Angela Perez Baraquio Grey (born June 1, 1976),[2] known professionally by her birth name of Angela Perez Baraquio,[3] is an American educator. She was crowned Miss America 2001 on October 14, 2000, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, becoming the first Asian American, first Filipino American, and first teacher ever to win the pageant.

Angela Perez Baraquio Grey
Born
Angela Perez Baraquio

(1976-06-01) June 1, 1976 (age 48)
Other namesAngela Perez Baraquio Grey
Alma materUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Occupation(s)Educator, media personality, dancer, musician, business owner
Known forFirst Asian American and Filipino American Miss America
TitleMiss Hawaii 2000
Miss America 2001
TermOctober 14, 2000 – September 22, 2001
PredecessorHeather French
SuccessorKatie Harman
Spouse
Tinifuloa Grey
(m. 2002)
[1]
Children4
Websiteangelaperezbaraquio.com

A politically conservative, anti-abortion Catholic, Baraquio has been publicly active in supporting various Republican politicians and in speaking out against abortion. She is also an educator whose platform as Miss America was character education. Since 2004, Baraquio has co-hosted the Hawaiian television show Living Local with the Baraquios.

Early life and education

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She is the eighth of ten children (sixth of seven girls) born to an immigrant couple from Pangasinan, Philippines. One of her sisters is Hawaiian media personality Bernadette Baraquio Hamada whose husband is Hawaiian conservative talk radio show host and columnist, Rick Hamada.

Baraquio graduated from Moanalua High School in June 1994 magna cum laude. After graduation, she attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where she graduated in May 1999 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education with an emphasis on speech.

Baraquio earned her master's degree in educational administration from the University of Hawaii in December 2004. During her year as Miss America in 2001, Baraquio's platform was character education.

Pageant participation

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Baraquio was Miss Hawaii 2000. Subsequently, she was crowned Miss America 2001 on October 14, 2000, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, becoming the first Asian American,[4] first Filipino American,[5] and first teacher ever to win the pageant.[6]

She helped host the Miss America 2002 pageant.

She has appeared as a panelist on MTV's Pageant School: Becoming Miss America and on the conservative talk show, Hannity, of the Fox News Channel.

Career

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From August 1999 to June 2000, Baraquio was a faculty member at Holy Family Catholic Academy in the Salt Lake subdivision of Honolulu. She taught physical education, was athletic director and coached basketball, volleyball and track. Baraquio was also choir director of the historic St. Augustine Church in Waikiki.

In 2015 Baraquio was appointed principal of St. Anthony of Padua School in Gardena, California.[7]

Baraquio has worked as a celebrity spokesperson for First Hawaiian Bank, First Hawaiian Center, and the Four Seasons hotel in Hawaii.[8] Baraquio and her family live in Anaheim, California.[9]

Political views and activity

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In 2001, Baraquio participated as Miss America in the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., and was acknowledged by President George W. Bush in his remarks. Bush said, "Angela, it's wonderful to see you again. Thank you for your testimony and your beauty and your grace."[10] In June 2006, President Bush appointed Baraquio to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, where she served until November 2008.[11][12]

In 2003, Baraquio hosted a series of television shows for Governor Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii), called Talk Story with Your Administration, showcasing activities and individuals of the Lingle Administration.[13]

She was one of Senator Sam Brownback's (R-Kansas) earliest and most prominent supporters in the 2008 Republican presidential primary season. She formally joined the Brownback campaign December 14, 2006,[14] and served on his presidential exploratory committee, where her main task was promoting the conservative Kansas senator in her native Hawaii.[15][16] She said she was drawn to the senator's strong opposition to abortion.[15] Baraquio said, "As a Catholic, I am proud to support this wonderful man who believes in the sanctity of every human life."[15] On January 20, 2007, Baraquio introduced Brownback at his presidential campaign kick-off event in Kansas.[17][18] In her remarks, Baraquio said Brownback "is a man we can trust to take our values to the White House."[17] Brownback withdrew from the presidential race on October 19, 2007, before any primary contests.[19]

Baraquio remains active in speaking out against abortion.[citation needed] CMG Booking an agency which specializes in booking prominent conservative Catholics for public speaking engagements, books Baraquio for events. On her page on CMG's website, Baraquio lists "Pro-life issues" among her speaking topics.[20]

Media appearances

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References

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  1. ^ Former Miss America, Gardena educator Angela Perez Baraquio releases book
  2. ^ "Angela Perez Baraquio". TV Buzer. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  3. ^ "Official website". Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  4. ^ Alumit, Noel (November 19, 2013). "The First Asian American Miss America Responds to the Hate". Huffington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  5. ^ Castante, Agnes (December 6, 2014). "First Filipino-American Miss America releases memoir". Asian Journal. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
    Frank, Sarah (January 2005). Filipinos in America. Lerner Publications. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8225-4873-7.
  6. ^ "Angela Perez Baraquio Shares Her Story Of Becoming First Asian-American To Win Miss America In 2001". KCAL. Los Angeles. November 28, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  7. ^ "Former Fil-Am Miss America appointed principal of South Bay Catholic school | News". News. Archived from the original on 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
  8. ^ "Isle Entertainment". Archived from the original on 2009-07-22.
  9. ^ Irving, Doug (2008-03-28). "Miss America dedicates music to her brother Big Al". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on 14 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  10. ^ Bush, George W. (May 3, 2001). "Remarks at a National Day of Prayer Reception". The American Presidency Project. University of California Santa Barbara. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  11. ^ Resume Archived August 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine at her official website
  12. ^ Scott, Sandy (June 16, 2006). "President Bush Taps Jean Case to Lead Civic Participation Council". NationalService.gov (Press release). Corporation for National & Community Service. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  13. ^ "Governor's E-Newsletter" (PDF). Hawaii.gov. Governor's Office of Hawaii. April 12–18, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
  14. ^ "Key People-Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)". Democracy in Action. George Washington University. October 23, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  15. ^ a b c Mooney, Alexander (December 15, 2006). "A former Miss America among Brownback's newest supporters". CNN.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  16. ^ "Potential '08 GOP Candidate Brownback Recruits Fmr. Miss America To Serve On Exploratory Committee". Huffington Post. December 14, 2006.
  17. ^ a b Rothschild, Scott (January 21, 2007). "The race for '08: Sam Brownback makes it official". Lawrence Journal-World. Topeka, Kansas. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  18. ^ "Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) Announces His Presidential Campaign". Democracy in Action. George Washington University. January 20, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  19. ^ "Election Center 2008: Candidates". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  20. ^ "Angela Perez Baraquio". CMGBooking.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss America
2001
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Candes Gentry
Miss Hawaii
2000
Succeeded by
Billie Takaki