Miss California says key to success is to 'keep trying'

In 2001, Elaine Chao became the first Chinese-American woman to join the cabinet of a US president. Eight years later, Barack Obama became the first African-American president of the United States. In 2011, Gary Locke became the first Chinese-American ambassador to China.

They are examples of members of American ethnic groups who have achieved great success. And like them, Chinese-American Crystal Lee's rise to prominence was not easy. "I did not win the first year," said Lee, who was named Miss California in 2013. "I came back and competed again. As immigrants to the United States, my grandparents and parents have taught me that the only way to make it is to keep tying."

The 22-year-old was the first runner-up in the Miss America 2014 pageant, and the second Chinese-American Miss California in the 89-year history of the pageant. Her pageant career started in 2007 at the age of 15, when she participated in the Miss Teen Chinatown competition.