MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Controversial contest pits girl against girl for ‘hotness’ at Issaquah High School

May 7, 2013, 7:41 AM | Updated: 10:16 am

Someone at Issaquah High School is running a "May Madness" contest - an online tournament where students vote on which classmate is the sexiest. (File Photo)

(File Photo)

It’s how Facebook got started as well as its predecessor Facemash, as discussed in the movie “The Social Network”.

“People came to Facemash in a stampede, right? But it wasn’t because they saw pictures of hot girls, it was because they saw pictures of hot girls they knew,” says the Mark Zuckerberg character. “I’m talking about taking the entire social experience of college and putting it online.”

But, that’s college. Now, someone at Issaquah High School is doing that for teenage girls. It’s called “May Madness,” an online tournament where students vote on which girl is the sexiest.

It’s the same idea as “The Dance” bracket done by KJR’s Mitch in the Morning. Only in that contest, they’re pitting adult female celebrities against one another. In May Madness, underage female students are encouraged to “look their finest” while the vote is going on.

Some students tell KING 5 it makes them very uncomfortable.

“This kind of thing is sexualizing us girls like we’re some sort of trophy,” said sophomore Devon Keller.

“Almost every teenage girl has self-esteem issues,” added student Tristan Robinson. “And doing something like that is absolutely ridiculous.”

Sarah Niegowski with the Issaquah School District says they have been able to shut down the website before. But so far, not this year.

“These are pretty smart folks behind this. They know their first amendment rights. They’re very quiet about who it is and the group behind it,” said Niegowski.

May Madness has been going on at Issaquah High School for at least the last five years, but it’s just the boys voting on the girls. A couple of years ago the girls set up a May Madness bracket of their own, voting on the most attractive boys at Issaquah High School.

The voting isn’t done on Facebook, but they do have a fan page there. The comments so far on this year’s contest are mainly coming from girls who hope they make this year’s bracket.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

8 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

11 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

13 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

15 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

15 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

17 hours ago

Controversial contest pits girl against girl for ‘hotness’ at Issaquah High School