2001

Angela Perez Baraquio is the first Asian American and the first teacher to become Miss America. Angela took her "classroom" across the country, educating the nation about the need for building character in our schools and in our homes. She traveled approximately 20,000 miles a month on her national speaking tour entitled, "Character in the Classroom: Teaching Values, Valuing Teachers," challenging educators, parents and students to make character education an integral part of their school's every day culture and curriculum.

During her year, she met twice with President Bush to discuss issues concerning education. In 2003, Angela and her husband were invited back to the White House to attend a State Dinner with President Bush and the First Lady, honoring Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Angela actively supported an amendment to President Bush's H.R.1 Education Bill, written by Congressmen Wamp and Etheridge, urging the President and Congress to support an increase in funding for character education initiatives from $8 million to $50 million per year. She addressed legislators, governments, schools and members of the community, inviting them to take the initiative in lighting the way for a brighter tomorrow for our country and all Americans.

Angie was the spokesperson for First Hawaiian Bank from 2002-2005, and was a Host/Writer/Producer on a statewide TV show in Hawaii, "Living Local with the Baraquios", which won 7 Telly Awards at the 2007 28th Annual Telly Awards. Currently, Angie continues to speak and travel nationally. She was appointed by President Bush, in June 2006, to be a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, and is the Founder of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Angela Perez Baraquio Education Foundation, which promotes character education and provides scholarships and grants for students and teachers.

Angie utilized her Miss America scholarship money to pay off her Bachelor's degree student loans, and earn her Master's Degree in Educational Administration at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. In June 2002, Angie married her high school sweetheart, Tinifuloa ("Tini") Grey. The couple has 2 sons: Isaiah and Micah. Angie and her husband started their own Polynesian entertainment company in California, called, Isle Entertainment, Inc.

For appearance requests, please contact Ana Grey at anagrey@hotmail.com.
Please visit Angie's websites at:
www.angelaperezbaraquio.com
www.isleentertainment.com
www.apbef.org
www.livinglocal.tv

What She's Doing Now

In addition to building the Angela Perez Baraquio Education Foundation, Angie is signed as talent with IMG Broadcasting, and is working with a literary agent in releasing her first book, an inspirational memoir. Angie and her husband also started a Polynesian entertaiment company called Isle Entertainment, Inc.