Kelly Truong Banh, 24 years old native of San Jose, California and alumni of the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), was recently crowded Miss Congeniality and 2nd Runner-Up at the Miss National US Scholarship Pageant. She also received the President’s Award from the president and staff of Miss National US Incorporated (MNUS) for being the contestant whom MNUS thought would be most ready for the national title based on the compilation of her community service, promotion of MNUS in her home state, and dedication to her title. Prior to the August 2011 national competition, Ms. Banh was crowded the 2010-2011 Miss California National US, a title which she will be passing on to her successor in Pasadena, California during the week of April 4th-8th, 2012, at the California State Preliminary.
“I chose to compete in the Miss National US Incorporated system because of the emphasis the organization places on service and scholarship. Next year, MNUS is teaming up with United Way. Their values are consistent with mine: creating social change, improving education, and promoting healthcare,” stated Ms. Banh.
Ms. Banh, who is currently pursuing a career in medicine, ran on the platform: American Red Cross – Community Disaster Education and First Aid. One of the activities she engages in based on this platform was presenting lessons on emergency action steps, poisoning, caring for heat-related emergencies, choking, and wrapping a wound to approximately 400 middle school students. Ms. Banh also spoke at a multitude of events to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society’s cancer research initiative. Her community involvement also includes guest appearing at Doodle Day for Neurofibromatosis at the Bay Area Discovery Museum. She has prepared food in a prep kitchen and served meals to the homeless. Moreover, she is a lifelong member of campaigns against Hepatitis B, a disease prevalent amongst the Asian American community.
“I have yet to compete in a Vietnamese American or Asian American pageant, but I would be lying if I said that my culture and heritage wasn’t largely responsible for the success that I’ve had in pageantry so far. My mom made it a point to teach me culture competency at a young age by taking me on trips to Vietnam. Knowing how to interact with people from different walks of life has been such a powerful tool to connect with people at my Miss California National US appearances,” shared Ms. Banh.
Whether or not Ms. Banh will compete in a cultural pageant is uncertain. Nonetheless, Ms. Banh no doubt is a role model for young Vietnamese American women. She clearly embraces the four traditional values of “Cong, Dung, Ngon, Hanh” (“Hardworking, Beautiful, Well-Spoken, Well-Behaved”). Using her title as a soapbox, Ms. Banh will be continuing her work for community disaster education and first aid with the American Red Cross. She will be making appearances and delivering speeches at charity events throughout California. Yet, even though she is using her title to more easily get involved with major healthcare organizations, Ms. Banh does not flaunt her crowns at charity functions.
“To be honest, I rarely ever wear my crown at charity functions. It’s gorgeously designed and definitely an eye-catcher, but I like to run around and ‘get my hands dirty,’ if you will, when I’m volunteering. At public speaking events, I want to make sure my audience is listening to what I have to say and not being distracted by the jewels on my head. Don’t get me wrong though. I am absolutely proud to be able to wear it and I am so thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been presented because of it.”
When her reign ends next year, Ms. Banh “will still feel as though I’ve made a lasting contribution to the causes that I will always care about.”
Woohoo! San Jose FTW!