Promo Video Of Angela Perez Baraquio

"Miss America 2001"   

On October 14, 2000, Hawaii-born Filipina, Angela Perez Baraquio, made history as the first Asian-American and teacher ever to be crowned Miss America in the prestigious Scholarship Program’s 80-year existence.  Today, she remains the only Asian woman to hold the title.  As Miss America 2001, Angela traveled more than 20,000 miles a month on a national speaking tour promoting “Character in the Classroom:  Teaching Values, Valuing Teachers.”  Her year of service allowed her to meet with students, teachers, legislators, governors, organizations, and thought leaders across the country.

Angela has had the honor of meeting U.S. President George W. Bush, and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, each on three occasions, as a representative of both the education and Asian community at large.

Angela’s message of hope and inspiration reached wider audiences through media campaigns such as USA Today’s “Make A Difference Day,” and the “5 Minutes with Miss America Tour.”  She has appeared on shows such as “Good Morning America,” “Late Night with David Letterman,” and “Hollywood Squares.”  At the completion of her year, she co-hosted on live broadcast to millions at the 2002 Miss America Pageant with actor Tony Danza.

With the aid of the $51,000 scholarship grants earned through the Miss America Organization, she completed her Master's degree in Educational Administration at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in December 2004 and paid off her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

The former K-3 Physical Educator/Athletic Director now resides in Anaheim, CA, continuing her commitment to schools across America, as a motivational speaker.  In 2001, she founded the Angela Perez Baraquio Education Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization in Hawaii, which celebrates and supports students and teachers who exemplify character in their communities. Recently, Angela returned to her first love: teaching.

From 2002-2005 Angela was the spokesperson for First Hawaiian Bank, a community-minded financial institution with branches in Hawaii, Saipan and Guam.  She was seen in various PSA television campaigns for both the Hawaii Foodbank and Catholic Charities.  She is the recipient of the 2003 “Women Helping Women” Award from the Soroptomist International Club.  Her award-winning inspirational story of achieving dreams is published in "Chicken Soup From the Soul of Hawaii.”   She now joins her sister, Bernadette, as a contributing producer, writer, and host of the Hawaii-based television series, “Living Local with the Baraquios.”

Angela is married to high school sweetheart and musician, Tinifuloa Grey.  The couple has 2 sons and owns Isle Entertainment.  The company hosts a weekly Sunday Aloha Brunch, which provides Polynesian entertainment at the Hotel Menage in Anaheim, CA.

SPEECH TOPICS

-Pro-Life "Whole Life" issues
-Suicide prevention (my personal story about my own brother's death in Nov. 2006--see www.baraquio.com for full story)  FYI, my family and I also recorded a tribute CD to my brother on an album, "Lost and Found".  My husband and I co-write a song, which we sang together on the album called, "Living For You" released in November 2007.
-I enjoy speaking about character education in classrooms and communities
-teacher/education issues, my speaking tour was "Character in the Classroom: Teaching Values, Valuing Teachers"
-Many Asian groups ask me to speak about what it was like growing up as an Asian American in Hawaii.  Lots of Filipino groups hire me to speak about being the first and only Asian Miss America (pageants are HUGE in the Philippines)
-My main speech is called, "Experiencing Celebrity from a Catholic Perspective", which incorporates various messages mentioned above.
-Most speeches revolve around my personal story, (how a PE teacher became Miss America), and I usually get to testify to my Catholic faith in audiences where it is appropriate.
-working and speaking with young adults, especially young women (teenage and college-aged students)
- women's issues and self-esteem

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