Miss Vietnam Utah 2014

Two years ago, I competed in the Miss Vietnam Utah pageant and was fortunate enough to place as 2nd runner-up. I loved my experience and met such great girls. This year, I had the honor to help co-direct the 2014 pageant with Lisa Ly, the reigning titleholder and Jenny Le, one of former contestants. We began recruiting around September and held our orientation meeting in November. We ended with 10 wonderful contestants. This year, we decided to add the evening gown competition to accompany the traditional costume, talent, and on-stage Q&A segments.

Another new requirement that we added to this year's pageant is service projects. We planned 3 projects this year, requiring that each contestant participate in at least one. This wasn't just an opportunity for the contestants to bond but for them to give back to the community and exhibit that pageantry is not just about beauty. We wanted to show that our contestants are not just there to stand around and look pretty but to be role models and advocates for the community.

I arranged an activity for the girls during the Christmas season so they could hang out on a social basis. It's nice to spend time together without having to think about and being nervous for the pageant. We grabbed some dim sum and did a white elephant gift exchange.

My younger sister was also one of the contestants. I knew this might cause some red flags but I told my sister from the very beginning when she turned in her application that there would be no favoring or advantages. Both my sister and I have integrity so we understood that at home, we are sisters but when it came to the pageant, we had a director-contestant relationship.

We also help two workshops to help the girls in preparation for the pageant. For the first workshop, we invited Betty Le (1st runner-up Miss Vietnam Utah 2007 and Miss Asia Utah 2010) to help the girls with walking on-stage. I headlined the second workshop regarding on-stage Q&A. One thing that I wished we had 2 years ago when I was a contestant were workshops from previous contestants so we knew what to prepare for.

Then competition day came all of a sudden, my co-directors and I were overwhelmed with everything that had to be done. Lisa and Jenny had to get the girls rehearsed with the opening number and the walking formations. Meanwhile, I was getting the highlights video put together and the music CD assembled. We arrived early to get things in place. We had contestants trickling in one by one and setting up their station in the dressing rooms...and it just got more real. I was starting to feel sad because I knew that by the end of the day, there would be one queen, two runner-ups, and a group of amazing girls that won't receive the recognition that they deserve. I've bonded with all of the contestants that I know all of their unique strengths. I wish that all of the girls could be crowned, but that's the reality of pageants. I've been on both sides, the winning and losing side...and I know what it's like to give your all in a competition and feel that it's not good enough. Nonetheless, my ultimate goal was to make sure that the girls will have gained skills that they will be able to apply in their future goals...no matter what happens in this pageant. I want them to be able to look back on this experience and think, "Hey, I learned a lot from the Miss Vietnam Utah 2014 pageant. I've learned this and this about myself and this is how I'm going to use it in my life."

I didn't get to watch the pageant as it was happening because I was helping backstage. I also ended up being a last-minute emcee because they needed someone to interpret the script in English. All I know is that the contestants all looked so beautiful and they shined with confidence on-stage. After the pageant was over, I got the chance to watch the videos that my boyfriend kindly recorded for me on our camera so I could how the contestants did. I am SO PROUD of each and every one of them because they all fought hard for that crown. The Vietnamese Community of Utah's newsletter even commented that in the 5 years that this pageant has existed, never have they seen such a great show. The contestants conducted themselves as if they were professionals and competed in pageants before. I could tell that they use all of the resources we gave to them and used it to bring their best to the stage.

I got a chance to invite my sister queens to join us for the pageant because the president of the Vietnamese Community of Utah wanted me to direct a short cultural fashion show as part of the entertainment program. Within the short timeframe that I had, 7 pageant titleholders and runner-ups were still able to make it. We had a couple hiccups during the fashion show but we worked it out. I would never recommend anyone directing, emceeing, and taking care of entertainment all in one event. Haha.

For the special awards this year, we had a Best in Traditional Dress, Best in Talent, Best in Evening Gown, Congeniality, Photogenic, and Fan Favorite. However, last minute I decided to create another special award called the "Director's Award." This is given to the contestant that has the most enthusiasm and positive attitude about the pageant. I've been observing the contestants over the last 2 months to see what kind of energy they bring to the organization. I decided to present the award to Brenda Nguyen not because of her good attendance to our meetings, workshops, rehearsals and activities...but because she is prime example of what an ideal contestant should be.

The results of the pageant were 2nd runner-up, Brenda Nguyen; 1st runner-up, Michelle Nguyen (so proud of my little sister!); and the new Miss Vietnam Utah 2014, Jenny Tran.  I plan on continue to serve as their director for the rest of the year by booking appearances for them. I'm really excited for this group because they're so willing and dedicated to serve the community. I'm excited to see what they will do and what their plans are. Thank you to everyone who helped make this all possible. I would list them but I don't want to miss anyone. Another successful event for the books :)