Well first off the bat I'd like to thank everyone who voted for Best of Penn this year. The decision to make the annual completion voted on by the public was something of an experiment. At the end of the day, though, the voting numbers (1,000+ ballots) confirmed that it was the right decision at the right time. I hope you feel closer to 34th Street than ever. One.
Because there are just so many friggin' choices around campus, we decided to include a write-in option for each category, in addition to the selected nominees. Some used the space to point out what they considered glaring omissions from the nominees. Thanks.
Others used the space more ... freely.
"Your mom" was, predictably, a popular write-in. It scored several votes in such categories as "Best Quad Security Guard" and "Best Worst Place to Get a Cab." In "Best Easy Class," "Your Mom 101" lost to Jamal by only a few hundred votes.
Ted Danson scored two votes for "Best Nickname for the Penn Mascot," one of which added "C'mon, it looks exactly like him." I think I'm sold.
The dining categories invoked the most ire in their write-in selections. One notably populist voter, for "Best 'Fine' Dining," wrote "Fuck off if you eat at these." Goo!
And lest we forget that Penn students are known to watch their diets, "Best Cheap Buffet" scored a vote for "Sorry but I'm just not that into diarrhea." Well, perhaps you should try it.
Finally, to verify that her popularity remains unchecked, Penn security czar Maureen Rush earned a write-in vote for each category. Congrats, Rushnasty: you're my favorite drink special too.
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This week also marks the finale of Street's inaugural modeling competition, Penn's Next Top Model. Whether you loved it or hated it, I'm just glad you read it. If you did. Yes.
The competition wasn't without its challenges. The models braved freezing temperatures the first time they walked the runway (in this case, the DP roof) and had to dodge kids on shrooms at the Biopond during round two's shoot.
Photographer Phil Leff's instructions were frequently difficult to follow, according to one of the Ego editors. Once, Leff wanted to catch a certain model off-guard for a candid shot, of sorts. He threw a piece of paper at the model, but she remained unfazed. Leff ruined the surprise, apparently, by telling the model "I'm going to throw a piece of paper at you" before the action.
Nevertheless, the photos came out nice. Special thanks to Leff, the Ego editors and others for making Cycle 1 a high standard for years to come. And congrats, of course, to Noelle.
Don't ever forget: Best Best of Penn: Street's Best of Penn.
Holler.
- Jim
