Brandy Ngo - Faces of South
South’s Hospitality Management student Brandy Ngo has never thought of herself as an outgoing person.
“I’m usually a really shy person. But ever since I started in this program, I have really blossomed,” Ngo explained. “The program made me feel more confident – sometimes you just need to go for it and don’t hold back!”
Students in the Hospitality Management Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program will learn and explore management, marketing and human resource positions in all facets of the hospitality field, including tourism, hotel operations, restaurant management, catering, cruise ships operations, casino operations and travel. The program is unique in that it is the only public bachelor level program in hospitality management on the west side of Washington State.
As a member of the President’s Honor Roll, not only has Ngo gained confidence in the classroom she has also made a splash outside the world of academics. Shedding her introverted spirit, Ngo confidently entered the Miss Viet Nam Continent competition. This contest is for men and women who are from Vietnam or of Vietnamese descent and is held annually in the United States. In only her second contest, Ngo won the coveted crown as Miss Viet Nam Continents 2015.
As the winner, Ngo received a BMW, but you won’t find the car in South’s parking lot. Instead, she had it sold and is donating the proceeds to charity.
Ngo spent most of her summer traveling to Vietnam fulfilling her obligatory promotional appearances and outreach work.
For Ngo, the importance was not in winning the title but the difference she could make as Miss Viet Nam Continent.
“The title wasn’t important to me; it was what I could do with the title to help other people that was more important,” she explained. “The title is a vehicle for me to do a lot of charity work and an opportunity to give back.”
Ngo’s travels took her from Saigon to the far reaches of the northern portion of the country. Along the way, Ngo visited orphanages full of small children and that experience left an indelible mark.
“It was very emotional,” she said. “There were dozens of children with only a few care takers. It was very sad. It made me appreciate all of the gifts that I have and the relationship that I have with my parents.”
Likewise, Ngo touched many of those that she met during her travels. During her trip, Ngo provided food and necessities for everyday living such as noodles, oil, rice, sanitizers, and other goods.
South’s Hospitality Management instructor Hana Gala has also seen that in her class.
“She is very smart, she is proactive and she has great ideas,” Gala said.
A business-minded student, Ngo is very familiar with the hospitality industry. Her parents own the famous Tho Tuong Bbq in Tacoma, which has become a Vietnamese staple for 18 years. Since the age of five, Brandy has been helping her parents working in the restaurant and still tries to help out as often as she can.
“I enjoy being around customers and helping them out,” Ngo explained.
On the cusp of earning her bachelor’s degree, Ngo is in her final academic year at South and is taking a full plate with 21 credits this quarter. Next, Ngo has her eyes set on earning a master’s degree, leaving behind her “shy” personality.
“South’s Hospitality Management program has helped me grow; I’ve become a different person,” Ngo said. “I’ve blossomed into a much more positive person. I’m more talkative in class and I’m always involved in every subject.”
She continued, “(Our instructors) Hana Gala and David Krull are not only teachers, but they’re like family. They always guide you when you are lost; they’re the backbone of all the successful students in the BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science) program. The positive vibe they bring with them in class every day motivates each one of us.”
If you would like to learn more information about South’s Hospitality Management BAS program, click here.