Miss Cambodia Utah 2014

Do you guys remember when I wrote about speaking at the Miss Cambodia Utah 2014 orientation meeting in November? Well, their competition day is finally here! I've been particularly excited because  this is the first time that the Cambodian community in Utah has held a cultural pageant. I've also never gotten the chance to attend their New Year's celebration so it's a double excitement!

I ran into a couple friends at the event! And not all of them are Cambodian! Just shows how supportive everyone is of each other's cultural celebrations.

The Cambodian community was so gracious to invite me to come speak at the pageant. I told them that although I'm not Cambodian, I decided to dress up in their cultural clothing to get in the spirit of Cambodian New Year's. They gave me a heartfelt applause after I said that. It was a really great crowd. I also learned how to say Happy New Year's in Khmer..."Sua S'dey Ch'nam Ch'my."

I wasn't the only one Vietnamese who got in the Cambodian spirit. My sister did too!

7 strong-willed contestants competed for the title of Miss Cambodia Utah this year. Their phases of competition included private interview, traditional costume, evening gown, and on-stage Q&A.

I was blown away by the fun energy of the entertainment and performances they had. They are such a fun group of people. They had performances from all different age groups - a little girls' fashion show to an all-male recreation of the YMCA dance. There's no way you would've fallen asleep at this show!

The results boiled down to Darlene Neth being named as 2nd runner-up, Michelle Tiem as 1st runner-up, and Kanika Eng as the first Miss Cambodia Utah 2014!

I am so thrilled for Kanika! Her and I first met when we were contestants for Miss UN USA in 2012. She won the Congeniality award that year and it was rightfully given because she is such a sweet person! I absolutely love her! In the beginning, she had doubts about competing but Agnes and I pushed her to enter the Miss Cambodia Utah...and look where she is now! I'm so proud of her and can't wait to work with her this year.

Shoutout to Chanda Chuon for all of his hard work in making the Cambodian New Year's and Miss Cambodia Utah event such a success! I know he's been stressed out trying to juggle a bazillion things at once but he handled it with grace. And a special acknowledgement to my pageant director, Agnes Higley to all of her guidance in helping the Cambodian community put on their first cultural pageant. She's dedicated a lot of time with them as well. Glad I could be there to witness the result of their hard work!

Miss Asia Utah 2014 Workshop

And just like that, we have kicked off our first workshop for the Miss Asia Utah, Miss Asia Teen Utah, and Mrs. Asia Utah 2014 pageant! Today's workshop educated our contestants about interview and walking on-stage. We had the pleasure of having Heather Richey, whose experience in pageantry includes directing the Jr. Miss (South of Salt Lake 2007-2008). Their winner, Lindsey Brinton, won the local, state, and national for America's Jr. Miss that year. She was also a judge for Mr. Caveman and Miss Draper pageants. She has been a mock interview judge and coach for Miss Herriman. As a competitor, she was 2nd and 4th runner-up in the Mrs. Utah United States pageant, winner of Mrs. Puerto Rico United States, Mrs. Northern States US Continental, Mrs. Utah Global America, Mrs. Global America 2007, Mrs. US Ambassador 2012, and Mrs. Premier World 2013.

Our second headlining guest was Jessica Whalen, who is my pageant coach. She is a former pageant contestant who has won thousands of dollars in scholarships while promoting her platform, "Fortify the Family: Educate and Legislate." She has won awards and held titles in systems including Pageant of America, Miss Utah USA, Princess America, and numerous local Miss America pageants. Her successes are recognized at the local, state, and national level. She now owns a pageant coaching business named Crowns 'N More and has trained many contestants to the crown.

Bummer that our time was short with her because she gave our contestants great tips to help them prepare for the stage. Thank you both for your guidance and advice to our contestants!