|
by Stephanie Struyck Elgin
She graced the cover of the December 1999 issue of The Magazine of Santa Clarita as the Cutest Kid cover winner, and it’s no surprise that over 13 years later, she still is making her mark in the world of beauty.
Miss Kelsie Leach is currently a senior at William S. Hart High School. She is a Varsity cheerleader for the Indians and recently represented the Santa Clarita Valley in a competition at Miss USA’s Teen California pageant, held in Palm Desert at the beautiful McCallum Theatre. She was awarded the Top Honor in swimsuit, presented by Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella. Kelsie was one of 125 girls competing in the Teen division.
No stranger to the crown, Kelsie held the Regional title of Miss Teen Santa Clarita Valley 2010-2011 under the Miss SCV Scholarship Program, reigned as Community Queen Miss Teen Newhall for two consecutive years prior to her Regional title, and currently holds the title of Santa Clarita’s Miss Teen Superior Queen as a result of her outstanding 1,000 hours of community service. Santa Clarita Mayor, Laurie Ender, recently gave Kelsie special recognition for her commitment and dedication. “Mayor Ender was so sweet and generous with her compliments as she awarded me with a letter of appreciation for my hours of service to the City,” states Kelsie. “I felt so proud standing there with her in front of the cameras, wearing my crown and sash, both of us representing our City!”
Some of the events Kelsie has been a part of are Violence Victims, American Cancer Society, MDA, Circle of Hope, Michael Hoefflin Foundation, Relay For Life, SCV Boys & Girls Club, Special Olympics, and Soroptimist International of SCV. “I’ve enjoyed every event and thank my Director, Ms. Mardi, for instilling in me the spirit and joy of making a difference by serving others,” states Kelsie.
“Kelsie is such a role model,” states Ms. Mardi. “She was just turning 13 when she began our program and it’s so amazing to see her grab every opportunity that has come her way. She has influenced so many people to do better, and she is an absolutely flawless role model. She has an incredibly supportive family, and her efforts are worthwhile.”
Since 1977, Ms. Mardi Rivetti, director of the Miss SCV Scholarship Program, has trained young women for the performing arts. She was the founding director of the Miss Santa Clarita Valley, Miss America Organization in 1998. “I have dedicated my entire career to teaching girls and young women etiquette, dance, fitness, pageantry, modeling (print, runway, nutrition, life skills, personal grooming, speech, self-esteem)…I’m proud to say many people have developed successful lives and careers from my schools.”
The Miss SCV Scholarship Program is a community service based program serving young girls and women for the past 33 years. “You’ll see representatives of the Miss SCV Program at all fundraisers in our community helping to make a difference,” states Ms. Mardi. The Miss SCV Scholarship Program is an opportunity to serve your community as a role model for young women, personal development opportunity and experience. Each representative works as a team player with other Miss SCV representative as well as leaders in our community.
On June 16, Kelsie, along with many other Santa Clarita girls will be vying for the crown at the SCV Scholarship Pageant, which will take place at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center. There will be a $5,000 scholarship awarded to the next Miss Santa Clarita Valley and a $2,500 for the next Miss Teen Santa Clarita Valley.
“There is still so much ahead, and I’m looking forward to every opportunity I’m given,” states Kelsie. “I believe anything is achievable as long as you put your mind to it.”
For more information on the Miss SCV Scholarship Pageant, visit www.missscvpageants.com.
|
|
