The reward can be great when we give ourselves the liberty to expand beyond our comfort zone.
For Arkansas Tech University student Dakota Mooney, the reward for stepping beyond his routine was the Mr. Tech 2019 title.
“It was definitely like nothing I have ever done before,” said Mooney, who won the crown during an Oct. 23 competition at Witherspoon Auditorium. “The chaos of eight guys running around backstage changing from a suit to swimwear and then getting ready for talent was an event within itself. We were laughing and having a great time, all while making absolute fools of ourselves to support the wonderful ladies of Delta Zeta and their work with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. I think Mr. Tech is such a unique experience because it gives guys on campus an opportunity to come out and not only represent our organizations, but to have a blast doing it.”
Mooney is a junior rehabilitation science major with a minor in disability studies. He is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and his Pike brothers were there to support him at the competition.
“I had a great group of people that came out and supported me in my battle for the crown,” said Mooney. “The guys in this photo are not only my friends, but my brothers. In Pike, we win by supporting one another and that is shown in this picture. It was an honor to represent our fraternity on stage and bring home the crown.”
A native of Clinton, Mooney is also active in ATU Student Government Association and he works as a tour guide in the ATU Office of Admissions. He is on pace to graduate from Arkansas Tech in May 2021.
“The best part of being a contestant was the experience and the cause we were there to support,” said Mooney. “Pageants are typically very formal and elegant, and we were the exact opposite. It was such a fun event and a memory I will cherish. The ladies of Delta Zeta did a great job with this event, and it was an honor to support them and their philanthropy. Being Mr. Tech is an absolute honor. I am excited to represent the ladies of Delta Zeta, the men of Pike and the whole student body throughout the upcoming year. Arkansas Tech has become my home in the past two years, and it makes my experience even better getting to wear the Mr. Tech crown.”
