Amy Chanthaphavong: Miss Asian America 2009
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Meeting Amy For the First Time
I actually stumbled upon Amy Chanthaphavong while doing a search for the SEA Games which was held for the first time in Vientiane, Laos. In the article about the SEA Games was mention of Miss Asian America 2009 Amy Chathaphavong’s desire to attend. While doing so, I “met” Amy for the first time and so became very intrigued. Maybe someday, I will meet her in person (keep dreaming, sucker)—that is unless Rayna H. Hurman has something to say about it. Not before was I aware that there was such a thing as the Miss Asian America Pageant before learning about Amy, or that for the first time in the Pageant’s 24 year history, a Laotian American was a contestant. With that said, it could be concluded that the first time a Laotian American entered the Miss Asian America Pageant proved to be a charm, because Amy Chanthaphavong walked away from the pageant which was held at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts Theater as the reigning Queen of Miss Asian America on August 8, 2009.
By the way, don't miss out all three of the featured videos! Please enjoy.
-ODP
An Early Lao Music Video Starring Amy!
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From Softagon's Official Website:
Amy Chanthaphavong is Softagon’s Operations Manager. Originally from San Diego, Amy received her Bachelor of Science from the University of San Francisco, where she majored in Political Science and minored in Business, and worked in the legal field as office manager, paralegal, and legal assistant. Her responsibilities at Softagon include human resources, accounting, recruiting, sales support and administration. Amy enjoys reading, traveling, attending jazz concerts and Broadway shows, make-up artistry and wedding planning.
Bio of Amy Chanthaphavong and a Chance Meeting
Amy Chanthaphavong was born and raised in San Diego, California. While growing up, her parents instilled in her the capacity to cherish and embrace the Lao culture, which included sending her to a nearby Buddhist temple in San Diego on Sundays for schooling so that she learn the Lao language—the language of her ancestors.
As fate would have it, Amy was spotted by the founder and President of the Miss Asian American Rose Chung while dancing at the very first International Lao New Year Festival in San Francisco while dancing on stage. Through Mr. Sirch Chanthyasack, the Chair of the ILNYF, the two would go on to meet one another. The Lao Seri Association would become Amy's first sponsor.
Despite being 27 years of age whereas many of the other 22 beautiful and talented contestants were for the most part between the ages of 19 and 22, Amy would prove to be the victor. She certainly was the best of the bunch, don't you think?
2009 Miss Asian America Pageant Photo Gallery
“As a girl I struggled with my identity, growing up as a Laotian American. Its great to have an organization and event like this to help unite and strengthen our presence in the community.”
-Amy Chanthaphavong on the Center for Lao Studies
Paving the Way and Making Us Proud
The New York Times and Time Magazine reported two very important things to the world pertaining to Laos just recently: That Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Laos was the #1 Travel Destination in the World and proclaimed that Beer Lao is Asia's best tasting beer and for the first time ever, Laos hosted the South East Asian Games (2009). Now, in 2009, Amy Chathaphavong became the most beautiful Asian American, bar none. I really do hope that this is the start of something big and that this trend continues. I could certainly get used to it.
Safe to say, I'm proud to have been born in Laos and learning about the successes of Lao and Laotians is certainly a joy. If anything else, Amy has given hope to many of us, including many young women who hope to someday be crowned Miss Asian America one day, because not only is she smart, educated, talented and a dutiful daughter, she's also selfless in her volunteer work and charity. She's certainly a great role model to us all. Congratulations, Amy. You deserve it.
Her Coronation
Life After Miss Asian America
Amy is currently a fashion design student at the Parsons in Manhattan, NYC. In addition to school, Amy is also the Operations Manager at Softagon Corporation. In 2004 she earned her Bachelors in Political Science from the University of San Francisco. Her community service includes interning at Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s office, volunteering at Bowery Mission Outreach, event coordinator at the 2009 First International Lao New Year Festival (ILNYF) in San Francisco and a host on LaoStar TV.
-Courtesy of laoamericanmagazine.com
I'd like to personally thank David Yu Photo Galleries for the exquisite pictures. Please click here to view more of his fabulous work.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the Crown Jewel of Laos otherwise known as Amy Chanthaphavong. Below, you'll find more of my hubs on Laos and Lao culture. Thank you for reading!
© Copryright 2009. All Rights Reserved.
- Deal or No Deal Model Ursula Mayes
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- Kay Sivilay: Import Tuner Magazine Model
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- Alexandra Bounxouei: The Lao Princess of Pop
Courtesy AlexandraBounxouei.com Chances are, unless you are Lao (like me) or Bulgarian, you've never heard of Alexandra Bounxouei (pronounced boon-soo). As her title indicates, Alexandra or Sandra for short,...
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If you're familiar with my other hub articles on Import Models, you'll remember that Kay Sivilay: Import Tuner Magazine Model was the first model I covered. Friends of mine asked me if there were other...
- 2009 Hankook Girls
After writing a hub article on Falken Tire Show Girls, I decided to write another hub article on arguably their biggest competitors: Hankook Tire USA Umbrella Girls. Another name for them could also be...
Hubs on Laos
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Vientiane would have to be the most relaxed capital city in the world! A Laos vacation is sure to appeal to many because of its relaxed atmosphere and although this article is about Vientiane, the general... - Visit Luang Prabang Laos
Wat Haw Pha Bang in Luang Prabang Laos Steeped in history and tradition, Luang Prabang is Laos' Crown Jewel. Inducted into the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1995... - Beer Lao
As I recall, I first learned about Beer Lao from a T-Shirt. While walking around one day at my Buddhist Temple fair grounds during a festival, I spotted a Lao guy not much younger than me walking around... - Khene: The Mouth Organ of Laos
One Lao poem has stated that: - An Introduction To Sticky Rice
Before even diving into a hot basket of steaming sticky rice, make sure you do a temperature test much the same way you stick your big toe in a lake before jumping in (although I don't recommend you trying... - Alexandra Bounxouei: The Lao Princess of Pop
Courtesy AlexandraBounxouei.com Chances are, unless you are Lao (like me) or Bulgarian, you've never heard of Alexandra Bounxouei (pronounced boon-soo). As her title indicates, Alexandra or Sandra for short,...
Lao Folktales by dohn121
- Lao Folktales : The Magic White Swan
Once there was a lonely farmer who decided to go fishing one day. He wore a shawl around his head to save from being bitten by mosquitoes and other bugs and carried a long fishing net. When he reached... - Lao Folktales : The Mango Tree
A real mango tree! There once was a beautiful mango tree that grew in the jungle near a village. Each and every year when its fruit was in season, the children from the village would run into... - Lao Folktales : The Crescent Moon Comb
Author's Note: A word about mia noi or minor wives For married men to have minor wives is a common practice in both Thai and Lao societies. A minor wife is a mistress in which a married man will have in...
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Great Photos and Videos Dohn.Hope your dream comes true soon.
@TattoGuy-Thanks, TG! Ha! Talk about arm candy! Yeah, California for sure a dream to me. Doncha wish they were all Californian? I'm glad you like meeting her too.
@andromida-Thanks again, andromida. Here's to champagne wishes and caviar dreams :D
She IS beautiful! Hehe, interesting choice, Dohn!
A really beautiful girl. With her on one arm and a Beer Lao in the hand of the other I would be a very happy old man. Many Lao girls come close though but the only thing that comes close to Beer Lao is Beer Hoi from Vietnam. Now I have got myself thinking about Vietnam girls. Thanks Dohn.
Dohn, you know how to pick 'em. She's drop-dead beautiful, and I imagine her talents equal her beauty. You did a fine job in presenting her to your colleagues here at Hub, but now you need to present Hub to her. Send her the link and get her interested in your great Hubs. Who knows, since she's single and you are too, you may just some day...
Don White
She is a beauty--give her my regards and congratulations. You have good reason to be proud of your Laotian heritage!
Good job, Dohn! Amy certainly is adoreable. I enjoyed your review of her.
Beautiful girl, she deserves to win.
I'm with dusanotes, who knows what could happen. Imagine a HubPages match all because you wrote about her. Truly romantic!
She is a real stunner indeed with brains and talent to boot. I'm with Don White and Bail Up! I'll take it a step further and send the link myself (with your approval of course:) Great read as always dohn. Makes me want to get away to Luang Prabang asap.
Beautiful Hub. Elegant Lady. Thanks for the nice photo's. As for not meeting her in person yet.... Dohn, just leave that to me - I will be having a quiet word with Santa.
You never know what you will be unwrapping this Xmas...
Best Wishes.
she deserves that title.
oh DOHN< she is indeed very beautiful and you deserve them both LOL< dreams LOL and Rayna too,
I love her costume DOHN, Asian beauty and she deserve all the accolades.
Dohn, the Steelers finally won last night, very close,NYG should win tonite, BARACK will watch it, LOL
very nice tribute, I always feel that Asian women rocks, like Alexandra Bounxouei too,
Maita
I have never heard of this pageant. Thanks for the information I learned something new today. Beautiful pictures.
Tammy
Thank you for another very beautiful and informative hub, Dohn. I'm very interested to learn about Laotian culture. This woman is beautiful and very smart, too. I'm sure she, and you, will find success in all your endeavors.
@Tatjana-Mihaela-Thank you, Tatjana-Mihaela :D You know, I've only dated one Lao girl my entire life?
@Peter Dickinson-Thank you Peter! I've seen a lot of beautiful Lao girls, but Amy is certainly exceptional. I met one girl who was nearly as beautiful while in Ohio. It turned out she just happens to be my cousin :P Here's the $64,000 question: Would you give up beer to be with her?
@dusanotes-Interesting advice, Don...I did "follow" her on Twitter (yep, I found her) but I doubt she'll follow me back. From the looks of it, she hasn't been active there since September, which is a month after she struck gold when winning her crown. Time will tell I guess! Thanks again, Don!
@juneaukid-Yes I do have much reason to be proud. It seems that every time I do a search on something, I find new and pleasant info about Laos. It really is incredible. Thanks again!
@alekhouse-Thank you, alekhouse. I wonder if her crown makes her in any way eligible to compete in Miss America!
@Bail Up!-Woah! Imagine that! That would DEFINITELY give me something to write about! *crosses fingers*
@Green Lotus-Geez, you guys are such good friends :D Do I approve? I shouldn't have to ask, lol. Maybe I'll see you in Luang Prabang one day...With Amy?
@Lady_E-Again, you guys are too much :D Thanks for that! I'm sure that her parents wouldn't mind her being with me! I'm almost flabbergasted that she's not yet married! Thanks, as always!
@jobister-Damn right! (Sorry about the excitement, bro).
@prettydarkhorse-Yes! Giants win a historic game! Now why the heck can't they play like that every week? Geez...Thanks so much for the comment. Realistically and honestly, Rayna H. Hurman is the only girl for me...Which reminds me, I hope she doesn't catch wind of this hub! Oh no! You're the best, Maita.
@Tammy Lochmann-Pretty cool, right? The great thing is that eligibility is dependent on community service rather on strictly looks. In my opinion, Amy's the entire kitten kaboodle. Thanks, Tammy!
@Paradise7-You're welcome, Paradise7. I'm going to make a stronger effort on focusing my hubs on Laos. Not enough is known about Laos as a whole. I'd really like to share more about it as much as possible. Thanks as always and thank you for the well-wishing!
She's beautiful ! Dohn, your hubs about Laos and Laotian make me want to visit Laos. Although it is close to Indonesia I never been there.
Thank you for that, Bbudoyono. Perhaps one day, you'll get the chance to go. You're a lot closer than I am!
Great looking Gal! Nice Hub! I love Asian chicks!
If only so many of us others would embrace our cultures, she is beautiful and I am honored that you to are also proud of your heirtage and so proud that you are sharing about of your life with us. I hope one day we can travel to Laos because the people and the culture seem so warm and wonderful! Merry Christmas! :)
Dohn - Would I give up beer to be with her? No...and not because I can't give up the beer (I have not had a beer in a week) but because beauty isn't all its cracked up to be. I like beauty, I like to see and admire and enjoy it but I prefer being 'with' real women. I have hot dated the most beautiful girl in Vietnam (at least I thought so) and she was very disappointing. Possessive from day two, argumentative on day three. There wasn't a day four. I, much later dated her friend, not on looks but on niceness. She was lovely and years later I am still in touch. And just in case you are wondering...no, I didn't make love to her.
@Cheeky Girl-Thanks for the feedback! I love Asian chicks too :D
@AEvans-Thank you, "J." There's so much about Laos that I want to share with the rest of the HP community. The more digging I do, the more I find. Maybe someday you'll get the opportunity to visit Laos! Thank you for the comment. Merry Christmas to you too :D
@Peter Dickinson-Yes, I agree with you. I find that many of the most scenic girls are money hungry in that manner. In my eyes, the only perfect girl is the one whose feelings are reciprocal to my own. To a certain extent, I can understand that a women wants to be taken cared of financially, but I could understand better those who would sacrifice the world to be with me as I would do the same. What a fascinating story, Peter. Maybe one day you'll reunite with her? Thanks for coming back and sharing that with me.
Surely, beauty is beauty - and needs no division in to Asian American, Greek American, Afro American or whatever?
Ha! Yeah, I agree. Just tell that to all the sponsors! Although I do agree with you, you would store fresh produce in the frozen section of the supermarket, would you? Different strokes for different folks :D Thanks, Nicks.
Very lovely pictures. She looks amazing hope you do get to meet her.
Thank you, Heart Felt Book. I hope I do too!
Great choice Dohn, She is a very beautiful woman. I definitely enjoyed this hub. Thanks
Hey, TFT. Thanks for that! The funny thing is that I've seen her before like a year ago and never knew it to be her (from the Lao music video). Crazy, huh?
nice to hear about a girl taking pride in her culture
Thank you for commenting, MBP42. She's certainly won me over :D
hi DOHN< I just came by to say "Maligayang Pasko",
I will check again if I really read all of your work now,,,,
Maita
She is very pretty. Nice to hear you wrote a tribute to her.
@prettydarkhorse-Thanks, Maita. Maligayang Pasko to you too! I'm working hard right now on Part 12! TTYS? Dohn
@SweetiePie-Thanks for that, SweetiePie. I wonder if she'll ever stumble upon this hub? That would be something :D
Great Hub dohn... she is indeed gorgeous... BTW Laotians performed well in the recent SEA Games and Laos hosted the games well... Happy new year my great dude...!!!
Ha! Thanks, GH! Yes, they did. I'm planning to write a hub about their successes very soon. I'm glad you took notice :D The Philippines did well too! Thanks my friend. And a Happy New Year to you too!
Gorgeous young lady! Asian women are so beautiful. I hope you get to meet her someday!
ME TOO!!! Thanks, habee! Yes, she's certainly a knock out and is the complete package...Where did I put that magical lamp???
she is stunningly beautiful. here's wishing that you will get your Christmas wish of meeting her one day!
Thank you for that bingskee! That would certainly make my New Year!
she is gorgeous - so sweet and wholesome-looking! i have to say i have always considered Asian (and Latin) women some of the most striking. haha love this one also! :D
Yeah, she's all that and a bowl of rice ;) Mama san would be proud to have her as a daughter-in-law I'd say. Thanks so much, cosette. I share your sentiments!
Amy Chanthaphavong is a great celebrity
Yes, she definitely is, shinujohn2008. Thank you for commenting!
Very beautiful lady. You go, Amy! Beat those young'uns!
Ha! It's really incredible that she defied all odds and won out in the end! She really was by far, the most beautiful of the bunch! Thank you, songbyrd100!
Um...You forgot to leave a comment, CatholicMason, lol.
Bed sexy beauty
I never knew there was such a thing as, "Miss Asian America". No question about it - she's a pretty pageant winner.
Thank you, Lisa HW! She certainly deserves the title and not just because of her looks :)
so gorgious
nice
awesome
Thanks guys! You're all men of few words ;)
SHE IS PREETTY GIRL . When i see her . I felt in love with her . She is so charm and attractive to my eyes
:D Thanks, johnnyli32. She stole my heart too...Now, how to get it back...Hmmm :)
Reasons why so many American men marry Asians.
Thank you again. I watched one Asian comedian voice opinion on just that and thought it funny, because all but one of all the girls I've ever dated were Caucasian, lol.
She is very talented, and as i always say, you can go very far if you want to, and she has come very far, done very well for herself.
Excellent hub, she is beautifull and deserves what she has achieved, and you have highlighted everything very well! Thanks for a very good rea!
She's one of the prettiest Lao girls I've ever had the pleasure of "meeting." She really is the complete package--I wonder why it is she's not married yet, as I'm sure she has absolutely no problems finding a suitor. Thank you again, G Miah!
Beautiful young lady, I applaud her parents for helping her to continue to know who she is and where her roots lie. Very entertaining hub dohn121.
Thanks so much fastfreta. Her parents are certainly instrumental in her upbringing and I'm sure that they are overwhelmed with the fact that she won. It's great to hear that you liked it!
colorful pictures
Thanks, OpinionDuck!
All I can say is - great hub! Great looking girl too.
hi hi thanks
Maybe one fine day i would have dream of miss Laotian american!
@Alexpte-Thanks, Alexpte! She definitely one in a million ;) I hope that she gets a career in modeling now.
@philip g64-You're welcome :D
@sord87-I have dreams about them all the time :D Thanks for the comment!
Your hubs are always great. And you find the most beautiful women in the world. I actually just gave your profile a link and you a special mention in my new hub: http://hubpages.com/hub/Interacting-with-others-on
Thank you, Daniel, for the compliment! I must admit I am having fun writing about beautiful women--call it a labour of love. Thanks for linking this!
Beautiful photos, all your wishes comes true. Thanks!
miss asiian you super blesk
she is so cute ....
Thanks, johnwangdu. I really appreciate that and I'm sure Amy appreciates it as well.
Thanks, Stan200. She certainly is :D
Thanks, pisean282311. She definitely is, isn't she?
good job ..........nice
Thank you, jas uae. I appreciate the comment.
Hi dear you are beautiful girl or women
i am appreciate you. ok
Thanks again, tariku. She's certainly stunning, isn't she? Thanks for the comment!
Wow! She's amazingly beautiful and intelligent. And I loved the dresses worn in the pageant, especially Amy's traditional-looking one.
Thank you so much, RachaelLefler! Yes, I've actually been to a couple of pageants and Amy's in particular is very colorful and unique. She definitely deserved to win in either case! Thanks for the great comment :)
Ha! It's really incredible that she defied all odds and won out in the end! She really was by far, the most beautiful of the bunch! Thank you, songbyrd100 too , thanks for your share ``i love umbrellasvery much
nice pick but I know i can put on a better story than that but..0.Great pick i got to hand it to ya
Hmmm...Not sure what to say :D Is this a backhanded compliment? Anyhow, thank you!
I have been reading this blog for some time now but never bothered to comment until today. Wanted to let you know that I am a fan and enjoy your work.
Parang ka si lauren sa facebook
Korp jai, Donna May Nogar. I'll be sure to check it out.
nice info dude...was she on victoria's secret fashion show?
Thanks again, maxx2010. As far as I know, she wasn't. Her life is actually pretty low-key thus far, but she's slowly getting more and more offers to model elsewhere.
haha..."all that and a bowl of rice" :D
sooo rating this UP. AWEsummmm............
Ha! She is, isn't she? I think that one day, I'm going to meet her :D Why the heck not right? Thanks, buddy. I'm still working on Part 27 as we speak :)
She's hot, hot, hot!
...Not to mention beautiful! Thank you, werteundpolitik for the feedback.
i didn't know there was such thing as miss asian america, good to know! i have my own ideas on whos the best asian model though!
TattoGuy 2 years ago
What a stunner, jeeez the Beach Boys were right ya just can't beat those Californian Girls. I hope you meet her one day Dohn but I hope when ya do she's on my arm lol ; )