RENSSELAER FALLS -- A Rensselaer Falls teen has been chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss New York pageant.

“The pageant is not a typical beauty pageant,” said Heather Wainwright, Elaina’s mother. “They score on the girl’s ability to speak publicly and how they carry themselves. They look beyond the physical to the beauty within the girl.”

Elaina is looking for sponsors to help with the cost of the trip and entry fees.

“NAM encourages the girls to fundraise and obtain sponsors as part of the process; this helps the girls learn responsibility and to have a sense of accomplishment when they reach their goal,” Mrs. Wainwright said.

Any amount sponsored is welcome, and any individual or business that sponsors her will have their name in the program at the state pageant.

Elaina was scheduled to travel to Syracuse this month for a pageant prep session and then she will attend the state pageant in Rochester Aug. 27-29.

The pageant is for girls ages 4-18, and there are five age divisions. Elaina will participate in the teenage division.

If Elaina wins, she will take home $1,000, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the National Pageant in California where she would receive a complimentary tour of Hollywood and two V.I.P. tickets to Disneyland.

Elaina’s activities include dance at Julie’s Dance Studio, reading, playing softball, Girl Scouts, and helping at Heather’s Daycare. She also enjoys writing stories and making videos.