I would like to address Toni Hoffman's response to the recent Mr. and Ms. Asian Pacific American Penn State pageant last Thursday evening ("Contests show divide within PSU's campus," April 12). I can understand your concern for racism on campus, and sympathize with your frustration at the division between student groups. However, I believe the reason this contest exists is actually to tackle issues such as racial division, Asian awareness and the breaking down of many misconceptions about Asian Americans on campus.

Mr. and Ms. Asian Penn State have the duty of building a bridge between the Asian Pacific American community and the Penn State community, as they are very much vital to each other. Although it is a difficult task to take on, I am sure that the selected representatives -- Nelson Lo and Usha Nair -- will be successful at taking the necessary steps to fulfill all of their duties. At the pageant itself, the candidates addressed issues, such as common stereotypes of Asian Americans -- especially the one that Asians are "too exclusive." To solve this issue and spread diversity education would require a great deal more than one giant multi-racial pageant; instead, every race -- including Caucasians and Asians -- must be willing to create small bonds throughout the entire Penn State community. Education about Asian Americans goes beyond culture awareness to personal interaction.

Finally, I'd like to point out that each Asian-American organization (Asian greek sororities and fraternities, Vietnamese Student Organization, Penn State Filipino Association, Asian American Christian Fellowship, etc.) is "Asian-interest" in nature. Therefore, anyone with even a small interest in Asian culture is welcomed and encouraged to explore. Taking advantage of such an opportunity is what makes for real diversity education.