On the Scene With Melanie Carrie

Melanie Camille Michiko Carrie, the newly crowned 66th Cherry Blossom Queen, is an unusual island title holder. Her father came to Hawaii from France, she graduated from high school in Beijing and earned her college degree in Scotland. She speaks English, French, Spanish, “enough Mandarin to get around and some Swedish.”

Carrie, 24, said she took part in the pageant to learn more about the culture of her maternal grandfather. She enjoys classical music, musical theater, traveling and reading fantasy and science fiction novels.

JOHN BERGER: How did your family end up living in Beijing?

MELANIE CARRIE: My father was working for Procter & Gamble and part of his job was to go to different countries to open branches or manage branches internationally. He wanted to go to Asia because we hadn’t lived there yet so we were placed in Beijing.

JB: What is something that might surprise people who see you with your crown, sash and ceremonial scepter?

MC: I was one of two females on the boxing team at my university, and I was a kickboxing instructor all through college as well. It gives you a sense of confidence that I think is hard to find elsewhere.

JB: What do you want to accomplish during your reign?

MC: During the seven months of classes leading up to the pageant we (contestants) talked about how many different types of Japanese-American women there are, and putting that message out there. In the pageant we had an Army veteran, we had a legislative analyst, we had teachers and a whole range of people. A lot of us were unconventional Japanese-American women and I want to share that message.

JB: Was the pageant experience what you expected?

MC: I didn’t know what I was really signing up for at the beginning but I think we had a lot more cultural classes than in previous years, and we got a really knowledgeable and in-depth exposure to everything. I’m someone who is more inclined to have male friends, so to be in a group with 14 other women for a prolonged period of time was a little scary; we were all very supportive of each other.

JB: What would you like to be doing in five years?

MC: I hope that what I’m doing work-wise is something that makes me happy and something that will allow me to help other people in some way. And — ideally — maybe starting a family, or married, at least.

Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.