By Olivia Harrison
Correspondent
The College’s Asian American Association hosted its annual PAA Bae Pageant, featuring seven contestants from AAA, Korean Students Association/Kohesion, Chinese Students Association/Dragonflies, Japanese Students Association, Barkada, Indian Student Association and the Vietnamese Students Association.
The contestants included freshman graphic design major Caleb Chung, sophomore biology major Tyler Jones, freshman political science major Lyna Chachine, sophomore biology major Likitha Thiriveedi, senior computer science major Mohammed Islam, freshman electrical engineering major Katrina Alcalde and freshman international studies major Amila Zheng.
Contestants got to showcase their talents, cultural wear and reflect on their identities as Asian-Americans. In addition, participants were also raising money for a charity of their choice. Notable charities included the PUSO Foundation, TELL Japan and Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
“My first year experience has been so amazing and I’m grateful to have this opportunity,” said Zheng. “I wanted to participate, represent VSA and share cultural connections with others.”
The evening was filled with a vibrant tapestry of cultural expression, showcasing the diverse talents of the College’s Pan Asian Alliance community. From playing the piano, traditional Vietnamese, Chinese and Indian dances, a Thai vocal performance and a modern twist on Tinikling, contestants lit up the room and captivated everyone present.
“I think it’s cool to see everything and all the cultures together in a short period. It’s really immersive,” said freshman biology major and audience member Jesse Yu.
“All the contestants were so amazing. I met so many talented people. What I did the entire time was hype people up. I was so glad that everyone was supporting each other,” said Alcalde.
There were many standout performances of the night, including stunning vocal performances by Chung and Jones and traditional classical Indian choreography by Thiriveedi.
However, the night's standout was when contestants were asked pageant-style personal questions about their identity and what it meant to be Asian-American. It allowed students to be vulnerable and reflect on their cultural experiences inside and outside the College.
For example, when asked who their most significant role model was, many contestants said their parents and family members.
“We live in a time with so much toxic masculinity but I’m grateful to my dad for teaching me that it’s okay to say ‘I love you,’” Islam said to the crowd. “He taught me that strength isn’t silence but rather being there for others. I truly believe that I won the lottery with my dad.”
Another overarching theme explored by contestants was finding their place in the world, especially within the Pan-Asian Alliance. Contestants and audiences cited that PAA felt like “a family” to them, made up of their closest friends and biggest supporters. For many, PAA is a place where students have found themselves fitting in both emotionally and culturally.
“I like the environment and the people. It’s always a good time at PAA Bae. PAA Bae shows the importance of the community we have [at the College],” said alum Navdeep Khiara ‘24.
The question and answer session was filled with authenticity, and the shared experiences resonated across the room, no matter the cultural background of the participants and audience.
Thiriveedi of ISA took home the crown at the night's end, with AAA passing the duty of hosting the pageant to the Indian Students Association. This was only the second year a contestant from ISA has won in the three years they have been considered a part of PAA Bae.
“It feels very surreal. I was very happy I got to perform in front of my friends. I think PAA is a great way for people to show their cultures and talents,” said Thiriveedi.
Beyond the entertainment, this year's PAA Bae was a powerful reminder of the importance of how strong the College’s AAPI community is. Freshman special early childhood education and history major Sophia Kim, one of the night's emcees, cited that all the PAA organizations need to come together.
“I think it’s nice for the other PAA orgs to come together. It’s important being together as a community, especially at TCNJ since there is not a lot of representation,” said Kim.
PAA Bae was more than just a charity event; it was a celebration of culture, talent and community. It was a night that left attendees and participants feeling inspired and happy, knowing that they had contributed to a good cause while also supporting the College’s AAPI community.
