Tom Eng was born at the former French Hospital in Los Angeles Chinatown, delivered by Dr. Julius Sue. He grew up in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles while helping in his family’s Chinese laundry and takeout restaurant.
After graduating from UCLA with a degree in civil engineering, Tom worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. In 1984, he volunteered at the LA Olympics as a marathon course marshal, which inspired his long involvement with the LA Chinatown Firecracker Run. He later served on the committee and became Race Director in 1991.
Tom has been active with numerous community organizations, including Friends of the Chinatown Library, the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, the Chinatown Public Safety Association, OCA, MANAA, the Chinese American Museum, and CACA, serving on several boards.
A longtime supporter of the Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant, Tom has attended since 1984 and joined the chaperone team in 1991. He has photographed key court moments and traveled on twelve goodwill trips. After more than 40 years with Los Angeles County, Tom is now retired and continues managing family properties while staying active in the community.
美莉
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.
何美媚
Mamie Hong Weinberg is a lifelong resident of Chinatown who attended Castelar Elementary, Nightingale Junior High, and Belmont High School. Like most Chinatown kids, she spent a great deal of time at the Alpine Recreation Center, where she learned many forms of dance; ballet, Chinese and Polynesian were her favorites. As a teenager, she founded the Blue Heaven Dancers, a Chinese Folk Dance group based in Chinatown, coordinating the performances, choreography and costume design. She was also a member of the Asian American Ballet Company, and was later invited to join the Hwa Yi Chinese Ethnic Dance Company. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Clothing and Textiles/Fashion Merchandising from the California State University Los Angeles and subsequently worked at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for over 20 years. Mamie and her husband are proud parents of twin daughters, one of whom was the 2013 Little Queen.
Mamie has been committed to volunteer work in Chinatown for decades having been a founding member of the Friends and Alumni of Castelar Elementary School (FACES), Chinatown Resident Representative and 4th Vice President of the Historic Cultural Neighborhood Council, and a Park Advisory Board member for Alpine Recreation Center.
Mamie’s father and his family owned and operated Hong Kong Low restaurant in Chinatown, home of the infamous punk rock club, the Hong Kong Cafe. Among her father's many altruistic endeavors, he served as a President, as well as the parade chair, for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Mamie feels honored to continue with this legacy in serving the Chinatown community.
