IndiaPost.com - Shilpa, runner up in Miss Asia USA contest

Shilpa Mamidi won the title of Miss Asia USA 2007 1st runner up. Shilpa also participated last year in Miss Showbiz India 2006 and won the title of Miss Showbiz India 1st runner up. At the same beauty pageant she also won the Most Beautiful Smile award and the Most Beautiful Hair award.

Shilpa said "Being raised and brought up with both American and Indian traditions has taught me to embrace other cultures around the world and has opened my eyes to the beauty of cultural diversity. I am able to integrate Indian values into my life as an American.

This ability to create a balance between two cultures makes me an effective role model." Shilpa's younger sister, Rachna, 17, recently graduated from Diamond Ranch High School as Class of 2007 Valedictorian. Rachna recently received Miss Teenage Califronia 2007 Scholastic Achievement Award for the highest GPA in California.

Shilpa's father, Raja Mamidi, is Vice President at a pharmaceutical company in southern California. Shilpa's mother, Swaroopa Mamidi, is a homemaker and had trained and coached her for the beauty pageants.