Hollister
– A local first grader is living proof that anyone can follow
their dreams, no matter who they are or what obstacles they
face.
Hollister – A local first grader is living proof that anyone can follow their dreams, no matter who they are or what obstacles they face.
Seven-year-old Mia Ventimiglia, who suffers from progressive hearing loss, has been selected as state finalist in the Miss California American Sweetheart Pageant, where she will be competing for a chance to represent San Benito County at the national level in the fall.
“She’s grown up with two brothers and we’re this really active, outdoorsy family,” said her mother, Debbie Ventimiglia. “So we wanted this to be a fun, feminine thing for her that would also help her gain some poise and confidence.”
Mia was recommended for the pageant anonymously and, when she was invited to submit an application to compete, expressed interest in the idea. Despite recent controversy over child pageants across the nation, after extensive research her mother was comfortable enough with the company to help her daughter apply.
“I think that this pageant is focusing more on academics and inner beauty, which is really important to us,” said Ventimiglia.
After submitting her application, Mia was selected as one of 30 girls in northern California to compete at the pageant this July in San Jose. She will participate in an interview and a formal attire show with other contests aged 7 to 9 and, if she wins, will receive $1,000, her crown and sash and money to travel to Florida to compete in the national show in November. Mia said that she would like to use the prize money, should she win, to buy a swimming pool.
“You know she gets so many compliments on how pretty she is,” said her father, Anthony. “So we just had to give it a shot.”
But Mia doesn’t need a crown to prove that she’s a special girl. Partly because of her hearing loss, she is fascinated with sign language and for a time partnered up with teenagers in the American Sign Language program at San Benito High School for lessons. She is rehearsing and hopes to sign the song “America the Beautiful” at the state pageant this summer.
Despite her disability, Mia says she “loves” going to Ladd Lane Elementary School and gets along well with her peers.
“Sometimes they’ll (other students) ask ‘what’s that blue thing in your ear?'” she said. “I just tell him it’s a hearing aid… they don’t care after they know what it is.”
Mia is also a hip-hop dance student at Cloud Nine Dance Studio and is particularly fond of the cartoon show “Spongebob Squarepants.” She plans on one day going to medical school and becoming a doctor.
“I want to fix people,” she said. “I like helping them.”
Anyone interested in helping sponsor Mia is asked to call 801-9072.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
ds****@fr***********.com
.
