Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant

Cindy was born and raised in Los Angeles.  She has many fond memories growing up near Chinatown where she would make weekly family trips to the markets and restaurants there. Businesses and streets were crowded and bustling which gave Chinatown its own vibrant energy.

Later in her teen years, Cindy moved to Orange County to attend the University of California, Irvine where she earned a B.A. in Social Ecology with a Specialization in Criminal Justice & Legal Studies.  Cindy also served as Director of College Legal Clinic at UCI and managed all operations of providing free legal consultation to faculty and students.  She also interned at a law firm and private investigation company, but ultimately turned her attention to Human Resources & Personnel Management.  As an Unemployment Insurance Administrator investigating and contesting unemployment claims, Cindy had a 93% win ratio resulting in significant tax savings for her clients.

In the spirit of giving back to her alma mater and reinforcing the power of higher education, Cindy and her husband, Greg, started a scholarship endowment for business students at UCI.  They are proud to support exceptional students with the opportunity to overcome financial insecurities and step into their potential as academic leaders.

Currently, Cindy is enjoying family time with her husband, 2 daughters, and their elderly dog.  She is also a tennis enthusiast and plays competitively on 2 teams, one of which she captains.  Cindy is also a big supporter of the Michael & Amber Chang Foundation.  She is in a unique position to not only be a player participant in the annual charity tennis tournament, but also as an event sponsor and planning committee volunteer for several years.

Cindy is looking forward to making the upcoming rehearsals and pageant experience immensely enriching and memorable for the contestants.  She was both Miss Photogenic and Miss LA Chinatown Queen in 1994.

Ashley Thompson has a rich and diverse heritage that she proudly embraces. Her mother immigrated from Hong Kong to the United States as an infant, and her father has both Caucasian and Hispanic backgrounds. Ashley grew up in Los Angeles’ Chinatown, where she was deeply connected to her cultural roots and immersed in her Chinese heritage. She attended Castelar Elementary School and spent countless hours at the local Alpine Recreation Center, where she played basketball, learned classical piano, and enjoyed time with friends. Ashley was fortunate to work at both Alpine and Castelar, allowing her to give back to the very community that raised her, all while balancing her college studies.

Today, Ashley brings her expertise to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, working as a Building Mechanical Inspector. She applies her extensive knowledge of codes to residential construction projects throughout Los Angeles, ensuring safety and quality for the city’s residents.

A proud wife and mother to her son, Ashley’s passion for community engagement extends well beyond her professional life. She believes in the importance of remembering one’s roots and always giving back. Ashley began volunteering at age 13 at Alpine Rec Center, working with the youth in the summer camp program. She remains active in several volunteer initiatives in Chinatown. She currently serves as a board member for Precision Health Center, an accessible and affordable health clinic. She is also on the planning committee for the LA Firecracker Run, a distinguished event promoting health, community, and culture through its run/walk/bike activities.

In 2019, Ashley was crowned Miss Los Angeles Chinatown 3rd Princess, following in the footsteps of her aunt, who earned the same title in 1996. This experience connected her with an inspiring sisterhood of like-minded women, and she hopes to encourage other young women to join the MLAC community and make a positive impact in the LA Chinatown that has shaped her.