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The atrium of the Community School of Excellence in St. Paul was buzzing on the last Friday morning of the year, as students, faculty, and parents anticipated the arrival of Payengxa Lor, Miss Universe Laos, as part of her U.S. tour.
Payengxa, who will represent Laos in the 71st Miss Universe competition on January 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is ethnically Hmong and has garnered global support from the Hmong diaspora.
Kazoua Kong-Thao, the school’s chief administrative officer, instructed students and parents on what to do when Payengxa walked in. Students dressed in traditional Hmong garb flanked the entryway to welcome her.
Miss Hmong Minnesota, Leeanna Lauj (Lor), and the two runner-ups, Nkauj Mog Yaj (Yang) and Nkauj See Thoj (Thao), in their sashes and tiaras, also awaited Payengxa.
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