Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, April 16, 2012
(BLOOMFIELD) - An invitation in the mail may have given a Bloomfield Elementary School student a start in what she has always wanted to do.
Kayla Vandeventer, 10, said she has always wanted to be a model or a fashion designer.
Sabrina Westfall, of the Greene County Daily World reports, when an invitation for the National American Miss open call came in the mail, she told her mom, Jennifer, she wanted to give it a try.
Vandeventer and her mother went to the Monroe County Library, her parents were told about the National American Miss Program and participants were pulled aside and asked questions.
"They asked me what I do at school. I like playing with my friends, and playing sports like basketball and softball," Vandeventer said.
Just a few days after the open call, Vandeventer received a phone call telling her she would be participating in the state finals.
She had to submit an application which asked questions about her academic standing and any extracurricular or volunteering activities.
"She has good grades. She has always been on the A, B honor roll. She is playing basketball for the first time this year and is in her third year of softball," Jennifer said.
Vandeventer went to Indianapolis for a short training session and also had a photo shoot.
"They showed me how I have to stand and walk. And they showed me pretty feet!" Vandeventer explained.
She said she was nervous during the photo shoot because there were people watching her, but she had fun posing for the camera.
"Once you start doing it (the poses) you want to go back and do more," Vandeventer added.
In June, Vandeventer will have a personal interview with the judges, as well as take part in swimwear and evening gown competitions.
"I really want to be a model when I grow up, so this is just a little start," Vandeventer said.
If she is the winner in her age group, she will go to compete in the national competition in California. In addition, she will receive two passes to Disneyland and a tour of Hollywood.
She also has a chance to win a scholarship.
"I am really excited about it, but a little nervous," Vandeventer said.
Jennifer said she is supporting her daughter in the National American Miss competition because she hopes to help with her daughter being shy.
"She is shy, so I hope it will boost her self-confidence, and teach her communication skills," Jennifer Vandeventer said.
Vandeventer said her friends are always wishing her luck and asking for updates on her next step in the competition.
"We have got to wait until June for the pageant. And we get to stay in a hotel. That's the best part," Vandeventer added.
National American Miss has peaked her interest in pageantry, so she and her mother have started looking into other possible pageants for the future.
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