I just wanna say that I don’t think much of any pageant but it is “first step” for many young ladies.. Leyna Nguyen, Vanessa Williams,Halle Berry also started as pageant contestant. So even though I don’t understand it, it is a personal’s choice for some people.. Good luck DTNT!

Writing correct Vietnamese is very important so I’ll admit my mistakes and fix them, “Xin Chao” “Xin Chao”. By the way I knew that but got so excited about responding that I forgot. But, there is a saying, “Forgive and forget”. Thanks for correcting me. ~Thuyen

I understand 100% what you are trying to say.

I’m still growing and I don’t regret anything that I have chosen towards my ultimate goal in life, to live with humblness and depth.

A pageant is probably hyprocritical to you on some level but I stay positive and always try to gain positive knowledge, not the other way around. I join to learn more about our “Vietnamese” community and easily promote our culture to a bigger audience. It is a “Vietnamese” pageant and I always think of how my community and family will be proud of my endeavors, and hopefully not just another face.

Most likely, a “pageant” facade to some people, will diminish… but at least I was proactive to try something new, something I will never regret. Hey, you don’t know what you’ll learn unless you try, right? Only time will tell. :)

With languages, I’m fluent in speaking, writing, and reading Vietnamese so minoring will be a breeze. I don’t know about Japanese though, it’s so vast and the “kanji” needs to be so accurate that a lifetime of learning will be the only confirming factor for perfection!

Once again, thank you for your criticism and I love a challange! :) Love, Thuyen

It is rather sad that the foremost recognition for women today is becoming a beauty queen, for which they can they use it as a platform to dive into whatever their future dreams may be. It is a first step, albeit almost hypocritical, since what you’re trying to change might be the very essence that will catapult you to your next endeavors. I’m not trying to give you a hard time or anything I just think this way. But it is rather nice to know that you are minoring in Vietnamese? I’m in full support of that and it’s nice to see that there are few people who still would like to learn their own native tongue and not having to fake their way through. Our language is so beautiful! Good day!

Thank you for challenging my stance on this subject, it helps me better understand my disposition on my choices.

On means, You’re absolutely right. There are other means like ruunning for mayor, unfortunately, I’m not old enough. :) I’m still only 17.

The point I’m trying to state is that personally for a “girl at my age”, the “Vietnamese” pageant is a fresh start to getting to know my own community and more importantly, to strive to discovering my role in society from another perspective. It’s a shockingly small world and everything links to everything else. I am always involved in community events and it links to the pageant because “Miss Hoa Hau” is always there to participate. Why not take on that challenging role and wholeheartedly represent from a new P.O.V at this age now?

Everything starts somewhere and my community has embraced this newfounded event. It is only 5 years old and will ongoing for the next generation of Vietnamese girls.

Maybe in the future, I might run for City Mayor if I had the passion, or the Vietnamese Community President if I had the passion. Currently, “at my age”, my passion is to represent myself the best way that I can to my community through the Vietnamese ao dai and create sutle changes that impacts the lives around me.

The “pageant” is a great way to start meeting my goals, it branches me to communication alot easier. It is just a personal goal. A typical goal to some people, but in the eye of the beholder, which is me, everything is significant. I have already meet so many Vietnamese leaders and representatives that are eagerly trying to hand down priceless commodities we like to call “Traditional Values”…

In the end, is a “pageant” worth trying to change? I believe the answer is “Yes!”. Like how a graphic designer changes the template at times… the principle foundation stays the same as is being true to simplicity and elegace, but creatively imputs own self worth and personal defiances to create those subtle changes we have come to amply enjoy.

Thank you for your wishes! I hope you have a wonderful day.

I honestly have to agree with you on that the pre-conceived rectrum of thought associated with a “pageant”, it is as boring as it sounds… a “pageant”.

It has become a typical ritual. Every single time, the same outcome…that familiar face, that resouding smile, and a crown extracted from the process of elimination. The very nature of competition…nothing more.

It has been been dully confirmed “typical” to people such as yourself and I don’t blame you at all. :)

That is exactly why I joined and what I want to obliterate to everyone. The unmovable corrosion of the typical “pageant”.

Everything is a means and I personally think this is one way I can subliminally create positive change while still feeling proud of who I am within my community. To strive to best represent the Vietnamese community especially for the younger generation’s sake. (I have two younger brothers)

It is alright if everyone assumes just another “pageant contestant”,I don’t blame anyone. From a point of reference this is fine by me but I will try my best to change the course a little at a time.

I think the most important judgment for the majority of all people is to just be considerate and take into account the role of a leader in a community…just to know that a truly deservable place in the community really does take self collectiveness,traditional grace, and cultural passion to preserve our heritage…