Prince Charming: Her Thao aka HERSHY
Quick Facts
1. Birthday – Feb. 3, 1987
2. Place of birth: St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint Paul, MN
3. Hmoob Dawb
4. Parent’s names: Nom Lwm Thoj & Maiv Ntxhi Vaj
5. Current occupation/education: I’m out of school right now, but I plan to go to Metropolitan State University next year to study criminal justice.
When asked about how he felt hearing his name announced as the Hmong-American Prince Charming for 2006, Her Thao aka “Hershy�, gasped and replied, “awe man! I was really overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe it because everyone said I wouldn’t win. When I heard my name, I just dropped to the ground.�
Hershy went into the pageant with full force, as it was his second attempt after failing to place in last year’s Prince Charming 2005 pageant. “I’ve always wanted to join the pageant, so last year when I was finally old enough to enter I tried it, but it was a lot harder than I expected and I didn’t place anything. I was actually embarrassed and I wanted to prove to everyone that I could win.�
Being the 4th youngest of 14 children, Hershy’s always had the desire to “be known� and winning the title of Prince Charming 2006 is his first step in that direction. He hopes the title will open opportunities for him to record his own CD, which is a dream he has had since childhood.
Winning the title has changed his perspective on lots of things and has taught him the importance of self-confidence and perseverance. “I never believed dreams could come true. But this has changed all of that. This is the biggest thing I ever won. So if you have a dream just really go for it and it will come true– don’t put yourself down. Don’t let other people put you down or discourage you. Just keep doing it. Pick yourself back up and keep trying it.�
Questions & Answers
Q: What’s your favorite store?
American Eagle.
Q: What kind of car do you drive?
Honda Accord
Q: If you were a car, which car would you be? I would be a Skyline.
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
McDonalds – Value Meal #1
Q: What’s your idea of a great first date?
A restaurant that is not too expensive not too cheap and a movie – not a romance – a comedy so we can laugh.
Q: If you were a Super Hero, what would your super power be?
I would make things appear and disappear.
* To contact Hershy, e-mail: her_thao04@yahoo.com
Miss Hmong American 2006: Alicia Yang
Quick Facts
1. Birthday: Sept. 7, 1986
2. Place of birth: Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, MN
3. High School: Central High School & Simley High
4. Hmoob Dawb
5. Parents: Zong Yang & Padee Lee
6. Current occupation/education: Student at Metro State - would like to study Law, Business Administration or Social Work.
“Alicia Yaj. Alicia Yaj,� was the only thing she could hear through the deafening adrenalin rush that took over her consciousness when the MC announced her as the next Miss Hmong American for 2006.
“I was so surprised! I really didn’t go into the pageant thinking I would win. I just did it for the experience so I couldn’t believe it. When I was in line and they called me for the top 5, I was already really shocked. I was already so happy at that point. Then, it was just me and Nkauj Ntxawm and I was in disbelief. But, when they called her name for second - I couldn’t hear anything anymore and time just kind of stopped. I couldn’t even breathe. All I could do was try to follow what the MCs told me to do. It took me a couple of days to get over the shock. I was so happy – I wanted to sleep in my crown.�
Although Alicia claims that entering the pageant was, “an impulsive decision� merely for the experience, actually going through the pageant and winning the title has broadened her appreciation for the “intricate details and hard work involved with the whole process.�
Now that Alicia holds the title for 2006, she would like to spend a couple of months in Laos to go to school or to teach. “I really want to get in touch with the community. I say I’m Hmong or Hmong American, but I can’t really know what that means until I’ve experienced living like the elders did in Laos. I think barriers between youth and the elders exist because we come from different places. I want to understand them better, so I would like to go live that life for myself. Experience beats knowledge right?�
Thoughtful and continuously positive, Alicia adamantly credited former Miss Hmong American 2005, Pakou, and Ntsuab Pov Muas, for organizing this year’s pageant so well. “I admire Pakou for being so young and tolerant of everything that was thrown at her. And Ntsuab Pov is just a great guy – he took a lot of stuff from people. He did a great job being the first male I know to coordinate a pageant.�
Alicia Yang’s confidence and admirable enthusiasm brings a hopeful energy for great possibilities in 2006.
In lieu of her well-deserved crowning, Alicia states that winning the title as Miss Hmong American 2006 has been a great experience with no complaints and encourages future aspiring contestants to really enjoy the experience for what it is. “Everyone will go through some psychological rebound and start doubting themselves, but you have to remember that even if you don’t win the crown, getting through the training alone is worth being proud of.�
Questions & Answers
Q: What’s your favorite store?
The grocery store! Because I love eating. No, but seriously, Barnes and Noble – that store is just filled with everything I need. I love reading. I love literature. Favorite Author: Amy Tan
Q: What kind of car do you drive?
Toyota Camry
Q: If you were a car, which car would you be? If I were a car?
That’s like asking, ‘if you were a tree, which tree would you be? I would be a Northern Pine!’ Just kidding. Well, I like class and sophistication, so whatever car fits under that category, I would go for it.
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
I like the Cheesecake Factory. That is the most awesome place I’ve ever been to.
Q: What’s your idea of a great first date?
A walk around a really nice lake would be the perfect thing. Nothing spendy or flashy. Doing something to get to know that person is the best thing.
Q: If you were a Super Hero, what would your super power be?
To end all suffering. I think everyone works to end some sort of suffering in their life whether it’s mental or physical everyone wants to stop the pain.
credit to hmongtoday
Quick Facts
1. Birthday – Feb. 3, 1987
2. Place of birth: St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint Paul, MN
3. Hmoob Dawb
4. Parent’s names: Nom Lwm Thoj & Maiv Ntxhi Vaj
5. Current occupation/education: I’m out of school right now, but I plan to go to Metropolitan State University next year to study criminal justice.
When asked about how he felt hearing his name announced as the Hmong-American Prince Charming for 2006, Her Thao aka “Hershy�, gasped and replied, “awe man! I was really overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe it because everyone said I wouldn’t win. When I heard my name, I just dropped to the ground.�
Hershy went into the pageant with full force, as it was his second attempt after failing to place in last year’s Prince Charming 2005 pageant. “I’ve always wanted to join the pageant, so last year when I was finally old enough to enter I tried it, but it was a lot harder than I expected and I didn’t place anything. I was actually embarrassed and I wanted to prove to everyone that I could win.�
Being the 4th youngest of 14 children, Hershy’s always had the desire to “be known� and winning the title of Prince Charming 2006 is his first step in that direction. He hopes the title will open opportunities for him to record his own CD, which is a dream he has had since childhood.
Winning the title has changed his perspective on lots of things and has taught him the importance of self-confidence and perseverance. “I never believed dreams could come true. But this has changed all of that. This is the biggest thing I ever won. So if you have a dream just really go for it and it will come true– don’t put yourself down. Don’t let other people put you down or discourage you. Just keep doing it. Pick yourself back up and keep trying it.�
Questions & Answers
Q: What’s your favorite store?
American Eagle.
Q: What kind of car do you drive?
Honda Accord
Q: If you were a car, which car would you be? I would be a Skyline.
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
McDonalds – Value Meal #1
Q: What’s your idea of a great first date?
A restaurant that is not too expensive not too cheap and a movie – not a romance – a comedy so we can laugh.
Q: If you were a Super Hero, what would your super power be?
I would make things appear and disappear.
* To contact Hershy, e-mail: her_thao04@yahoo.com
Miss Hmong American 2006: Alicia Yang
Quick Facts
1. Birthday: Sept. 7, 1986
2. Place of birth: Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, MN
3. High School: Central High School & Simley High
4. Hmoob Dawb
5. Parents: Zong Yang & Padee Lee
6. Current occupation/education: Student at Metro State - would like to study Law, Business Administration or Social Work.
“Alicia Yaj. Alicia Yaj,� was the only thing she could hear through the deafening adrenalin rush that took over her consciousness when the MC announced her as the next Miss Hmong American for 2006.
“I was so surprised! I really didn’t go into the pageant thinking I would win. I just did it for the experience so I couldn’t believe it. When I was in line and they called me for the top 5, I was already really shocked. I was already so happy at that point. Then, it was just me and Nkauj Ntxawm and I was in disbelief. But, when they called her name for second - I couldn’t hear anything anymore and time just kind of stopped. I couldn’t even breathe. All I could do was try to follow what the MCs told me to do. It took me a couple of days to get over the shock. I was so happy – I wanted to sleep in my crown.�
Although Alicia claims that entering the pageant was, “an impulsive decision� merely for the experience, actually going through the pageant and winning the title has broadened her appreciation for the “intricate details and hard work involved with the whole process.�
Now that Alicia holds the title for 2006, she would like to spend a couple of months in Laos to go to school or to teach. “I really want to get in touch with the community. I say I’m Hmong or Hmong American, but I can’t really know what that means until I’ve experienced living like the elders did in Laos. I think barriers between youth and the elders exist because we come from different places. I want to understand them better, so I would like to go live that life for myself. Experience beats knowledge right?�
Thoughtful and continuously positive, Alicia adamantly credited former Miss Hmong American 2005, Pakou, and Ntsuab Pov Muas, for organizing this year’s pageant so well. “I admire Pakou for being so young and tolerant of everything that was thrown at her. And Ntsuab Pov is just a great guy – he took a lot of stuff from people. He did a great job being the first male I know to coordinate a pageant.�
Alicia Yang’s confidence and admirable enthusiasm brings a hopeful energy for great possibilities in 2006.
In lieu of her well-deserved crowning, Alicia states that winning the title as Miss Hmong American 2006 has been a great experience with no complaints and encourages future aspiring contestants to really enjoy the experience for what it is. “Everyone will go through some psychological rebound and start doubting themselves, but you have to remember that even if you don’t win the crown, getting through the training alone is worth being proud of.�
Questions & Answers
Q: What’s your favorite store?
The grocery store! Because I love eating. No, but seriously, Barnes and Noble – that store is just filled with everything I need. I love reading. I love literature. Favorite Author: Amy Tan
Q: What kind of car do you drive?
Toyota Camry
Q: If you were a car, which car would you be? If I were a car?
That’s like asking, ‘if you were a tree, which tree would you be? I would be a Northern Pine!’ Just kidding. Well, I like class and sophistication, so whatever car fits under that category, I would go for it.
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
I like the Cheesecake Factory. That is the most awesome place I’ve ever been to.
Q: What’s your idea of a great first date?
A walk around a really nice lake would be the perfect thing. Nothing spendy or flashy. Doing something to get to know that person is the best thing.
Q: If you were a Super Hero, what would your super power be?
To end all suffering. I think everyone works to end some sort of suffering in their life whether it’s mental or physical everyone wants to stop the pain.
credit to hmongtoday
