It has been a joy and honor seeing you grow since day one we met at orientation. You have grown so much as an individual; your walk has become more elegant, the way you present yourself has been perfected, and importantly you have become the new reigning queen.
When people look at you may you inspire them. May every person you meet want to reach for their goals and try new things. I hope that whenever someone will think of you, the first two words that will come to their mind are: humility and kindness. I know the role as Miss Asia Sacramento will allow you to expand your territory and I wish for you to do all the good you can for our community.
You will have an amazing year with the Miss Asia Sacramento family, that’s for sure! Everywhere you go, people will look up to you, because you are the new ambassador for our community. Let this year be a year to grow, learn, and teach.
I wish you the absolute best and know are so deserving of that crown and sash. I will always be here for you if you have any questions or concerns, we are forever sisters now!
I remember reading the past queens, Tiffany Tsui and Veronica Satori’s blogs about tips and hints before I thought about competing in the pageant and they all sure helped. I hope that my tips and hints will help just as much as Tiffany and Veronica’s did.
TIPS and HINTS!
1) Be yourself. The most important factor of this pageant is to just be yourself. Even though there are 12 or 13 girls you are competing with, being yourself will allow you to build true friendships and shine on stage.
2) Think positively. Do not second guess yourself because when you begin to do that you will lose sight of what is most important. Having a positive outlook about pageant night and what the results may be will allow you to actually do your best. Throughout the process up until pageant night I eliminated negative energy away from me and was in the mind set of only positivity. The night before the pageant I wrote a letter to myself as a reflection of my journey with the contestants and the prepping process; in the letter I included how I would feel if I was not crowned and also how I would feel if I was crowned. Having a positive mind set will let you shine on stage the best.
3) Outfits. Find outfits that will help you shine on stage. The colors you pick are important because if you choose one that does not compliment your skin tone, it will not look as good on you and will not help stand out. Always get a second opinion from someone you know who will be honest with you. Last year I almost went with a tan dress but with the second opinion I realized I wouldn’t stand out on stage, that’s why I went with the turquoise dress. When you choose outfits that you love and compliment you, you will be confident on stage and will wow the judges. *Thank you to my wonderful costume designer, Grandma Mai,who made my ethnic outfit and sewed everything together by hand! I appreciate your help and love so much.
Contestant #1 Diana Lam in her beautiful ethnic that stood out on stage so well!
4) Practice smiling and walking in your heels. I know this sounds bizarre but you want to practice holding your smile for pageant night! Not only that but you must multitask by smiling, walking (in heels!) and posing. How I practiced for this was I would put on my shoes that I was going to use for the night and I would go on the treadmill and put it on a low speed and practice smiling and walking. This is a secret that I have not told anyone except my readers! This was how I got used to my heels and perfected my stage smile.
with the beautiful contestants from 2011!
4) Find a make up artist and hair stylist who knows you. Your make up and hair stylist should know how you already want your hair and make up to be. Take the time to do trials for the most complimentary make up for you and the hair style that will look best for your outfits. During my trials last year I pretended like it was actually pageant night and timed everything. Make sure you communicate with them so that they know whether you will need any help with maybe zipping your outfit or if you have a complicated ethnic outfit make sure that they can help you! All the other girls will be too busy worrying about themselves and their outfits or hair and make up that they won’t have enough hands, so your hair and make up artist will be your best friend. Last year I had my MUA and close friend help me with everything; from putting on my shoes to my earrings or even just last minute touch ups—thank you Sunshine and Rose!
Teen Princess, Shireen S.’s make up really stood out on stage that night!
5) Have fun! On pageant night, it will not even feel like a competition. I remember pageant night was so fun and exciting. The girls and I were backstage laughing and talking right before our turns. Remember, to be supportive of the girls around you and wish them luck. Last year, the girls and I memorized one another’s intro’s and would say it with the girl on stage who was presenting hers. Its an amazing and unforgettable night that you will never forget so don’t forget to have all the fun you can with one another because there will be few times again where you all can be together again and experience something like pageant night!
I wish all the contestants the best for pageant night (IN FOUR DAYS!!!) and hope these small tips will make a difference for your last week of preparation.
On March 31st 2012 the Miss Asia Sacramento 2012 contestants, staff, and current court came together for a fun filled day of baseball! The Oakland A’s came to Sacramento to play the Sacramento Rivercats. Sacramento hosted Major League Baseball for the first time in half a decade when the Oakland A’s visit the Sacramento River Cats. Though it was cold and began rainy toward the end of the game, everyone has a great day. Before the game we were given a tour of Raley Field and indulged in yummy ball park food.
I spent this day getting to know the teens more since I’ve been working hands on with the Miss contestants more. They were a blast to sit with and cannot believe how incredibly intelligent they all are. I found out that Rica Zhang just got accepted to Duke University and am so proud of her accomplishments thus far. I personally learned a ton about the art of baseball from our teen contestant,Jamie Bautista. She educated me about how many innings there are (9!) and what is a good or bad pitch. I couldn’t believe how much she loved baseball and I now want to continue attending more baseball games!
Though the game ended early due to the rain, we were given a great fireworks show still! I know all the girls had fun and got to know one another on a better level.
March 17th 2012 was designated as “Community Service Day.” The 2012 contestants, staff, Miss Community Service Phet Tran, Teen Queen Christina Yan, and myself donated new to gently used beauty products and packaged it for My Sister’s House. My Sister’s House seeks to eliminate domestic violence in the Asian and Pacific Islander community through family education, and by increasing the self-determination of Asian and Pacific Islander women (http://www.my-sisters-house.org). Everyone had so much fun putting everything together, I know My Sister’s House will appreciate our contribution. In addition it was the night that the Miss Asia Sacramento 2012 contestants made their first appearance at the2012 Media Launch Party!
2012 Miss Contestants and I showing off the bags we put together!
It was a wonderful night filled with excitement! Beside the revealing of the lovely 2012 contestants, the Media Launch Party was dedicated to fundraising money for AADP, the Asian American Donor Program. The Asian American Donor Program is an nonprofit organization which helps find matches for patients diagnosed with blood cancers, blood or bone diseases that can only be treatable by a bone marrow/stem cell transplant (http://aadp.org). AADP and MAS holds a friendship through our late teen princess, Katie Cramer. Just a few days after Katie Cramer was crowned 2nd Princess, she was informed by doctors that her leukemia was back. Katie fought her battle with leukemia to the very end. She passed away in January 2011. In honor of Katie, her friends and family continue to encourage people to register as potential marrow donors and help save lives (http://katiecramer.org/). That is why we invited AADP to host a drive during the event.
We set a goal of $200 that night and was able to exceed our goal just within 20 minutes! The girls were divided into three teams–TEAM A: Judy Lee, Helena Chow, Jenny Mo, and Christina Lee; TEAM B: Samantha Termizi, Kalai Lam, and Regina Zhu; TEAM C: Rica Zhang, Michelle Thach, Jamie Bautista, and Brook Zhan–and responsible for trying to raise as much money as possible through selling raffle tickets. Congratulations to TEAM A won by selling the most tickets and to TEAM B and C for working hard too! I know that AADP will appreciate this donation to them. AADP has been partnered with Miss Asia Sacramento for several years. During this event we were fortunate enough to have Janet Liang, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2009, as a guest speaker. Janet, Thank you for showing us what the true meaning of courage and bravery is–you inspire me to advocate about why it is so important to register and I believe you will find your match soon.
The night ended with raffle prizes and lots of fun! I know the girls had a great time because they were all smiles through out the event and definitely helped make a huge contribution to the Asian American community.
March 4, 2012 was a fun filled photoshoot day with the amazing photographer Grace Ballesteros! The photo shoot was held at A-List Salon Barvissimo and all make up and hair was sponsored by them as well–thank you so much, all the girls looked stunning!
The girls all came excited and ready to be pampered. It was great working with the salon who catered to the girls’ request. Every girl was confident when taking their photos and cannot wait to see how the photos will turn out! At photo shoot I was accompanied by Miss Community Service, Phet Tran and the MAS Staff!
Here are some quick shots from the day!
With Miss Contestants Christina and Samantha
The wonderful, beautiful, stunning 2012 contestants!
With Miss contestant Judy and Miss Comm Phet
Mrs Asia Sacramento 2012 getting her make up done
A quick snap with Teen contestant, Brook, before the shoot
Thank you to our lovely sponsor of Salon Barvissimo for having us!
On February 26, 2012 the Miss Asia Sacramento Scholarship Organization hosted our first get together with the new contestants for the 2012 pageant.
I still can remember every second of what went on during the 2011 luncheon… I arrived 30 minutes late and felt even more nervous because everyone was on time and in place. I was so excited to see all the girls who would encounter the “MAS Journey” with me. And I can’t believe how fast one year has come by! I couldn’t believe I wasn’t sitting in their spot.. rather I had on the crown as Miss Asia Sacramento. It all is still so surreal that one year ago I was in there 13 contestants’ shoes.
The luncheon was held at Oshima Sushi Lounge and had wonderful speakers come talk to the new girls. Thank you to Terri Johnson for teaching us how to be lady-like and have proper dining etiquettes in any situation. Not only that but we had financial advisers come in and taught us how to save $$, build good credit, and so much more–thank you! Last but not least, we had our wonderful Shiesedo Cosmetics sponsor come in to teach us more about how to take care of our skin, what kinds of products is best for certain skin types, and gave goody bags to us as well!
This event was the first time the contestants got to meet one another and mingle. I had a wonderful time learning names and getting to know the girls. I provided them with a goody bag filled with what I call “PAGEANT ESSENTIALS!” I hope they liked it! In addition, I was able to interact with the contestants and learn more about them. I learned that Kaila grew up in Costa Rica, Helena is a make up artist for MAC,Jamie has an ambition to attend Stanford University. All of the girls made a great impression on me and cannot wait to keep working with them and for them to build lasting sisterhood friendships.
Miss Contestant Judy Lee meeting Teen Contestant Rica
Meeting Kaila and finding out she’s from Costa Rica!!
With Miss Contestant, Christina Lee
Snapping a few photos before lunch.
HELLO to our beautiful 2012 Miss Asia Sacramento Contestants!!!!
I know this group of girls will experience the same feeling of sisterhood as I did! They all are so beautiful inside and out, I know they will represent the organization great and have the drive to move far in the future. Good luck to you girls and see you all soon!
WOW! I cannot believe that it is already March. Time has flew by so quickly. I want to take time to share with you all what has been happening these past couple of months.
I want to reflect back to the season of thanks giving, November 2011. The month of November for everyone is always a time to be with family and giving back.
On November 11, 2011 myself along with 2010 Teen Queen Deanna Nguyen were invited to participate in the Veteran’s Day Parade at the Sacramento State capitol.
It fell on November 11, 2011 (all elevens), but with troops in Iraq coming home before the end of the year, there was lot of new veterans to celebrate.Veterans Day falls on the ending day of World War I. And though veterans of all wars could use more than one national holiday to recognize them, everyone was able to celebrate this day by attending the parade! It was chilly morning but it was wonderful to see all the different organizations and beauty queens come to support the people who have fought for our country. I am so proud to be an American and thankful that we have wonderful people who care for our safety. Thank you to the wonderful Corvette Club who generously drove us with their beautiful cars during the parade.
On November 22, 2011 Miss Asia Sacramento was invited to attend the Midnight Masquerade Fashion Show hosted by Sacramento State Univeristy Student Fashion Association. All the proceeds of this event was given to The Autism Center for Excellence (ACE). Our very own Emily Tang, who was 2nd princess in the 2010 pageant, MCed the event! She did a wonderful job with her confidence and strong speaking skills. The most amazing thing about this event was that all the designers were able to show case their collection yet contribute back to the community. Myself along with Teen Princess 2010, Christina Vo, and 2010 Princess Susan Lin, and staff members Erika Geer and Sarah Lew attended this event. We had a blast seeing the wonderful designs–each collection was fresh and chich.
In addition to the wonderful month of November, it also happens to be the time the Hmong Community celebrates their New Year. Being Hmong, I was extremely excited to be able to spend time with my family, friends, and share more with Teen Queen Christina Yan my culture and customs. Several important political leaders attended and it was a privilege to meet them all.
I was invited to be the MC of the event and sing a special song, I had a great time! I learned more about public speaking skills and really had to utilize improv to keep the crowd lively when there were short breaks between special speakers and performances. Though it was cold and gloomy the event was lively and festive with all the beautiful costumes and lovely excited people who attended.
This new years celebration lasts for four days and within the celebration there are several competitions and also a beauty pageant for the title of “MISS HMONG CALIFORNIA.” I was able to watch and support 2010 Princess, Luc Her compete and win the title! She did a wonderful job and with the experience of Miss Asia Sacramento and the addition of her beauty and talents she was able to win the title–I am so proud and happy for her.
This video I included has Luc singing a traditional Hmong folk styled song. She was also awarded Miss Talent too!
Let’s move forward to the festive month of December! On December 28 I was invited to be a model for the YOUTH REVIVAL FASHION SHOW, which was held in Fresno,CA. This fashion show emphasized on Hmong designers to show case their work. I modeled for Bai Vang in her BLOSSOM Spring collection. I was extremely excited when she showed me the dress I would be modeling because 1) It was my favorite color 2) It did not need much alterations. I got to work with amazing girls and got close with them instantly! The make up artists also did an amazing job and wowed me with the look they gave. I absolutely loved my outfit and did not want to take it off. It was a great event, each designer showed their best and can not wait to see where they will all go in the future. If you’d like to know more about the very talented Bai Vang, visit her website: http://baivang.blogspot.com
I began 2012 with a reunion with my MAS Family after several months of not seeing everyone together. We had a Holiday Party to celebrate the holiday season and the new year. It was great to be with everyone again and was great to meet some of the new contestants, Michelle and Judy, as well. We had an white elephant gift exchange and I won a lovely tea set (I love tea!). This was a time of getting closer with one another and importantly remembering how thankful I am to be apart of such an amazing second family.
I got to hang out with Teen Queen 2011 Christina Yan and Miss Community ServicePhet Tran along with the amazing staff! I did not realize that putting on a pageant would be so much work and dedication but nothing would be possible without the staff. I am grateful that everyone is supportive of each other and helps one another.
With two 2012 contestants, Judy and Michelle
Gifts from Debra
With my dearest sisters, Sabrina + Christina
Before the my winter break was over I did a photoshoot with Mrs Asia Sacramento and Miss Teen Asia Sacramento. It was so much fun and had a blast with our amazing hair and make up team. We did individual and group shots. Thank you to Khong Meng Lee Photography who sponsored our shoot, visit his website for more information about his: http://www.kmleedesignphotography.com! Here are some photos for a sneek peak… stay tuned for more!
Since being crowned along side Christina, we have become the best of friends!
On October 16th, the Miss Asia Sacramento court and staff got together for our second “Fashionista Party.” This party is one which is when we bring clothes, jewelry, and accessories that we no longer need and price it all under $5, and we dig in for great deals and finds! In addition to the othes, we all brought can goods too. The money raised and the can goods will go to needy families, Miss Community Service and I will be distributing these goods together in later in the winter.
What kinds of “fashionista” party would this be without a fun session of makeup and hair?! Well, lucky us–our lovely new Makeup Coordinator, Sherry Vang, invited an amazing hair stylist, Alice, to teach us the basics of curling techniques. Alice gave us useful tips about how to let our curls stay in longer also how to create more volume too.In addition to that, our very own Elodie Thao taught us how to switch from a simple day look to a nice, dramatic night look. It was great learning from professionals simple tips to perfect any look, especially for events.
I was so glad to see the lovely girls again along with the court from the previous years.
Since becoming apart of the Miss Asia Sacramento family, it has been absolutely fabulous. Since I was young it has always been a dream of mine to participate in a beauty pageant. I can finally say “I did it!” This achievement sets a remarkable point in my life thus far and this achievement encourages me to continue striving for all my aspirations. I saw that through Miss Asia Sacramento, I’d be able to be an ambassador for our Asian American community in the greater Sacramento area and also a role model to young people as well.
These past couples of months have been the time of my life and am grateful for the many opportunities given to me. All the events that I have gone to were each special to me and can not say I favor any one in particular; they all allowed me to meet great people and represent my role as Miss Asia Sacramento. I’ve been able to network and meet with wonderful people such as Naima Mora, from America’s Next Top Model; Dr. Randy Kajioka who is Vice President of the Board of Pharmacy in California, and many more individuals who have become essentials in my networking book for future references. Overall, the events I’ve been invited to and attended allows me to practice my skills of elegance, poise, and humility whether it be me in a fancy evening gown at the APAPA 10th year anniversary dinner or in a cap and t-shirt at the SPCA Doggy Dash; I’ve found value in every event.
Since beginning college in late August as a freshman at UC Merced; I still embrace my title as Miss Asia Sacramento. I find myself talking about the organization and what the goals of this organization are to people often! People here on campus and in the community recognize who I am (yes even without the crown and sash!) and give only positive praises about this scholarship organization. Since moving here I keep myself occupied with community service as well; I work hands on with the Merced Police Department Mentorship program and will be volunteering at the Hospital in the Spring. But the most exciting thing so far here is that I was given the opportunity to help with the 1st Miss UC Merced pageant; it brought back wonderful memories from last spring.
Lastly, I send words of encouragement to girls reading this. Take part of this pageant and allow yourself to be uncomfortable in order to find your comfort. By being apart of this family you will be able to build an everlasting sisterhood with pageant sisters and mentorship from staff members who care dearly about you. Miss Asia Sacramento has taught me to be the best that I can be and helped me acquire essential skills for any occasion. Put your best foot forward and know… you’re dearly beautiful, intelligent, and will be a great role model to the community. I believe in you.
It’s time to look for the NEW 2012 Miss and Teen Asia Sacramento!
Be part of this amazing experience!
Check our website: www.missasiasacramento.com, facebook: http://www.facebook.com/missasiasacramento, and twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MissAsiaSac2012 for more updates!
For applications and questions, please contact info@missasiasacramento.com
