Courtesy Photo | U.S. Yuma Proving Ground’s Support Services Division Family and Morale, Welfare and...... read more read more
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Yuma Proving Ground’s Support Services Division Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Chief Shauna Wells credits her daughter’s personal growth on taking part in pageants.
Eliana Wells competed in her first pageant last year and won the title of Miss Yuma County Teen 2024 and placed first runner up in Miss Arizona Teen. This year she was crowned Miss East Valley 2025.
“The biggest thing for me was watching her blossom. I can look at a picture from when she won Miss Yuma Teen to seven months later for Miss Arizona Teen. I was like, ‘who am I even looking at’ because she had transformed so much. Learning how to publicly speak. Learning how to carry herself. How to be an advocate for herself and others,” said Shauna Wells.
The last year has been a year of growth for Eliana Wells. She graduated a year early from high school and was dually enrolled at Arizona Western College. Shauna Wells encouraged Eliana to finish her associates locally even though she had already been accepted into the University of Alabama.
“I just saw she was not mature enough yet, mentally and emotionally. I just didn’t see that initiative of taking on things as a young adult,” said Shauna Wells.
That has changed since her experience in the pageant world.
“She used to be too scared to even ask where the bathroom was in a grocery store. To see her now—it’s incredible. I would encourage all young women to participate in pageants because that has made all the difference for my own daughter. It was instrumental in helping her blossom into someone who can thrive and hold her own in the professional world.”
Shauna and Eliana have bonded and enjoyed working together on her inclusion service initiative which focuses on the inclusion of individuals with special needs. In fact, she's hosting the first special needs pageant in Yuma on June 6. The initiative has a sentimental meaning to the family.
“Myself and her dad both have special needs brothers, so that is very special to our hearts,” remarked Shauna Wells.
Shauna Wells has worked for 15 years with MWR and started her career in Youth Sports. She’s using that experience to help her daughter.
“She volunteered a lot and put events together to work with the Special Olympics.” Adding, “We were able to do a lot of events together.”
Eliana Wells’ future looks bright. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Sports Business at Arizona State University, which is possible because of the full scholarship she received at the state competition.
In June she dazzles on stage again competing in The Miss Arizona pageant.
Shauna says, “It’s exciting to see how she balances her education, community service, and pageant ambitions.” She’s certainly someone to watch!”
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.21.2025 10:35 |
| Story ID: | 494866 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, YPG Support Services Chief and daughter, Miss East Valley 2025, are committed to helping, by Ana Henderson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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