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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2016)
Community June 6, 2016 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Rose Festival princess delights in celebrating achievement, culture By Maileen Hamto The Asian Reporter tephanie Vo, David Douglas High School’s 2016 Rose Festival princess, won’t hesitate to let you know that she loves Disneyland. In fact, she highlighted this bit of personal trivia in her judged pageant speech that secured the win. Throughout her academic life, a primary motivation for Vo to bring home all As is a family vacation to Disneyland. “My mom knew this little kingdom renowned to be ‘the happiest place on earth’ and a little girl who desperately wants to go every year. By looking forward to Disneyland, I had something to remind me to pull through even when finals were sneaking in and all I wanted was a bag of chips and a TV remote control,” she said. And Vo has demonstrated that she is motivated to achieve more than straight As. At David Douglas, she served on student council during her freshman, sopho- more, and senior years. “This community has given me the same love and support my family has, so I truly do recognize my peers and teachers as my second family and the school, my second home.” Giving back to the David Douglas community is impor- tant for Vo, who is a lifelong resident of increasingly diverse East Portland. She sees David Douglas as “a small-scale representation of East Portland,” in terms of the growing population of residents of color from various ethnic backgrounds. “When we [students] look at each other, we acknowledge that behind every person is a past, a story that could likely involve a hard transition from another country or another struggle of some sort. While we are all different, we are all the same,” she said. She lauds her school’s commitment to honoring and valuing difference. “I’m so proud of my school’s strong advocacy toward anti-bullying, supporting a community that does not tear each other down but brings each other up,” she said. Strong ties to her own culture surely helped Vo develop a sense of awareness, humility, and respect for peers who come from various backgrounds and lived experiences. She speaks fondly of being Vietnamese American and takes pride in being among the first generation in her family to be born and raised in Portland. “In my house, my mom makes sure we’re exposed to a daily dose of our Vietnamese roots whenever possible. She Support the efforts of The Asian Reporter Foundation while shopping at Fred Meyer! It’s easy! Just link your rewards card to The AR Foundation’s number, which is 91860, at <www.FredMeyer.com/CommunityRewards>. (Linking does not affect your current card rewards.) Photo courtesy of the Vo family Photo courtesy of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation S COMMUNITY & CULTURE. Stephanie Vo (left photo) is seen with her family on a trip to Disneyland (right photo, L-R) — Stephanie, Mai, Heidi, Steven, and Sonya. Vo is representing David Douglas High School as her school’s 2016 Rose Festival princess. The Portland Rose Festival’s Queen’s Coronation takes place Saturday, June 11 at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum. won’t even respond back to me if I speak English to her. was and see how far she has gone to achieve her goals. That only strengthens my Vietnamese tongue,” she said. “The younger me was much more shy, but that never She also delights in the Asian culture’s emphasis on stopped her from dreaming big with high expectations.” celebrating accomplishments. In line with the Disneyland As part of the 2016 Rose Festival Court, Vo has family trips to reward good grades, her entire family travelled around the state representing David Douglas gathered to celebrate her crowning as a Rose Festival and East Portland in various community outreach events. She considers her experiences as part of the Rose Festival princess in the best possible way: a feast. “My family took me out to eat at the oh-so-trending Court among the “most unforgettable” of her life. “The places I’ve visited, people I’ve met, and opportuni- Fujiyama Sushi Bar & Grill, which is also my uncle’s restaurant!” she said. “I devoured copious amounts of my ties given to me were all rich experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise if it weren’t for the amazing Rose Festival favorite: the vegetable roll.” Surrounded by family and community, Vo is proud to be Court program,” she said. “I’ve gained another family. I know for sure that we’ll all well-versed in Vietnamese music and movies, as well as make an effort to stay updated with each other, but for traditional food, customs, beliefs, and celebrations. now, I’m honestly dreading the day we say our goodbyes.” “In Vietnamese culture, we respect our elders, eat in the A Rose Festival princess represents her school and acts as the name of health for proper aging, and wait for the happy “face of the Rose Festival” at many events in the community, including day of ‘red envelope gifting.’” Said Vo, lauding one of her parades, volunteer activities, luncheons with community and business favorite holidays: “Basically, money is given out during leaders, and more. The Portland Rose Festival Foundation awards each Tet — the Vietnamese New Year — where we get rid of the court member a $3,500 scholarship, courtesy of The Randall Group. old and welcome the lucky days to come with a cleaned-up To qualify for the Rose Festival Court, a candidate must be a house.” full-time junior or senior at a 4A, 5A, or 6A high school in Multnomah, Vo regrets not having a chance to visit her family’s Washington, or Clackamas county and have a minimum cumulative ancestral home … yet. But she already has a plan and grade point average of 3.0. Potential princesses are evaluated on strategy for when that milestone comes around. “When I citizenship, scholastic achievement, school activities, civic involvement, first step foot in Vietnam, I’ll be on a mission to sample all volunteer projects, communication skills, and overall impression. the exotic fruits my mom raved about growing up!” The Portland Rose Festival Queen is chosen from all of the court Being part of a close-knit and hardworking immigrant members at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, family, Vo has developed a reflective and self-scrutinizing June 11 from 8:30am to 9:30am. To learn more, call nature that allows her to look back to the child she once (503) 227-2681 or visit <www.rosefestival.org>.