High School ‘Hotness Tournament’ Sparks Controversy In Washington

The High School “hotness tournament” at Issaquah High School in Washington is kind of like the NCAA’s March Madness tournament. Except that it happens in May, involves teenage girls, and has absolutely nothing to do with talent.

Every May, the boy’s at Issaquah High School host a “hotness tournament” called May Madness. The boys encourage their female classmates to dress up for school so that they can vote on who is the hottest member of the student body.

KGW reports that the school doesn’t condone the tournament, but school officials have said that there is little that they can do to stop it. The tournament is held off school grounds (it’s an online voting system), and, if the girls keep their clothes within the dress code, there is little that they can do.

Still, May Madness has caused some controversy at the school.

Student Tristan Robinson said: “Almost every teenage girl has self-esteem issues… And doing something like that is absolutely ridiculous.”

The contest has been going on for at least five years. Parents complained to police last year and the website was shut down. Well, temporarily. The organizers of the high school hotness tournament have started a new website for this year, and they’ve added a few security features to limit accessibility.

Sarah Niegowski, the district’s spokesperson, doesn’t condone the competition, but she did compliment the boys on putting together a well-organized contest.

Niegowski said: “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.”

What do you think of the High School hotness tournament?