Here's wishing you a lifetime of memories as you've made Hawai'i a very proud state. Your big moment at winning will be a memory for us for a longtime, too. Good luck and keep that great personality you have. Hawaii Loves you.
Stella Uehara
Joy to hear news
Aloha Angela,
While I was in Japan, I heard the wonderful news that you had won. I was so excited for you. I am so happy that you did Hawai'i and your family proud. I have still yet to see the videotape since I was gone in another country. The last time our Miss Hawai'i won (Carolyn) I was in Seattle dancing hula . . . this time I was in Japan at another hula concert. What a joy to hear of the news while in Japan. I wish for you a wonderful year and am so happy that your talent went so well - it was a pleasure working with you.
Michael Casupang
Leaving an impact
(Miss American is) a woman with character and beauty. God has some awesome women in his kingdom. I pray that she will meet the International Church of Christ in Hawaii and be a part of their ministry. She can do so much for Hawai'i in terms of spirituality and Christianity and be a role model for women. I love when these things happen. I pray that God will use her powerfully and leave an impact on the islands.
Regards
Rodney Forslund
Smart is beautiful
Aloha, Angela!
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It was a breathtaking experience to watch you walk the Atlantic runway!
I felt a healthy dose of Hawai'i pride as you flashed that signature "shaka." My Miss America Achievement sisters from the East Coast were in the audience, cheering you on. And although I could not join them I felt their joy as they celebrated your win.
May your reign this year be a symbol to all that "Smart is Beautiful." It is the mantra of Miss America Achievement and the philosophy which we hope will build and empower people of all races. There is no better way to build character, than to teach tolerance and understanding of all ethnicities and cultures! May your platform help our nation to embrace the diversity which brought our forefathers to these shores.
Congratulations on your win...we're so proud of you and know that you will be a gleaming representative of "the aloha spirit" throughout the millennium! May you live my mantra, now and always...."Imagine your dreams. Visualize your success. Inspire others to do the same!"
With much aloha,
Pauwilo Look
Ms. US International Beauty 2000
Mrs. Asia Pacific Universal Achievement 2001
Executive Director, Miss Hawai`i Achievement Program
L.A. residents send congratulations
Congrats to Angela Perez Baraquio!
We just moved to L.A. and were really missing the Hawaiian Islands and the local people. Angela showed up on TV and reminded us of Hawai'i's beauty and
uniqueness. She truly confirmed what we've always known in our hearts - Hawai'i's people are the bestest! Congratulations again for stepping out and being yourself.
Mike and Julie Ohara
Wonderful role model
Only having caught the last hour or so of the pageant, of what we saw of Angela, it was clear to see that she definitely was the most genuinely beautiful from inside out!! Even my mother in Michigan said over the telephone "the second I saw her, I thought 'if she doesn't win, something's wrong'" -- so she knew as well that Angela was truly a winner! She will be the perfect "Ambassadress of Aloha;" so lucky we are in Hawai'i to have her spread the good word of our great state!
Congratulations, Angela! We're so proud of you--not only for winning Miss America, but also for just being who you are! What a wonderful role model you are for our youth!
With warmest aloha,
Renae, Jeff, Paris & Jack Bell
God's gift to Hawai'i
To: Miss America, Angela Perez Baraquio
The State of Hawaii is again thrilled and very excited to have one of her own capture a much coveted title, that of Miss America. What a fantastic reality! It makes one wonder at how awesome God's blessings are to these beautiful islands. With so many diverse ethnic groups living together in harmony, the beauty of the islands and its people, makes ones heart leap with joy, wanting to say out loud "thank you God" for these many wonderful gifts you have given us!
Miss Baraquio, you are God's gift to Hawai'i! You have made us all proud of you, because you have displayed to the world what the spirit of "aloha" means, with your graceful dancing and the humility you showed.
Our warmest ALOHA and MABUHAY goes to you and to your family.
Tony Balayan
'Ewa Beach, HI
Cheering and tears in Southern California
Aloha Angela:
I'm originally from Kohala and have been living in Southern California for the past 23 years. Fortunately, I've been able to return every summer with my family and we do love Hawaii.
Last Saturday night I was switching channels between your Miss America contest and the UH Football game which unfortunately, were on at the same time. Your hula presentation was magnificent and brought tears to my eyes. When you made it to the final five contestants, I stopped watching the football game. When you were in the final two, I kept saying to myself, "Donny, please say 1st Runnerup, Miss Louisiana" over and over again until he finally said those words. I let out a big cheer and tears once again came to my eyes. I was so proud of you, your family and the state of Hawai'i.
In the last 48 hours some wonderful things have happened for the people of Hawai'i -- you were crowned Miss America, UH won their first football game of the season and Benny Agbayani and his N.Y. Mets won the National League Championship and will be in the World Series.
I stayed up past midnight last night to watch you on the David Letterman show and you presented yourself very well. I was so happy to see you wearing a lei and I hope you continue that as often as you can to remind the people that you come in contact with of where you come from and it will also certainly make all of us from Hawai'i so proud to have you representing us.
Thank you, Angela, for making us so proud and for the inspiration you will be for others.
Aloha from a fellow P.E. Major
Andy & Marcia Oshita
Ventura, California
A Texas yell for Angela
You go GIRL!!! You did a great job in representing Hawai'i nei. You make all of Hawaii and it's connections feel so proud of who we truly are. I felt that you were very true to heart and showed every one the kind of ALOHA you can only get it Hawai'i. Though I have never met you, you should have heard me screaming at the top of my lungs when they announced the winner. I guess being away from home (in Texas) too long made me go crazy that night. I wonder if anybody in Hawai'i could hear me yelling!!! My very best to you in whatever you may do and have a wonderful 2001.
Aloha,
Kathy Tokunaga
Bet on Miss Hawai'i to win
I would just like to wish the best to the new Miss America, Angela Perez Baraquio. Although a couple of my friends were picking Miss California or Miss Kentucky, I put my bet down on you. Gotta support da 'ohana.
Congratulations and best wishes in the year to come and the rest of you life.
Way to go!
Much aloha,
Grant Kodama
Helping to teach people about Hawai'i
When I saw Angela Perez Baraquio chosen as one of the Top 10, I was so happy. I looked at the rest, but I could just see myself in her, as a Hawaiian.
When she was chosen as one of the Top 5, I already knew. When a reporter asked about her being the first Asian-American Miss America, she said "I'm from Hawai'i, and we're colorblind," all I could say was, "thank you."
Colorblind isn't saying to forget we are people of color. It is to say that we should be looked as first as human beings, and respect us for our diversity, and not limit us because of it. She made be proud to be Hawaiian and from Hawai'i, and hopefully she will teach people across the nation and the world about the Hawaiian style of living. She has much respect from me. And good looking to boot. :)
p.e.a.c.e.
John Book
Pasco, Washington (originally from Pauoa Valley)
Greetings from Nebraska
Angela: Congratulations and best wishes! You surely must have heard the screaming and yelling coming from the direction of the State of Nebraska.
We watched the competition on Saturday night and we celebrated with you and the rest of the proud people of OUR home, Hawai'i. We feel that the judges knew what they were doing when selected you, a beautiful, sincere, intelligent, young Asian-American woman, for the honor of representing our island home and your country the USA. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!! Good luck, best wishes and god bless you and your family.
Lee Laquihon
Offutt Air Force Base
Nebraska (Originally, Aiea HI)
Actions speaks volumes
Angela,
My son, Micah, is a first-grader at HFCA and proudly boasts of his P.E. teacher Miss Baraquio as the new Miss America! While a picture may be worth a thousand words, your actions have spoken volumes to your students.
As a parent, I truly appreciate and congratulate your personal achievements and role modeling for our children - our future. Best wishes and enjoy your newest adventure.
