FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: UVSA NorCal Crowns Miss Vietnam of Northern California-Intercollegiate 2010
Andrew-Brian Vũ Nguyễn
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Andrew-Brian Nguyen
January 22, 2010 408-206-8765
uvsa NORCAL crowns miss vietnam of northern california―intercollegiate 2010
SAN JOSE, CA – Every seat at San Jose State University’s Morris Dailey Auditorium was filled on Saturday evening, January 16, as the venue was taken over by anxious parents and eager supporters of the sixteen contestants vying for the crown to become 2010’s Hoa Khôi Liên Trường miền Bắc California, otherwise known as Miss Vietnam of Northern California―Intercollegiate (MVNCI). The event was presented by the United Vietnamese Student Associations of Northern California (UVSA NorCal) and hosted by the Vietnamese Student Association at SJSU.
Along with the focus on the modern Vietnamese American woman was the emphasis on charity. Benefiting from the event was the Vietnamese Youth Development Center (VYDC), which will receive a portion of the night’s proceeds as the primary nonprofit beneficiary of the project. The center is based in San Francisco and primarily assists Southeast Asian youth through a number of different programs. Donations were also collected for Haiti earthquake relief efforts through suggested donations for full-sized color programs to raise funds.
“We really aimed to make this a scholarship pageant with a strong focus on charity,” said Jessica Do, Executive Director of the event and Treasurer of UVSA NorCal. “The contestants who qualified for the pageant received this honor strongly in part because of their demonstration of community service and academic success.”
Opening the program was an energetic dance number showcasing each contestant in a white aó dài (Vietnamese traditional dress), a symbol of the female Vietnamese student, followed by individual introductions. The ladies then took the stage in their own aó dài and evening gowns before the Top 10 and Top 5 question rounds. The night ended with the awards ceremony, in which former queens Nguyễn Tường Vân and Denise Cao, of 2005 and 2003 respectively, were present to crown the new court.
Prior to the pageant, judges had an opportunity to interview each contestant examining academic achievements, community involvement and personal character. Also taken into account for the competition was an aó dài and evening gown presentation as well as live question portions during the event.
The complete Miss Vietnam of Northern California―Intercollegiate 2010 Court follows:
· Trịnh Bích Diana, Miss Congeniality
· Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiền, Miss Photogenic
· Chu Nguyễn Liza, Miss Aó Dài
· Nguyễn Lệ Amanda, 2nd Princess (2nd Runner Up)
· Nguyễn Ánh Kim, 1st Princess (1st Runner Up)
· Vũ Caroline, Miss Vietnam of Northern California―Intercollegiate 2010
“What sets
this pageant apart are the student and youth organizers who aren’t looking to
make a profit, but really believe in empowering the contestants to bring out
their best,”
Caroline Vu frankly stated. “I woke up the next morning still stunned that I
won feeling that others provided better answers. Regardless, I am ready to
serve as the voice of Vietnamese youth in Northern
California and get back to the community service that I value so
much.”
Ms. Vu is an alumnus of Mt. Pleasant High School in San Jose, CA, class of 2006. She is currently completing her prerequisites at San Jose City College and aims to attend the University of Pacific to complete her studies to become a dental hygienist.
The Miss Vietnam of Northern California—Intercollegiate℠ (MVNCI) Pageant (Hoa Khôi Liên
Trường miền Bắc California℠) is a community showcase of accomplished and polished female students vying to be the voice of the Vietnamese youth of Northern California. This scholarship pageant aims to celebrate the modern woman in a positive way and to encourage their personal growth. Through question portions and display of the traditional áo dài, the pageant is also an opportunity for these students from Northern Californian academic institutions to demonstrate their pride and understanding of Vietnamese culture. Intelligence, eloquence, composure, and strength; these are the qualities that MVNCI shall possess. As the voice of the Vietnamese youth, she will serve the community through specific community service events and will also make appearances as MVNCI as a testament of the potential of all Vietnamese youth. To be selected would be an affirmation of her achievement and ability as a young Vietnamese American woman.
The United Vietnamese Student Associations is a not for profit, non-partisan, community-based organized founded in 2002 as a means for youth to organize socially and civically in Northern California. Its five affiliated Vietnamese Student Associations are based at De Anza College, San Jose State University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and the University of the Pacific. Please visit www.norcaluvsa.org for more information.
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Andrew-Brian Vũ Nguyễn
External Vice President
United Vietnamese Student Associations (UVSA) of Northern California
http://www.norcaluvsa.org
(408) 206-8765