KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Recent University of Kansas graduate Juliana Diem Dan Tran of Austin, Texas, is a finalist in the Project Green Search Modeling Competition, a pageant of beauty and environmentalism.

Tran is among 10 finalists to be the winning “Green It Girl,” chosen in part by online voters, from an initial pool of more than 130 contenders. Candidates had to prove their environmental acumen with an essay on their “green” qualifications and show their dedication with volunteer hours to an environmental organization.

Juliana Diem Dan Tran

“What’s really interesting about the competition is that it will get a lot of exposure,” Tran said. “If the right girl is chosen for this, hopefully, that person can be a green ambassador and help lead the environmental movement.”

While at KU, Tran was active in KU Environs, a student environmental advocacy group, and was president her senior year. While majoring in environmental studies, she worked for wetland preservation and clean energy in Kansas. A spring 2009 graduate, she is now searching for full-time employment in the field of renewable energy.

“The core of who I am is being an environmental activist and spreading environmental awareness,” she said. “Environmentalism isn’t a trend of a fad, it’s our future.”

Tran is the daughter of Glac and Kim Tran of Southlake, Texas, and a graduate of Carroll High School, Southlake.

The contest’s winner will be announced after a week of interviews, a runway competition and other events, which are set to conclude Nov. 8. The “Green It Girl” is set to win modeling agency representation, an eco-friendly wardrobe and other prizes.

Photos, an essay and a video Tran submitted for the competition are available to view online at the competition’s site.