Tibetan-American woman honored at international pageant

Tenzin Deki

A Tibetan-American student has placed third in the Miss Photogenic competition at the 2003 Miss Tourism World contest in Venezuela, RFA�s Tibetan service reports. Tenzin Deki was a runner-up in last year�s Miss Tibet contest in Dharamsala, India.

�There were participants from 59 countries but not from China,� Tenzin Deki, said in an interview. �We were taken for local tours during the day and trained in dancing and walking for the competition�I didn�t win any prizes but I placed third in the Miss Photogenic category.�

Tenzin Deki, lives in Denver, Colorado and studies metallurgical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Her entrance into the Miss Tourism World competition marks the third time a Tibetan woman has taken part in an international beauty contest.

Tsering Yankyi, winner of the 2003 Miss Tibet contest, couldn�t obtain travel documents in time to attend the contest in Valencia, Venezuela, Tibetan sources said.

Tenzen Deki�s mother, Tsering Choedon, said she and her husband strongly supported their daughter�s desire to take part.

�We thought she would meet new people and see new places�and above all, she would represent Tibet. Since it is very important for parents to support their children, my husband and I worked hard for her to go.�

The Miss Tourism World 2003 contest concluded Dec. 20, with Miss Romania, Alina Ciorogariu, taking the top honor. The competition is based in Britain.