Appearances

Meet Emilyn Justine Leiva, Miss Teen US Continental 2006 - Singer, actor, dancer and performer.  Born in Wayne, New Jersey in the fall of 1990; she has been singing and dancing since the age of two.  Her ballet classes began at age three, and at a very early age, performed with a bohemian ballet company at City Center in New York City, in “The Nutcracker”. She was recognized with a “Superior” rating as a soloist at age ten, by the Florida Voice Association and has continued to achieve this rating in subsequent years.  This year she was inducted into the International Thespian Honor Society and performed a Musical Theatre vignette “In My Own Little Corner” from the Musical “Cinderella”, at the Florida State Competition.  Emilyn also sings in her church choir, and is currently in the highly selective Honors Girl’s Ensemble in her school, she has had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City with this award-winning choir. 

While holding the title of Miss Florida Jr. Teen and Miss Florida Teen, Emilyn has promoted her cause against Child Abuse, and the doors have opened for her to sing at many different places; for example, a very thrilling performance at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, in festivals and events throughout Miami, such as The Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and local churches. Her desire for singing has been mentored by Christian singer and song songwriter Dani Driggs.  Aside from planning to become a pediatric surgeon and attending Princeton University, she also plans to continue expanding her career in the performing arts and some day hopes to record a full length CD.  Currently, she is featured in “Buscando Estrellas” (“Star Search”) as a vocal competition winner on America TV, Channel 41, in Miami, Florida. 

Emilyn will be turning 16 as she enters her Junior Year at Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay, Florida.  She is a member of her Student Council and held the position of Vice President of her Sophomore Class and is now Class Representative.  Founder and President of Westminster’s Brothers and Sisters to HIS HOUSE Service Club; the club has partnered with HIS HOUSE Children’s Home, www.hhch.org, a faith based agency, who provides a safe, temporary home for children who have been neglected, abused, or exposed to drugs, or whose parents are in crisis.  As their spokesperson, Emilyn says, “I have a passion for kids and a drive to help them”.  She has received the “Youth Advocacy Award” from founder Jean Caceres.  Emilyn is also a member of a Mother-Daughter Service Club in her community “Twenty Little Working Girls” www.twentylittleworkinggirls.org.   The purpose of this organization is to create in its members an awareness of community needs, and to provide through group efforts means of fulfilling some of these needs.  

Her scholastic achievement has qualified her to be enrolled in Honors and AP classes and has obtained a cumulative 4.79 GPA.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, the “Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica” and “Mu Alpha Theta” the National High School and Two Year College Mathematics Honors Society.  She has received the President’s Education Awards for Outstanding Academic Excellence and the Kodak Young Leaders Award; and nominated to the Who’s Who Among American High School Students.  She is also a cheerleader on her school’s competitive squad and a member of the Yearbook Staff.

 During past summers, Emilyn has attended Appalachian State University with the Duke University Talent Identification Program studying Theatre Arts and has been featured in their Spring 2005 publication “insights” in an article titled “Laurels and Crowns”; and The American University of Paris, to advance her studies in French and Fashion.   This summer she spent time visiting Italy, Greece and Turkey, truly an Ambassador. 

She realizes that “Everything is Possible” if you believe and are willing to put your heart and soul into everything you do, and, of course, work very hard.  In fact, this is the theme song she has recorded for her first demo, Todo es Posible,  “Everything is Possible”.  Emilyn believes that she could be a role model for young girls with big dreams because she believes they can come true.  Her favorite verse from the Bible is “Charm can mislead and beauty soon fade.  The woman to be admired and praised Is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.”