It was an evening of “timeless beauty” Thursday at the Miss Asia pageant when a new Miss Asia was crowned.

This year’s title went to Hyzel Futotana, with first and second runner-ups Monique Caspillan and Gladys Sanchez.

“When they called my name, I didn’t know what to do. I had to register for a second that I had actually won,” Futotana said, “I had a lot of fun.”

The fourth annual event, organized by Alpha Phi Gamma, was in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium of the Holmes Student Center, and had a crowd of about 150 people.

Admission was free, and the event sought to raise awareness of the Asian-American community at NIU.

“There was a Latina pageant and an African-American pageant, so we decided to start doing this four years ago to enhance knowledge for people about Asian-American women,” said Stella Mae Fuentes, president of Alpha Phi Gamma and a junior double major in English and political science.

Throughout the event, each contestant appeared in casual, cultural and formal apparel, and performed talents ranging from cultural dances to musical performance to kickboxing and Muay Thai boxing.

Contestants also participated in a question-and-answer session, explaining why they deserved the title and what they would do for the Asian-American community.

Despite the show’s theme of “timeless beauty,” the contestants were not judged on their physical beauty, but what they carried within them in terms of presentation, sense of attire, talent and poise.

The winner was awarded a $250 scholarship along with a variety of gift cards and coupons.

The reception was favorable as cheers and shrieks of support filled the auditorium.

“I thought it was amazing, very well put-together. Wai-Mon [another contestant] definitely did amazing too, I thought she was the best,” said Alison Mercer Curtis, freshman double major in philosophy and English.

“I thought the show was entertaining. I liked the singing,” said Alan Smith, freshman undecided.