Miss Vietnam (MVNCI) Pageant 2014
When most people hear the phrase “beauty pageant” they think of layers of makeup, tears, and reality TV. The Miss Vietnam of Northern California Intercollegiate (MVNCI) Pageant is anything but – striving to encourage young women of Vietnamese descent in the greater Bay Area to present a positive image of their community to the general populace.
Since the contest was revived in 2009, the pageant has stood for more than just pretty faces. Weekly workshops give contestants lessons in interviewing skills (which will be useful throughout their lives) as well as how to walk elegantly in an Ao Dai (the cultural dress for women in Vietnam).
This year, ten weeks of practice all led up to pageant day on March 30th, 2014 which was held at the Campbell Heritage Theatre. Each contestant showed her dancing talent, answered a random question for the judges, demonstrated a unique personal talent and presented themselves in both an Ao Dai and a formal evening gown. Short recorded speeches from each contestant discussing their goals if elected Queen were shown.
It is the heavy focus on charity which makes the MVNCI Pageant stand out. The funds collected allow the Queen and her court to participate in numerous activities – from assisting Brides Against Breast Cancer to helping plant new foliage in national parks in the Bay Area.
The 2014 Queen and Court are:
Queen – Christina Truong
First Princess – Crystal Bui
Second Princess – Cathy Nguyen
Miss Ao Dai – Mandy Dang
Miss Congeniality – Crystal Bui
Miss Entrepreneur – Mandy Dang
Miss Photogenic – Quy Hoa Le
Miss Social – Cindy Nguyen
Miss Talent – Crystal Bui
More about the pageant: http://missvietnamnorcal.com
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/missvietnamnorcal