Salina Ellison
Hometown: Auburn, Washington
Date of Birth: June 30, 1993
Education: Pacific Lutheran University- First Year-Elementary Education; Auburn Riverside High School
Platform Issue: Human Sex Trafficking
Scholastic/Career Ambition: To receive my master’s degree in elementary education Become a kindergarten teacher
Talent: Lyrical dance-“Wild Horses”
Scholastic Honors: Musicianship Award; Lettered in orchestra all four years of high school; Top 10 in Fashion and Merchandising for Area 10 DECA
Leadership Roles: A mentor for “at risk” kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Lakewood; Ambassador of Hope for Shared Hope International; Reading tutor for Title 1 students; Spearhead/Organizer of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking fundraiser, Cheer coach for church camp
Accomplishments: Dedication to Success Scholarship from Miss Auburn Scholarship program in 2011; Placed 6th in the nation for high school ballroom dance in 2010; Co-Dance Scholarship recipient
Interesting Facts: I was a little sister twice; Performed at Benaroya Hall three times; I am the youngest in my family by 10 years and also the only girl; I am a competitive ballroom dancer
Employment: Sylvan tutor; Claires Sales Associate; Nanny for the McVie family; Barefoot ballroom dance teacher; Swim instructor at Sumner Pool
How has the world you come from shaped your dreams and aspirations? I come from a world where education and hard work a very important. My mother was from the Philippines and my father was a native of the United States. With these two different backgrounds, moving up in the world was not easy. As I was growing up, I witnessed my mom continue her schooling while still being a Para-educator, mother, and wife. I saw how hard she worked, how stressed she got, but I also saw the importance of it. My parents are now able to provide for my brothers and I whenever we need it. Now that I am in college, I keep in mind the struggle my mom and dad had to make in order for us all to have a good life; and it really makes me certain that the key to happiness and success is with a good education and a good family to support you whenever you need them.
Of all the ways you could succeed in your life, why have you chosen to succeed in the Miss Auburn Pageant? When I was young, I was a Little Sister and I saw how poised, beautiful, and smart the contestants of the Miss America Program were; and from then on, I decided I wanted to be one of them. The Miss America Program is a fantastic organization that provides multiple ways for young women to succeed in life. They hand out thousands of dollars in scholarships, provide you wonderful interview skills, and connections that can aid you in different avenues of life. Therefore, I find in the perfect organization to represent. I would be happy to say that I was one of those poised, beautiful, smart contestants of the Miss America program and that I was able to inspire young girls like myself to eventually compete in this program.
What social issue, other than your platform, will have the greatest impact on your generation and why? The one issue I believe impacts my generation the most is peer pressure. Whether it is the pressure to fit in, to be skinny, to go out and party, etc. It is there and it affects everyone. The power of peer pressure is inconceivable and very dangerous. I have witnessed peer pressure change many young teenagers lives for the worst and it is an issue we must stand up against. We need to continue teaching our generation that there is nothing wrong with being different and that they need to embrace their individuality!
[back to contestants]
|
