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We are very saddened by
the recent Tsunami catastrophe in the south Asia region and we have tried to do our best to help by donating financially through several charity
organizations. However, just like after 911, “life must go on,” and the Taiwanese American Outreach Association
(TAOA), a Maryland registered non-profit organization, has a series
of community services/activities planned that will be carried out in 2005. One
of the most immediate activities is the Taiwanese American Friendship Ambassador (TAFA) Project, which will be associated
with several other upcoming TAOA activities.
In order to promote Taiwanese/Taiwanese
American (TA) identity and visibility, Taiwan’s
democracy, and U.S.--Taiwan friendship
in mainstream America, TAOA is sponsoring the
TAFA Project to search for the 2005 TAFA in the 100-mile radius of Washington,
DC area. This TAFA Project
is also co-sponsored by several Taiwanese/TA young professional, undergraduate and graduate student associations, etc.
A TAFA candidate must
be female, single, 18 to 35 years old, residing within approximately a 100-mile radius of D.C., and of Taiwan origin
(or her parents must bee of Taiwan origin). Please see the attached TAFA Pageant Rules and the TAFA Candidate Registration Form for details. Interested individuals are asked to register by TAFA_Pageant@yahoo.com, no later then February 15, 2005.
There are no fees for registration and participation in the TAFA Pageant.
Depending on the number
of registered candidates, the award for the TAFA Finalist can be as high as $1,000, in addition to a ribbon, and a crown (however,
the crown is TAOA’s property and must be returned to TAOA during 2006 TAFA Pageant Night); 1st Runner-up
receives $500; 2nd runner-up receives $250; and the remaining semi-finalists receive $100 each (please see attached
TAFA Rules, Award section). After a preliminary screening, 5 to 6 semi-finalists
will be notified and announced publicly on/by February 19, 2005.
The TAFA Pageant Night will be held on March 12 (Saturday), 2005. The location
and directions of the TAFA Pageant Night will be announced later.
Each TAFA semi-finalist
will perform a 3-to 5- minute talent segment, a 2-minute public address, and a question-answer session at the TAFA Pageant
Night. A five- (5-) judge panel will evaluate and score each candidate’s performance and the personal attributes (including
poise, friendliness, etc.);extra points from the audiences’ “popularity” rankings will also help to determine
the finalist, 1st and 2nd runners-up. The readers of this
announcement are welcome to bring their family and friends to the TAFA Pageant Night, free admission for everyone.
The first assignment of
the TAFA will be to serve as the “Parade Queen” of the TAOA Unit in the 2005 National Cherry Blossom Festival
Parade in D.C. on April 9 (Saturday), 2005; the 1st and 2nd runners-up and the 4th to 6th
place semi-finalists will hold the TAOA banner, flags, and lead the TAOA Parade Unit. Further assignments may include other
potential TA activities, such as acting as the “Parade Queen” of the TAOA Unit in the 2005 National Independence
Day Parade on July 4th, 2005 (if TAOA participates in), and other TAOA activities, and/or helping out with TAOA
Volunteer Group community service projects, etc. Please see TAFA Rules and the
TAFA Registration Form.
If you have any questions,
please contact
David Huang (黃春林) at david_huang@comcast.net (301-963-8753);
Fu-Ching Yang (楊富晴) at fyang@mail.umd.edu (301-794-8966);
Joyce Yu (余南澄) at joyceyu123@hotmail.com (301-226-0518);
Crystal Chen (陳貞如) at cc398@law.georgetown.edu (202-557-4664); and
Ching-San Huang (黃慶三) at cshuang2@yahoo.com (301-217-9384).
Thank you.
Ching-San Huang
President, TAOA
