PSU's Thuy Huyen competing for the title of Ms. America

Thuy Huyen (pronounced Twee Who-win), a PSU accounting technician, was named Ms. Oregon earlier this year and is one of the top contenders to win the Ms. America pageant in September, based on online voting by members of the public.

Ms. America is not to be confused with Miss America or Miss USA. It’s for women 26 and older, and there are no restrictions on marital status. They can be married, divorced, widowed or single. There is no bathing suit competition or talent competition. Titleholders are expected to work toward a cause during their reign. 

Huyen and her family fled Vietnam in 1979, endured harrowing danger on the high seas as Vietnamese “boat people,” and experienced poverty as new immigrants to the United States. Her family survived the tough times, and her parents went on to be successful in business. 

Huyen says if she wins the title she will use it to work toward the cause of easing world poverty. For an in-depth profile, see a recent article about her in Street Roots.