With 26 Milligan men participating and 24 chances to bid (four of the men went as a buy one get one free special) no one needs to spend next week alone. This year’s Bachelor Auction raised $720 – a huge increase compared to last year’s $425.  

The Bachelor Auction acts as a fundraiser for the junior and senior classes, and the bachelors were students who volunteered to go on dates with the highest bidder. This year the auction was planned by the Junior Class President, Katie Huff.

Huff said that in an attempt to appeal to everyone, men from all different classes and social groups — from athletes to choir members and foreign exchange students to SGA presidents — were encouraged to participate.

“In past years I feel like it’s been just the athletes or just the big names on campus. The freshmen are always eager to participate on campus, so I wanted to make sure that them and their friends were represented,” Huff said.

The diverse personalities involved were evident in the men’s attire. A few of the men chose to put their best foot forward by dressing up, and the women appreciated seeing the men in jackets and ties. Others did well by showing their uniqueness: some wore baseball uniforms, some wore kilts, some wore cowboy boots and some even wore tear-away pants.

Zach Petroski, one of the bachelors up for bid, said he was a little nervous about getting bid on. Huff agreed the biggest fear among the bachelors was they would not get bids or go for a low price. Huff was surprised by how willing the freshmen were this year. A non-participating student, Mike Kaal, said he was afraid to “make a fool of himself,” but he might join in next year.  

On the other hand, some of the men were not terribly nervous. Dexter De Torres, a freshman, received the highest bid of $100. Dexter was not sure what to expect from the bidding but said, “I had a gut instinct I would be the highest.” He was only a little surprised about the extremity of the price.

TWIRP events have been scheduled by various classes for this week. Monday, there will be a concert in the Canyon (by the Physical Plant); Tuesday, a block party on campus is scheduled to take place; a movie and bonfire will take place on Wednesday behind Hopwood; Thursday, there will be bowling at Cardinal Lanes; and Friday SGA will be hosting a drive-in.