Continuing my series of excerpts and “Reflections” from my memoir.
The following is from Chapter One,
“A Daughter’s Dream” and subchapter, “A Dream Come True.”

Looking at my childhood scrapbook made from an old Look magazine,
I now realize that, even as a child, I had dreamed “the impossible dream,”
which later came true.
I must have spent many happy hours making my scrapbook
and subconsciously dreaming that one day I’d wear a crown.
Wow, this is an important lesson and insight for me,
right here, right now, sixty-one years later.

This plain little Chinese girl with frizzy home perms and homemade dresses
grew up to be the Homecoming Queen at Buchtel High School.
And the summer before my senior year I was crowned Miss Akron,
in a contest sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Recalling these forgotten memories,
buried deep in my heart for over half a century,
brings tears to my eyes—
tears of joy for that little girl who wanted so much to be the All-American Girl
and make my parents proud.
This was such a motivator and touchstone for me growing up.
My parents worked so hard for my siblings and me, to give us the opportunity
to live the American Dream.

Reflection: Looking back, with the perspective of many decades, I feel proud that,
as a Chinese American girl in the fifties, in a Midwestern town,
I helped to demonstrate that it was possibleto break through any prejudicial barriers.
My victory wasn’t just for that plain little girl;
my victory was also for all Asian Americans.