Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Nguyen.
Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I have lived in Florida and was raised by two incredibly hard-working Vietnamese immigrant parents. Growing up in The Villages, FL, a large retirement community, has undoubtedly shaped me into the person I am today, and I am grateful for all the experiences I’ve had. However, growing up as the only Asian girl in my entire grade from pre-K to high school, I knew I wanted to explore my culture more in college. Joining a sisterhood of Asian women through Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, I was empowered by the women around me and inspired to immerse myself in my Vietnamese roots. Encouraged by Lesley Banh and Phoebe Wright, Queen and 2nd Princess of the Miss Vietnam Florida 2023 Royal Court, I stepped out of my comfort zone and competed in the 2024 Miss Vietnam Florida Pageant. My pageant journey was filled with many doubts. Still, through it all, I have found a network of reliable, trustworthy, and inspirational sisters who consistently motivate and empower me to strive for excellence. Through this endeavor, I am excited and honored to represent the Vietnamese community as Miss Vietnam Florida 2024 while forming enduring connections with Vietnamese communities across Florida.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
As with any path, there will always be hardships, forks in the road, and feelings of defeat. Rejection has been a challenging but necessary lesson I’ve learned as I navigated life. Finding a balance between the intersections of my Vietnamese and American identities has also defined how I see my place and purpose in my community. My grit is a guiding force throughout my struggles–a characteristic that distinguishes individuals through challenges. Grit represents a steadfast commitment and shines most brightly in difficult times. In the face of denials, rejections, and failure, I pride myself on regrouping, planning new trajectories, and leveraging my rejections as redirections. Being of service to others also reminds me of the importance of humility. I continually push myself to see the bigger picture and my ultimate goals. It is these traits that I hope to exemplify and use to influence those around me positively.
Thanks for sharing that. Can you tell us more about your work next?
The title of Miss Vietnam Florida represents more than a mere symbolic role; it serves as a call to action, a beacon of hope, and a testament to the Vietnamese struggle and triumph. Miss Vietnam Florida, as a pageant, stands as a unifying force for the youth, bringing together young women to honor their cultural heritage through traditional attire and championing individual philanthropic endeavors to enhance both the Vietnamese and broader communities. In contrast to the prevalent lack of inclusivity within the pageant scene, Miss Vietnam Florida is a commendable exception, actively promoting the advancement of Vietnamese American women. Despite years of racial inequality in the Vietnamese community, Miss Vietnam Florida has persisted since 1997, and this resilience resonates deeply within me. It makes me proud to be a Vietnamese woman and have the opportunity to participate in an event that encapsulates cultural richness. The 2024 Royal Court has appeared at UF, UCF, and various cultural festivals around Orlando, such as Celebrate Lunar and Avalon Spring Fest. Every month, we help a nonprofit organization spread volunteerism in our community. For March, we baked treats at Ronald Mcdonald House of Central Florida, and for April, we will be volunteering at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. We also hosted a Bake Sale benefitting an orphanage for blind people in Vietnam, and our 3rd Princess Christina Phan personally delivered the funds. Throughout my reign, I hope my Royal Court and I continue to spread awareness and collaboration through our appearances and strengthen our Vietnamese community.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Luck is an integral aspect of Vietnamese culture and can be seen through traditions and beliefs passed down through generations. During Lunar New Year, or Tết as it is referred to in Vietnamese, we continue traditions to bring us luck into the New Year. The colors red and yellow make joint appearances during Tet festivities as they represent prosperity, good fortune, and health. It is often considered lucky to wear these colors during Tet, especially in Vietnamese traditional wear called Áo Dài. My family has primarily established luck’s role in my life, and I believe it connects me to my cultural roots. However, I also recognize that luck can only take you so far; luck can bring you unforeseen opportunities, but the actions and hard work you put forth truly define your circumstances. I am continually inspired by the Vietnamese community, built by honest and hard-working individuals who were making a new life for themselves. A Vietnamese phrase that I’ve learned is “Có chí làm quan có gan làm giàu” meaning, in short, that fortune favors the brave. Good luck and prosperity can come if you are willing to take the first step and have unstoppable ambition.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://missvietnamflorida.com/
- Instagram: @missvietnamflorida
- Facebook: @missvietnamflorida
- Youtube: @missvietnamflorida
Image Credits
Jenna Taylor, Pham Portraits
