Mr. Iran and Ms. Nepal crowned 2022 Mr. & Ms. International

Monday, November 28, 2022

Media Contact: Sydney Trainor | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9782 | sydney.trainor@okstate.edu

A celebration of world culture culminated in the new Mr. and Ms. International being crowned on Nov. 18.

The Oklahoma State University International Student Organization hosted the Mr. & Ms. International pageant in the Student Union Theater. Thirteen international students representing nine countries competed for the title designed to promote diversity at OSU.

The countries represented in the 2022 pageant consisted of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.

“The Mr. & Ms. International competition is our main event,” said Camila Armas, cultural coordinator for ISO. “The goal of the event is to present the diversity we have here on campus. That way, everyone can see that we have so many different cultures and traditions here at OSU.”

The pageant included a talent round and a Q&A round before the contestants performed the final walk. Contestants were judged based on their creativity and representation of their culture.

Habib Boloorchi (Mr. Iran) and Sonika Poudel (Ms. Nepal) won the titles of Mr. & Ms. International along with a $500 scholarship. 

Boloorchi is a Ph.D. student pursuing a degree in the Department of Computer Science. For the talent portion of the event, Boloorchi put on a theatrical performance of historical dances from Iran. He was asked what his most treasured memory has been at OSU during the Q&A round. 

“The first year I came to OSU, I was alone,” Boloorchi said. “For the first homecoming, a family told me to come and join them for a tailgate. That night, I learned what football is because we don’t have it in my country, and I felt that OSU was the warmest family that I had.”

Poudel is a master’s student pursuing a degree in the Department of Environmental Sciences. For the talent portion of the event, Poudel completed a performance in dance, drama and speech to bring attention to a widespread practice in Nepal. She was asked who she admires the most during the Q&A round. 

“My mother is my biggest inspiration, I admire her a lot,” Poudel said. “She has always taught me not to give up, even if you have to fight the same battle multiple times.”

Aditya Nayar (Mr. India) and Mohadeseh Naderi (Ms. Iran) were the runners-up for the competition and each received a $250 scholarship.

The winners and runners-up will receive the scholarship awards after a year of serving ISO through required responsibilities such as hosting events for the organization.

Contestants participating in the event must be international students studying at OSU. Many of the contestants are sent as representatives from national student associations, however, students who are not in an association can also enroll in the competition.

“The event is a perfect example of how diverse and colorful the international community at OSU is,” said Hemal Karmakar, ISO intern and co-host of the event. “OSU is like a home with lots of warmth and love. It is a perfect balance between academics and extracurricular activities, especially when our international community provides us with adequate opportunities for growth.”

Story By: Hadley DeJarnette | hadley.dejarnette@okstate.edu