Averie Bishop: Our Very Own Rose of Texas
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History made -- First Asian American woman to win the title of Miss Texas.
Averie put herself through college, earning two degrees from the prestigious Southern Methodist University, a BA with double majors in Political Science and Human Rights, and a JD law degree with a 3.9 GPA. She is a first-generation Filipino American, born to a Filipino immigrant mother, Marevi Sabalilang, and fourth-generation Texan, Danny Bishop. Her younger brother, Teddy, is in the U.S. Army.
With Mom, Marevi Sabalilang, who is also Averie's partner in community service.
Besides all the successes and encomiums that have come her way, she has humanitarian blood running in her veins. She and her mom built Tulong Foundation, providing education, livelihood, and scholarships to poor children in their native village in Banga, South Cotabato, Philippines. Their foundation has supported 45 poor students including seven full scholars in different colleges in their province. With funding from SMU and some friends, she worked to build potable water systems for the community and their elementary schools.
Averie doing community service in Banga, South Cotabato.
Her impressive credentials include serving as legal intern for the President and Vice President of SMU, addressing higher education policy in third world countries. She was a Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Fellow and Texas Women's Museum “Woman of the Year” awardee.
She was appointed by the Mayor of Dallas to their new Anti-Hate and Discrimination Advisory Council. In an impromptu interview, she said serving the community is her way of paying back, “growing up in very challenging circumstances with parents who sacrificed so much for me to become the force of nature that I am today.”
Averie recalled facing bullies and hateful language in Prosper, Texas where she grew up. “From the way I spoke, the shape of my eyes, my flat nose, my upbringing, the adverse financial condition that I grew up in, sometimes the way my mom spoke,” she recalled. “Some people say rude things because they just don’t understand what they don’t know. My mission as Miss Texas and as a person is to try to teach everyone in our state that a Texan can look like me and feel equal and welcome.”
When she was Miss Dallas, before becoming Miss Carrollton and going on to win the Miss Texas pageant, greatness was already evident in this articulate but unassuming and down-to-earth young Filipina. At our last PACC Texas Awards Night, Consul Ethel Mercado and I honored her with our Founders’ Award as “Most Outstanding Young Leader in Texas.”
In addition to her amazing intellect and stunning beauty, she is also an excellent singer and dancer. Her stirring song from “Les Miserables” won her the Most Talented award in the preliminary round. Explaining her wardrobe, she said: “I know wearing this costume is not typical wardrobe at a pageant. But my choice was a reflection of how far I’ve come in life. I am proud to have worn hand me downs, thrifted clothing, and torn up shoes as a child. To me, this costume was not a costume. It is a celebration of the rags I have shed, thanks to the village and the people who have embraced me.” The teary-eyed audience burst into applause.
Averie performs a song from “Les Miserables” during the talent competition.
Averie is looking forward to her very hectic duties as Miss Texas while preparing for the Miss America pageant in Connecticut in December. Watch out, Miss America crown. Averie is on her way to claim you!
(Watch this short clip of her powerful answer to one of the judges’ questions: “Five or ten years from now, what legacy would you hope people will remember you by?” )
Photos and video provided by Gus Mercado.
Gus Mercado is a well-known business and civic leader in Dallas, Texas. He is a recipient of the Presidential BANAAG Award for Outstanding Community Leadership, the Distinguished Service Award from the Mayor of Dallas and three-time Jaycee of the Year Awardee. (Photo credits to Mel Krater)
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