El Dorado youth gets exclusive invitation to National American Miss
EL DORADO — Sevenyear-old Genesis Gray had privately thought about competing in pageants, but she never had until an invitation unexpectedly arrived in the mail last month.
The honor roll student who just wrapped up first grade at Yocum elementary school will be traveling to Bentonville later this month to represent El Dorado in the National American Miss — Arkansas pageant.
Her mother, Agneshia Gray, said the pageant is an open-call, invitation-only affair, and though she was surprised to learn that Genesis had been selected as a possible candidate for the NAM pageant, she is excited about the new opportunity for her daughter.
“We don’t know how she was chosen. She’s never done pageants or anything like this,” Agneshia said.
“We had never heard of National American Miss. They sent the paperwork in the mail. It shocked me that it was sent in my maiden name, ‘Edmondson’, and I haven’t gone by that name since 2008,” she continued.
According to the invitation, NAM seeks candidates “who enjoy modeling, acting and learning stage techniques that will empower and enable (them) to accomplish future goals.”
The NAM website said the program is dedicated to encouraging future leaders in America by equipping them with life skills and helping them gain poise, self-confidence and valuable communication skills.
Agneshia said she spoke to Genesis about the pageant invitation, and when her daughter expressed a strong interest in participating, the family accepted the invite and later traveled to Little Rock for a scheduled interview.
“It gave us a chance to find out more about the program and how it could help my daughter with future goals,” Agneshia explained. “They interviewed her to see if she had the right personality to be in a pageant.”
She did.
Three days later, the family was notified that Genesis had been selected as a state finalist for National American Miss - Arkansas. Genesis was called back to Little Rock on May 7 to take part in a “pageant prep” session.
“They taught her things like how to stand on stage, and she got to meet Miss Arkansas (Savannah Skidmore),” Agneshia said.
One component that Agneshia said she likes about the NAM program is that participants under the age of 12 are not permitted to wear makeup while competing.
“That’s right. You just be yourself,” Genesis chimed in.
The youngster said she is looking forward to the pageant, which is set for June 30 — July 2 in the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Bentonville. She will compete in the Miss Arkansas Jr. PreTeen category for ages 7, 8 and 9.
To help raise money for the trip, Agneshia, Genesis’s father Donald Gray and other family members have organized fundraisers, including bake sales and car washes, and they are planning more.
Sponsorships from the community are also welcome.
“This is an opportunity not just for her, but for other children because, now, she can recommend other children, 4 — 19, as candidates for National American Miss,” said grandmother Jackie Finley.
“If you want to recommend a child, just let us know, and we can submit a name, and she (Genesis) can win a prize for that too,” Finley said.
Though the mystery remains of how Genesis was placed on the radar of the National American Miss program, Finley, like Agneshia, said she is grateful for the opportunity that has been afforded to her granddaughter — and where it could lead.
“We thank God for opening doors that nobody else can shut. The doors are open and we’re going to walk through,” Finley said.
For little Genesis, thoughts that were once privately held have now been opened up to other possibilities.
“What I would like to do in the future is modeling, acting and one day, I’m going to be Miss America,” she said confidently.
To help sponsor Genesis Gray in the National American Miss — Arkansas pageant or to recommend a candidate, call 870-444-4386 or 870-866-0511.