More than 50 pairs of eyes zeroed in on Min Cha's feet as she walked across the HUB-Heritage Hall stage last night at the Mr. and Ms. Asian Pacific American (APA) Penn State Pageant last night.
Though she was not crowned Ms. APA Penn State, those in attendance will not only remember Cha (senior-biobehavioral health) as one of the contestants, but as she was introduced last night -- as a student who has the smallest shoe size an adult can have, which is a size three.
Cha was one of seven students who competed in the pageant, sponsored by alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority and Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity. The contest was a way to show the community the organization's involvement at Penn State and within the Asian community, Kamna Gupta, a member of alpha Kappa Delta Phi, said.
"We're trying to promote Asian awareness within the community and show that we're more than greek life," she said.
The event was also supposed to highlight students' accomplishments in the Asian community at Penn State.
"There's a lot of outstanding students in our community and we want to recognize those few individuals who go above and beyond," Sandra Chin, a member of alpha Kappa Delta Phi, said.
Gupta added that since the entire Penn State community was invited, it was a good way for others to listen to views different than their own.
"People are able to talk and show what they believe and what they can change, and since a lot of people [went], they're able to hear about different views," she said.
The pageant consisted of three rounds -- two questions and sandwiched in between the questions were favorite hobbies, which allowed the contestants to dress up to portray their interests.
During the favorite hobbies portion of the pageant, Cha wore a yellow cheerleading outfit and even performed a cheer for the audience, ending it with "Go Penn State!" Another contestant, Ferdinand Lee Castillo (junior-finance) strutted onstage in a traditional Philippine outfit, complete with a spear and loincloth over gym shorts, though his outfit did not include a shirt.
"I apologize to everyone in the first row," he said, to giggles and whoops from the crowd.
Eventually, Kevan Desai (senior-finance and economics) and Anna Rungfarsangaroon (junior-law and criminal justice) were crowned Mr. and Ms. APA.
When asked how he felt about winning, Desai said he was "speechless."
"All of my contributions have paid off, and I want to make sure I can continue that in the future," he said. "It's everyone in the Asian-American community that makes us who we are."
Rungfarsangaroon, who donned an olive-green cultural costume for the favorite hobbies portion of the pageant, said she was going out to celebrate her newly crowned title.
"It feels great," she said. "I can continue to give back to the Asian-American community and keep doing what I've been doing."
Attendees of the pageant were treated to Subway sandwiches and refreshments during intermission, and had a few raffle prizes to look forward to throughout the evening.
Prizes included Subway and Back Yard Burger gift certificates.
Leslie Wei (sophomore-economics) said her favorite part of the pageant was watching friends compete.
"I really like it," she said. "I think it's a pretty good cause and it brings people together from other organizations."
