June Quan, a second-year law student at USF’s School of Law, performs magic as her talent before being named queen of the Miss Chinatown USA 2011 competition.
June Quan, a second-year law student at the University of San Francisco’s School of Law, has been
named Miss Chinatown USA 2011.
Quan, who is pursuing a focus in entertainment law,
performed magic by turning paper into snow while narrating a tale about the
first time she saw snow for the talent portion of the 53-year-old contest – a
combined beauty, talent, fashion, and question-and-answer competition.
Put on by the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the
winner pockets $10,000 and other prizes, rides a float in the San Francisco
Chinese New Year Parade, and becomes a goodwill ambassador for the Chinese
community throughout the lunar year.
“Born and raised in San Francisco, I have always watched the
parade and admired the Miss Chinatown USA queen on her float but never thought
in a million years that would be me,” Quan said.
A first-time beauty pageant contestant, Quan wasn’t sure how
the experience and, ultimately, being named Miss Chinatown USA would mesh with
her legal ambitions. But, to her surprise, it has already opened doors she
hadn’t anticipated.
“In March I was invited to the Asian American Bar
Association annual banquet, where I had the pleasure of meeting many notable
lawyers and judges in the field,” Quan said.
Competing in the pageant also bolstered Quan’s confidence
with public speaking and appearances and required her to improve her time
management skills as she juggled pageant preparation and law school.
“As the new Miss Chinatown USA, I am so honored to have the
chance to represent the Chinese community across the nation,” Quan said.
“Winning the title has given me the opportunity to discover more about the Chinese
culture and a chance to embrace who I am.”
One of Quan’s main goals during her tenure as Miss Chinatown
USA is to encourage young people to give back to their communities by
volunteering and exploring Chinese culture. She also wants to be a role model
for young Chinese-American women, Quan said.
Quan, who interned for the MTV Networks’ legal department
last summer, has lined up an internship in the Lucasfilm Ltd legal department
in the Presidio starting in May. “I am working to earn a certificate in
intellectual property law at USF,” Quan said of her focus in entertainment law
and interest in working for Lucasfilm.
