Spark Spotlight
Jessika Malic
Miss Asia Arizona 2007
Words: Amanda Gonzalez
Photos: Bruce Talbot
Elegant gowns, racy swimsuits, big hair, and makeup, ridiculously high heels – all things we think of when we hear "beauty pageant." Yet, there are many other aspects to the competitive pageant world. Take 24-year-old Jessika Malic, for example, who reigns supreme as Miss Asia Arizona 2007.
While most crown-seekers have been competing in pageants most of their lives, Jessika began just over three years ago in 2004.
She entered Miss Asia Arizona in 2005 but did not place. Her determination went into overdrive and she competed the following year and won the crown.
As Miss Asia Arizona, Jessika hopes to "get the word out about cultural diversity. People still seem to not fully understand Asian culture because it's so foreign – no pun intended. I also want to help encourage young Asian women to find their uniqueness and inner beauty, to have more confidence in themselves and not get lost in the crowd."
The youngest of four, Jessika, her two older brothers and sister were all born in the Philippines and emigrated to the United States. She is very family-oriented saying that her mother is the most influential person in her life because she is so strong and independent. "My father lost his battle with colon cancer four years ago. For her to be able to hold us all together without my father around iss really something," she said.
Jessika used the Miss Asia Arizona pageant as a vehicle to speak out about colon cancer awareness, which was her platform for the competition.
Jessika is also a student at both Phoenix College and Rio Salado Community College. After receiving her associates degree this spring, she is considering studying broadcast journalism at ASU. She has also been working in customer service with US Airways for over a year but admits her ultimate dream is to host her own talk show or star in a television sitcom. The goal of the Miss Asia Arizona pageant is to showcase young Asian women in a high-quality production that will best represent their Asian culture, beauty, intelligence and talent.
For more info: www.missasiaarizona.com
Jessika Malic feature article provided by Spark Magazine.
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