The upcoming San Diego Sparkles Foundation fashion show and fundraiser will have a little extra sparkle thanks to Miss La Jolla Teen USA Ava Grace Nichols, who will walk this year’s runway.
The third annual fundraiser, planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines hotel, will feature speakers including San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, as well as performances in addition to the fashion show.
The Rancho Santa Fe-based Sparkles Foundation, established in 2022, is a nonprofit that works to support children in San Diego who are at risk of being trafficked and to help orphans in Ukraine and Armenia displaced by war. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to organizations that support those efforts.
“This is a unique opportunity for attendees to meet Miss Teen La Jolla USA in person and see her grace the runway, all while supporting a great cause,” according to the organization. “With Miss Teen La Jolla USA’s participation, we hope to raise even more awareness and support.”
Ava, a student at Cathedral Catholic High School, entered the Miss California Teen USA competition representing La Jolla and was third runner-up. She also is a member of the National Charity League and the Girl Scouts.
This will be her second time participating in the fundraiser.
“I’ve always been a performer, and being on a stage is one of my favorite things to do,” Ava told the La Jolla Light. “Pageantry was a new way I could challenge myself, meet new friends, gain new opportunities and advocate for issues I’m passionate about.”
Among them, she said, is preventing human trafficking, a cause “close to my heart.”
“Human trafficking is when people are forced into providing labor or services against their will,” she said. “It’s a serious problem that affects many kids and adults around the world. It’s important to me because everyone deserves to be treated with respect and freedom. We should all care about this issue and support efforts to stop it. This could happen to someone you know and love.”
She said the Sparkles Foundation’s effort to raise money to fight human trafficking is “truly commendable.”
“Addressing human trafficking is critical for creating a safer and more just world,” she said. “Educating the community and giving faces and names to kids and families who have been impacted is powerful. I am inspired by their commitment and believe that such initiatives are essential in the fight against this grave issue.
“Events like these raise crucial funds and awareness for programs that make differences in [people’s] lives. Being part of it allows me to use my platform as Miss La Jolla Teen USA to contribute to a meaningful cause and hopefully inspire others to get involved as well.”
To find out more about the event, visit sdsparklesfoundation.org or call (858) 945-3034. ♦
Originally Published: September 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
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Publish date : 2024-09-01 23:30:00
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