Q1/ What was the 2019 Mr. Mensa contest like? Can you describe it to us?
Rob/ The Mr. Mensa contest is a sort of beauty pageant with legs, talent, question, and date auction segments. We had 7 men competing this year, with several doing stand up comedy routines, two singing (including one song as a proposal of marriage), and a sword fighting martial arts demonstration. The judges are women from leadership positions within Mensa as well as a raffle ticket winner and a seat auction winner. This is a fundraiser for the Mensa Foundation, and it raised about $10,000 this year.
Q2/ Have you tried winning other awards and contests? How did you join up with Mensa?
Rob/ I have not done this sort of thing before, but decided to this time. I joined Mensa in 1992 with an admission test at the Plaza Library. [Edited for brevity.]
Last year at the AG in Indianapolis several friends encouraged me to compete this year as we watched the competition.
Q3/ How much of it was based on previous experiences (talent) and how much of it is just the luck of show business?
Rob/ I think the talent portion of the contest is fairly key. The winner this year danced to the song “Wrecking Ball” in a Magic Mike -type routine, which the crowd and judges all loved.
Q4/ What is the purpose of the Mr. Mensa contest?
Rob/ The purpose is to raise money for the Mensa Foundation, which gives scholarships.
Q5/ Was it fun? Do you plan to participate in Kansas City next year?
Rob/ Yes, it was both nerve wracking and fun. In addition, an M friend from Las Vegas organized a flash mob during the time between when the judges tallied their scores and the winner was announced. It started with my daughter dragging me onto the dance floor as a song came on, and the rest of the group joined us, culminating with me dipping my daughter at the end of the dance.
I will absolutely compete in 2020 in Kansas City, and have every intention of stepping up my talent game for my second try.
