Junior Miss contestants
in spotlight
WHENEVER I run a list of names in my column, like today, some of my more cynical newsroom associates kiddingly ask whether it's a ruse to fill space. No, it's not a bad case of lethargy.
It's an undeniable dose of blatant optimism and pride in the people of this state.
For example, this past weekend, I was honored to judge (for the second time in three years) the annual Hawaii's Junior Miss Scholarship Program.
How privileged to meet 27 bright and beaming senior girls from Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island, who participated in five phases of competition -- scholarship, talent, poise, fitness and personal interview.
They were all winners:
January May Andaya of Sacred Hearts Academy, daughter of Rogie and Carmelita Andaya.
Christalyne Miro Campbell of Radford High, daughter of Christopher and Elisea Campbell.
Brianna Rose Kaualani Christianson of Iolani, daughter of Dennis E. and Marijcke K. Christianson.
Marcella Rose Clark of Sacred Hearts Academy, daughter of Michael D. and Bernice Ramos Clark.
Chenoah Lin Couvillion of Kahuku High, daughter of Charles Couvillion and Andrea Mehio.
Lee Anne Masako Cox of Kauai High, daughter of Thomas and Christine Cox.
Adrienne Mei Lin Fong of Iolani, daughter of Dale S.N. and Linda L. Fong.
Gerona Raziel Garcia of Campbell High, daughter of Alejandro and Sonia Garcia.
Jessica Lynn Hargarten of Radford High, daughter of Donald Lee and Denise Aileen Hargarten.
Kerensa Kendall Iraha of Iolani, daughter of Michael M. and Jocelyn Iraha.
Young Mi Kim of Moanalua High, daughter of Suk Cha Kim and Chong Mun Kim.
Tracey Lynn Kubota of Pearl City High, daughter of Pamela Kubota.
Ruth Faioso Leau of Iolani, daughter of Nomani Saipele Leau and Roselie Diane Leau.
Annie Lee of Waiakea High, daughter of Eun Suk Lee.
Charlyn Lei Leonardo of Waipahu High, daughter of William and Merly Leonardo.
Colleen W. Liu of Iolani, daughter of Dr. Francis and Debbie Liu.
Janilee Ann-Marie Mariano of Farrington High, daughter of Fernandico Bumanglag and Maria Balon Mariano.
Jessie A. Miyasato of St. Andrew's Priory, daughter of Bert and Jacque McCann Miyasato.
Diana Ngoc-Yen Nguyen of Farrington High, daughter of Lam Duc and Thuong Thi Nguyen.
Nikki Nguyet Thi Nguyen of Farrington High, daughter of Xuan and Chac Thi Le Nguyen.
Lelani Lynn Tafua of Radford High, daughter of Randolph Tafolo and Kim Elaine Tafua.
Jessica Patti Michiko Toyama of Moanalua High, daughter of Earl M.T. and Julia T. Toyama.
Liann I. Unebasami of Mid-Pacific Institute, daughter of Lloyd I. Unebasami and Mary Ann K.H. Lee.
Marisa Foo Wahl of Iolani, daughter of Dr. Wendell K.S. and Susan Foo Wahl.
Anna Pauline Weaver of Sacred Hearts Academy, daughter of Michael and Cecelia Weaver.
Britany Mei Sai Wong of St. Andrew's Priory, daughter of Sonny and Jenny Wong.
And Hawaii's 2001 Junior Miss:
Natalie Naomi Young of Kamehameha, daughter of Newton K. and Tammy K. Young.
Their names, and the identities of the proud adults who helped make them so great, deserve recognition.
Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
dchang@starbulletin.com, or by fax at 523-7863.
