Vanilla on Top! MSU-IIT’s First Drag Queen Superstar From CASS Arachnids

Vanilla on top! The College of Social Sciences (CASS) celebrates the well-deserved win of Vanilla Maxwell, the first Drag Superstar of the proud institution of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) upon its attempt to influence the future by embracing the identity and the colorful expressions of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Vanilla Maxwell shook the stage of Drag Superstar with the fervor of a Dendro Arachnid caliber that held power over the audience's attention. There was never a dull moment when the Arachnid representative, constantly donning the emerald glaze icon, met the demands of the Drag Superstar stage. Vanilla is a package without the title but a full-fledged icon. With the body of a dancer, the wit of CASS, the heart in its right cause, and the confidence of a queen, Vanilla paved her way to the top.

Vanilla bagged two awards, the Fashion Queen Award and the Photogenic Award, prior to the announcement of the Top four. However, taking the top one spot in the top 4 encompasses the categories the awards bestowed on her by a mile. Vanilla enjoyed the luxury of the first spot to challenge another Drag queen from the top 4, which was Aztra Barb from the Anemo Phoenix.

The lipsync battle favored our very own Vanilla Maxwell, who tore the stage owning the song. The dance moves were on point and the Arachnid’s presence owned the stage garnering the attention of both the audience and the fellow competitor.

Vanilla went against the Geo Griffins’ Drag Queen, Crystal Heart in the finals. Faced with great pressure and desire to win, Vanilla Maxwell delivered a pasabog performance of a lifetime that secured the win against the close second.

Defending the top spot for Drag Superstar, became an arduous journey for Vanilla but a persistent and proud moment for the Drag Queen supporters.

About the Author

Hannah Rose Bravo

Hannah contributes to the college publication CASSayuran, which is from CASS, for CASS, and by CASS. She is a fourth-year sociology major at MSU-IIT. She is passionate in writing and literature, and while she was in junior high school, she majored in creative writing. Despite her quiet personality, she is always curious to learn about and share the tales of unique individuals, so she was thrilled when she was given the opportunity to be a part of CASS. Her social skills are not her best edge but her literary interest and abilities are what she always strives to enhance.