|
A model citizen: Modeling fun for Duncan's Elyssa Whaley
Nov 20, 2008 (The Duncan Banner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
About a year after moving in with her stepfather on a permanent basis, 18-year-old Elyssa Whaley of Duncan has found a passion that has brought her and her stepfather, Charles Jeffrey, closer together and has given her hope for the future.
Whaley discovered modeling. She has always loved the arts, but it was modeling that captured her imagination.
"It's amazing to paint, but it's 10 times better to be a part of the actual artwork," Whaley said. "But it can be overwhelming at times."
Later this month, she will head to Dallas to be one of 450 selected individuals from around the country to meet those looking for young talent.
It wasn't until about six months after she moved in with Jeffrey, whom she affectionately refers to as her father, that she discovered her passion, practically by accident.
Abigail Smith, a local photographer and longtime friend of Whaley's, was doing a photography shoot with someone else. In an impromptu moment, Smith convinced Whaley to pose. She was skeptical at first, but eventually acquiesced to the request.
"Once I looked at the results, I was shocked," Whaley said. "I thought it was so cool. I love that picture. It gave me confidence to go forward."
Before she found her passion, Jeffrey gently guided her to find a path in life.
"Children and teenagers go through tough times," Jeffrey said. "They need to have a vision of themselves doing something they like. They need to cling to that dream regardless of what the nay-sayers tell them."
Jeffrey purchased "The Secret" and watched it with her. He bought her books written by Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar. He helped her get into the EDGE Academy, which was more suited for her needs. She is graduating from EDGE this year.
Whaley is grateful for all that Jeffrey has done for her.
"My dad is my biggest fan," she said. "He's helped me so much. If it wasn't for him, I couldn't do this. He's my only support system."
Even Smith has seen the effect of Jeffrey on her friend.
"He's amazing," Smith said. "I'm so glad she has him."
Both Jeffrey and Whaley do most everything together. He goes with her to all her photography shoots with a new photographer to make sure everything is as planned. She loves helping him in his work, which currently includes remodeling a home next to Lake Humphreys.
Since Whaley discovered her modeling passion, Jeffrey has helped guide her along a similar path to what he followed when he was younger. He was a musician in Las Vegas.
The first order of business was to purchase a book on scams in the modeling industry.
"My background is in the entertainment industry," he said. "I've been there and done that."
Jeffrey then found a school for Whaley to attend on a weekly basis in Oklahoma City that gives future models the tools necessary to become successful.
"They helped her feel more confidant and helped her overcome some self-consciousness," he said. "Clinging to one's dream may not take one where they thought it would take them, but it will take them somewhere. That is better than doing nothing."
Now that Whaley is on the path of pursuing her dream, Jeffrey is grateful for all that has transpired.
"Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy," he said.
"Whatever you think or don't think you are, you're right. Before, she wasn't given a positive opportunity to try out her passions, now she is pursuing her dream. I'm really proud of her."
Whaley has modeled for multiple photographers and sought to move beyond the amateur stage. Just two months ago, she was a semifinalist in the Fashion!Dallas/Kim Dawson Model Search. She is uncertain how far her modeling career will take her, but she knows she wants to enter college and possibly pursue a graphics arts degree.
"I love art, especially modeling and acting," she said.
"I love meeting new people and photographers. I've learned that I just need to keep trying. Sometimes, you think that no one will find you, but you've just got to persevere."
To see more of The Duncan Banner, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.duncanbanner.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Duncan Banner, Okla.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email
tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax
to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave.,
Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
[ Back To it.tmcnet.com's Homepage ]
|