The UCO Mr. and Mrs. International Winners

Darshan Rajendra and Rasani Shahi won Mr. and Mrs. International for the University of Central Oklahoma’s 2025 to 2026 school year through their personal platforms and performances at the pageant, held in the Nigh University Center. 

The pageant consists of an interview, a series of outfits to be judged, a performance or talent show, and an on-stage Q&A. The outfits that are judged include formal interview wear, ethnic wear, performance wear (depending on your talent), and an evening gown.

To enter the competition, each contestant must have an F-1 Visa, which is a non-immigrant visa for full-time students. Only one man and one woman from each country are allowed to enter. The winners of the competition receive a scholarship of $1,600.

Each contestant must have a platform, or a cause, that they stand for. Rajendra has a passion for international connections. Coming from India, he recognized that there are over 100 languages represented there, meaning many people there did not have a community.

Through Mr. International, he wants people from a variety of all ethnicities at UCO to feel at home.

“When I came here, I met people from the BCM, [and] the International House of Henderson,” Rajendra said, “I met new people.”

It was Henderson Hills Baptist Church and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry that made him feel welcome here, and he desires for other international students to enjoy that same community.

“My platform was turning compassion into action,” Shahi said, “because I’m more passionate about the health sector and because I’m a nursing major, so I’m planning to go around the world helping people after I graduate.” She sees compassion as something requiring action so that others all around the world can benefit from it. 

“We also plan to do a lot of volunteering this year,” Shahi said, even though it is not required with Mr. and Mrs. International. After winning the competition, the two will attend all of UCO’s international events, serving as symbols of inspiration for international students.