The winners and runners-up of the annual Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant, organized by Richmond-based Fairchild Television, were chosen at a gala performance at the River Rock Show Theatre Thursday night.
Isabella Zhai, 23, was chosen as the winner of the 29th Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant and will go on to represent Vancouver at the Miss Chinese International Pageant next year.
Zhai graduated from Simon Fraser University's faculty of education, according to the organizer.
Tracy Chung and Annie Zhang were first and second runners-up.
Eight women, mostly in their early 20s, were chosen earlier this fall as finalists. They underwent three months of training in areas including public speaking, catwalk, dance and stage performance.
"We look at how they present themselves, what their aspirations are, what their dreams are and things like that,” said Vivien Louie, a spokesperson for Fairchild TV, in a November interview with the Richmond News.
“The winners will also be involved in [local] community events including fundraising galas, golf tournaments and volunteer work. We arrange volunteer work for them right after the pageant until the next contestants come up.”
The competition is open to applicants aged 17 to 27.
The finale will be broadcast on Fairchild TV1 at 9 p.m. on Dec. 3.