Elisha Sparks chosen state finalist in American Miss Pageant

Elisha-Sparks-in-the-lead, Elisha Sparks chosen state finalist in American Miss Pageant, Culture Currents With a last name like Sparks, Elisha Jacqueline Shanai Sparks was destined to be an explosion of vitality on the stage. As a San Francisco native, Sparks has been surrounded by an eclectic array of professionals in various creative arts industries.

Her mother, Ebony Sparks, is a published author, journalist and CEO of a music public relations company specializing in independent artists and grassroots organizations. As a toddler, Elisha was enthralled with soaking up all there was to know about music, fashion and television. Elisha began print modeling at the age of 2 and then later, stomping the runways at age 6, she made her first runway presentation with Nordstrom’s Children’s Department for their spring season preview. She also was trained in ballet, Afro-Caribbean and Hip-Hop dance as a part of her pre-elementary school curriculum.

Sparks, 8, is now in the second grade at Claire Lilienthal Elementary School, where she is learning Korean as part of their Korean immersion curriculum. While gaining academic prowess – she ranks top in her class intellectually – she’s fostering her creative growth with the school’s music, dance, visual arts and musical theater focus with Arts in Residence program.

Elisha is an outgoing yet humble, well-liked child with a sense of self assuredness that outweighs that of many people twice her age. She exhibits her athleticism as a cheerleader for the Pop Warner League, for Seahawk and now Brown Bombers. In her spare time, Elisha enjoys watching movies, singing and entertaining her family, usually in the company of her two younger brothers. She loves to listen to pop music, where she looks at artists such as Willow Smith, Justin Bieber and Beyonce’ to shape her drive to perform musically when she becomes older.

Pageant finalist

Now Elisha has been chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss California Pageant to be held on July 28-31, at the Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Parkway in Santa Clara. The pageants are held for girls 4-18 and have five different age divisions. Elisha will be participating in the Junior Pre-Teen Division.

The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the national pageant, where she will receive an exciting complimentary tour of Hollywood and two VIP tickets to Disneyland.

All activities and competitions are age appropriate. Girls under the age of 12 are not allowed to wear make-up, and there is no swimsuit competition. The pageant program is based on inner beauty as well as poise and presentation, infused with the spirit of fun and friends. Emphasis is on the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for her future.

Families interested in learning more about this unique and outstanding youth program may visit http://www.namiss.com/. For information on how you can sponsor Elisha, please contact Ebony Sparks at (415) 410-9133 or colbert.ebony@gmail.com.