Mr. Hong Kong winner chooses school over contract

ELKO -- An Elko High School graduate turned Mr. Hong Kong is choosing education over fame.

Michael Tsu, who attended the University of Nevada, Reno, was crowned Mr. Hong Kong 2008 earlier this month in front of a television studio audience packed with 700 screaming women.

After winning the competition, Tsu, 23, decided to turn down a contract with Hong Kong television station TVB, a cruise and other prizes to return to college at Brigham Young University and finish his degree in finance.

"There was a chance to become famous, but it would be better to have a degree and then attempt to become famous rather than not have anything to fall back on in the future," he said. "Even actors and movie stars should get an education and know a little more about life."

The contest, organized by the station, began with as many as 300 applicants in Los Angeles before the field was narrowed to 12, including Tsu, whose parents live in Elko.

The competition included swimsuit, debate, acting, dancing and martial arts portions.