Five men and four women competed for the titles of Mr. and Ms. Asian Penn State last night as part of the university's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Pageant Coordinators William Cheng and Lin Chuong started the event by asking each candidate about prior leadership experiences and future efforts to improve Asian life at the university.

After the first round of questions, the candidates reappeared for a second round in eveningwear.

Each answered one question on topics ranging from the Asian community's role at Penn State to international relations between Eastern and Western nations.

The winners of this year's pageant were Michael Wong (junior-business logistics and international business) and Grace Chiou (junior-marketing). The runners up were Bon Heng (sophomore-business administration) and Jamelah Tangara (sophomore-health and human development).

The panel of judges based their decisions on the candidates' responses to the questions and essays they wrote beforehand. The winners were awarded a semester of free books from The Student Bookstore, 330 E. College Ave.

Chiou introduced herself as the women's coordinator for the Asian American Christian Fellowship and a teaching assistant for an intermediate Chinese course. Her experience in mentoring a Pakistani student new to the university changed her perception of what it means to be Asian, she said.

Chiou encouraged future community service through increased participation by Asian Pacific American (APA) students in charity events such as Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Creating greater awareness of the APA community at Penn State was another goal of Chiou's.

Wong is a member of Lambda Phi Epsilon, a service fraternity. He also promoted service through events such as Thon and the AIDS Walk. As the vice president of service for his fraternity, he worked to expand its participation in these areas, he said.

The organization has been recognized as an outstanding greek organization in the past two years. Sponsoring more service events is part of Wong's plan to "break down the barriers" between different communities within Penn State.

In the second round of questions, Chiou was asked what she felt the largest issue for the APA community was and what she would do to address it.

The resentment within the Korean community over the unsolved disappearance of Cindy Song is the largest issue currently facing the APA students, Chiou said.

"I feel we can continue in making the community more aware and fighting with more passion to find her," she said.

Wong was asked what he thought the most important qualities of Mr. Asian Penn State should be.

Wong replied that Mr. Asian Penn State should be dedicated to changing Penn State and the Asian community for the better.

A good leader is vocal, is involved and takes a stand against the status quo if he sees something wrong with it, he said.

Lambda Phi Epsilon and alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority founded Mr. and Ms. Asian Penn State in 1996. The event is held to unify the APA community and honor successful members within it, Lambda Phi Epsilon President Yoshi Chinone said.

Two a cappella groups performed between the rounds of questioning, and a fashion show exhibiting the traditional dress of various Asian cultures also took place.