

  28. NHS Grad on December 16th, 2010 7:46 am

    “Pageant Contestant”- Kudos to you and your friends! I’m sorry that a handful of ignoramuses have tried to spoil something that was innocent fun for you guys. I tell my kids all the time that in life you will encounter people who don’t know when to shut up and mind their own business, just don’t let yourself be one of them.

  29. ABC on December 16th, 2010 12:38 am

    Come on what sad and sick attitudes ………….. these kids were having a blast, over the many, many years it has been my experience that lots of men have done the same thing for entertainment purposes, and done it well. at Corporate parties, mens clubs, in the military, oh what the heck, lets face it, you fellas have a problem with your manhood or something to object to these kids having fun,.

    .

  30. AL on December 15th, 2010 11:36 pm

    We had a “Mr. Beautiful” pageant in college. It was a riot. We raised a ton of money, laughed til we near ’bout wet our pants seeing those big muscle-bound football and baseball players trying to walk in heels and experience pantyhose…..

    Way to go boys!! Great sports to support your classmates this way!!!

  31. Lauren on December 15th, 2010 11:05 pm

    Thispagent was all done in fun you can see the students were having a great time. The school is not busy teaching them to crossdress how dumb of you to think that. I for one hope that they learned that there are people in our world who do crossdress for one reason or another and it is their personal choice after all it is a free country. As for wearing suits and ties get real not many young men of today wear that type of attire. I think the schools are too busy teaching FCAT than to worry about a schoolfundraiser that was not aimed at hurting anyone. Oh and by the way not that its anyones business but I speak from experience I am a transgendered female and have lived my life this way for 20 years.

  32. jw on December 15th, 2010 8:18 pm

    As a highschool student I do not “condemn” the boys for having fun. Haven’t we all at some time or another? I simply think Ernest Ward is wrong in choosing cross-dressing as a way to fund-raise. Of course the boys are regular rough and tumble boys. I never said they weren’t. This is just a case of bad judgement on the part of school administration. I mean of all the million-and-one things we can do to raise money for our school, and the students have to cross-dress? Seriously guys? That’s wrong. That’s pathetic.

    jw – thinking why not get the teachers to cross-dress to raise money?

  33. Kevin on December 15th, 2010 7:21 pm

    Congratulations to all that participated!!! You all look great!
    Remember, for every 1 person that has a negative comment there are many more that are positive. Also the ones that are negative usually are the ones that really would want to participate themselves but are too scared.
    BTW – Austin should probably become a teen model.

  34. MOM OF STUDENT AT EWMS on December 15th, 2010 6:13 pm

    COULD IT BE THAT THE ONES THAT ARE PUTTING THESE KIDS DOWN FOR SOMETHING THEY HAD FUN DOING, ARE REALLY JEALOUS BECAUSE THEY WERE EITHER TOO ASHAMED OR SCARED TO DO IT WHEN THEY WERE THAT AGE OR JUST NOT POPULAR ENOUGH TO JOIN IN THE GROUP OR DIDN’T HAVE ANY FRIENDS AT ALL AND ARE JUST PLAIN MAD AT THEMSELVES FOR NOT DOING FUN STUFF LIKE THIS. SO NOW THEY WANT TO SAY MEAN THINGS ABOUT KIDS THAT ARE REALLY MORE LIKE THEY WISHED THEY COULD HAVE BEEN LIKE. MORE BRAVE AND OUTGOING AND NOT EMBARRASSED TO DO WHAT THESE BOYS DID. I THINK IT’S EXACTLY WHY!!!!! GROW UP PLEASE!!!!

  35. pagent contestant on December 15th, 2010 5:18 pm

    ok listen up you idiotic negative minded people. id like you to know that everyone of us is straight and i know for a fact that i am, ok? this was a fundraiser for the cheerleaders to go to nationals so we could support them like they supported us at the events such as football and basketball. these ladies deserve to go and if they needed more money id do it all over again because it was a good time with wholesome fun! to all you that bashed ME and MY FRIENDS go get a life and you better be ashamed pf yourself you stupid bums!!

  36. Michele G on December 15th, 2010 4:56 pm

    wow, some of these boys sure would make cute girls!! These “pagents” are so much fun!!

  37. Stacey Calloway on December 15th, 2010 4:32 pm

    Way to go Zack! I’m sure yall had a blast for this fundraising benefit.

  38. nudo on December 15th, 2010 3:22 pm

    Just goes to show you that some peoples necks are to red to lighten up and realise it was all in good fun. Nobody was promoting anything but a fun show and raising money for cheerleaders. Which is a huge expense. There where many people who put a lot of time and money for a good cause. Go gripe somewhere else.

  39. proud mom on December 15th, 2010 2:00 pm

    this has been going on for over 80+ decades…it looks like they had a lot of fun. some of you adults listen to way too much talk radio…………….lighten up!!!!! its good ole clean wholesome fun!!

  40. jon-jon's mom #32 on December 15th, 2010 12:56 pm

    I LOVED IT , I laughed the whole time . AND FOR THE SMARTMOUTH COMMENTS BEING MADE IT NEEDS TO STOP THE KIDS THAT WERE IN THIS DO KNOW HOW TO READ U KNOW , they are good boy’s and for grown people to make a statment likke the ones i saw makes me sick and maybe u need to grow up and get a life and dtop bashing a bunch of young men supporting the same girls that supported them during there football and basketball season should tell you alot about these young men . I support my child and also my nephew and there friends for doing this so keep ur comments 2 ur self

  41. just call me joe on December 15th, 2010 12:36 pm

    Are you sure they are all boys? There’s a couple that are really pretty. With that hair and makeup it looks like they could really pass for girls.
    I’m sure it was funny to all in attendance. I remember something like this back when I was in school.

  42. CONCERNED on December 15th, 2010 12:23 pm

    I am glad to see this on here. It’s nice to have something fun on here to read about. cant you Big Chief find something else to complain about like all these murders instead of young men having a good time and raising money for something good. Its in no way sick. I went to Flomaton 13 years ago and we had them there. It takes guts for these young men to do this. Why don’t you support them instead of putting them down. Grow up its all fun.

  43. leonard on December 15th, 2010 11:36 am

    Big Chief……YOU are the Sick one.

  44. droopy eye lids... on December 15th, 2010 11:29 am

    Wow…them gurls is purtier than the real cheerleaders!!

  45. Amanda on December 15th, 2010 11:06 am

    This pageant was a blast. They boys had fun, the parents had fun, and the cheerleaders had fun. I say kuddos to all these boys for supporting their cheerleaders. I can assure you it was in no way SICK!! My son was in this pageant, and if anything he learned a new respect for what women go through!! Why would grown people want to come here and bash this event. Get a life. GREAT job to all the boys!! I laughed the whole time.

  46. JC on December 15th, 2010 11:05 am

    My dad was in a womanless pageant in the 80’s. He won 3rd place and we were very proud. Did I mention he is a pastor and a man of God! I think the money raised went to the Century Quarterback club!! Come on “homophobes” let these kids be kids!

  47. Chasen's Mom on December 15th, 2010 10:50 am

    Well, seems to me that JW & Big Chief have a problem when it comes to kids being kids and having fun. It was a fundraiser for the cheerleaders and this type of event has been held before, even when I was in school which was over 20 years ago. People like you need to watch what you say because not only are you talking about my child but several others as well… If you do not have anything nice to say, then keep your negative remarks to yourself. Get a life or a job instead of bashing kids that you don’t even know… Oh and by the way for your information, everyone of these boys play football, basketball and baseball so keep your negative comments to yourself.

    Thank you.

  48. ewms mom on December 15th, 2010 10:05 am

    to me it sounds like the 12 that done this for the girls are more man than the one making the smart comments . it was in good fun not intended for them to have adult s with a closed mind it smart of about them doing it get over it .

  49. jw on December 15th, 2010 9:37 am

    Sorry, but this is wrong. Period. Shame on Ernest Ward for doing such a thing!

  50. Aaron's Mom on December 15th, 2010 8:33 am

    Way to Go!! This was great entertainment and a great way to raise money for the cheerleaders.

  51. MOM on December 15th, 2010 8:23 am

    These boys are “ALL BOY”. I find it insulting that “adults” feel like they need to assign different motives to boys having a good time. I hope that your negative comments are not read by these children–yes, they are children. They all knew they were helping raise money for the cheerleaders to go to Nationals. Their parents would never allow something they thought would detrimental to them. Just take it as it was intended–FUN!! I am ashamed at the poor character of these negative people who post. No matter what is reported on this site, someone has to turn it to negative or add a useless comment. Let the children enjoy their childhood and make memories with their friends.

  52. Christina Cunningham on December 15th, 2010 8:22 am

    The “pageant” was HILARIOUS! It was all in good fun and all the boys had a great time on stage. Kudos to the boys that participated, it took a lot of guts! Instead of posting negative remarks, maybe you should have went and supported the real reason for the pageant. It was a fundraiser for the cheerleaders. I really take offense to your statement that it’s “SICK”. I have a relative who is gay and I can assure you that by no means does he cross dress or put on makeup. Hmmm…just wondering what so called message you are sending to my child by making those remarks!

    GREAT JOB BOYS!!!

    Special shout out to my son….AUSTIN CUNNINGHAM!!! So proud of you to support the cheerleaders!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

  53. Willene Bryan on December 15th, 2010 7:57 am

    .Great job boys. Raising money for the cheerleaders. Had to be lots of fun.

  54. Me on December 15th, 2010 7:45 am

    My grandfather had a pagaent like this at his American Legion post many, many years ago. He was a former commander of his post, and I can assure you that he and his fellow Legion members were very secure in their manhood and were just having a good time. Sometimes we need to lighten up and just have a good time without overanalyzing everything.

  55. A Fan of EWMS on December 15th, 2010 7:20 am

    To Funny!

    What a great response! “Respect a woman in heels!”

    Loved it!

  56. Michael on December 15th, 2010 7:02 am

    I graduated in the late 70’s and we were having these then – I even remember the quarterback club having them and our dad’s were dressing up. it’s not what they are doing but the spirit in which they are doing it.

    Come on – a mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open.

  57. Funny! on December 15th, 2010 7:01 am

    Oh c’mon Big Chief! Have a little fun. It was all about fun, and it was fun. Womanless beauty pageants are nothing new; they are done all the time.

    And I bet it did send a good message to these young men. Respect a woman in heels!

  58. CandysVinceGill on December 15th, 2010 6:40 am

    is this supposed to be good wholesome fun?

  59. me on December 15th, 2010 6:05 am

    haha, too cute!!!

  60. T on December 15th, 2010 5:57 am

    too cute! Nice to have something funny to ready about. :)

  61. deBugger on December 15th, 2010 5:51 am

    Unbelievable.

    I’m not saying that these fella’s hearts weren’t in the right place, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

  62. Big Chief on December 15th, 2010 5:37 am

    I don’t think this type event sends the right message to young, immpressionable minds. These are young men and they should be dressing accordingly regardless of the cause. We should be teaching them to wear suits and ties, not teaching them to cross-dress and how to put on make-up. Sick!