Marissa Olivarez is only 8 years old and has had three heart surgeries.
She had the surgeries at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at 7 days old, 6 months and 2-1/2 years old.
She had a heart valve problem at birth, and still visits the hospital twice a year for checkups.
Olivarez, Warsaw, wants to be a cardiologist doctor when she grows up.
For now, she is looking forward to competing as a state finalist in the National American Miss Junior Pre-Teen Pageant this month in Indianapolis. She will compete in the ages 7-9 division against other girls in Indiana.
The competition is June 16 at the Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis. The pageant is for girls ages 4-18, and there are five age categories in the competition.
Olivarez said she likes to get dressed up, and is looking forward to the competition.
“My friends think it is awesome that I am the only girl in my class that will be doing this,” Olivarez said.
Olivarez’s hobbies include playing golf and tennis, picking flowers and playing on Mac computers.
Her sponsors include jdangles.achdirect.com, Bloch Small Engine Repair and Four Brothers Construction.
Olivarez is the daughter of Jose and Dusty Olivarez. She is a third-grader at Lincoln Elementary School.
Olivarez’s parents are excited for her to compete.
“I am just very excited that this is what she wants to do,” Dusty said.
Jose said he also is excited for his daughter.
“It would be something special if she won,” Jose said. “This would give a sense of hope going from struggles and being blessed by God to have this opportunity.”
Olivarez’s parents submitted a photo of her in a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform with a football for a competition through the team to win an autographed football.
They filled out their daughter’s name, age, address and phone number and submitted it to the Dallas Cowboys organization.
Although the family did not win the autographed football, they received a phone call from the National American Miss pageant asking if she would want to compete in the opening trial competition in Fort Wayne.
Her family agreed and Olivarez competed at the Shiloh Hall in Fort Wayne in March for the opening trial of the pageant.
She was selected in the ages 7-9 division to advance to the National American Miss Pageant as a finalist.
Emphasis is put on the importance of developing self confidence, learning good sportsmanship as well as setting and achieving personal goals during the pageant.
Girls under the age of 12 are not allowed to wear makeup, and there is no swimsuit competition. The pageant is based on inner beauty as well as poise and presentation.
There will be an evening gown competition, a dance routine, and a time for Olivarez to say what she wants to be when she grows up.
The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the National Pageant in California against finalists from 50 states.
The winner also will receive a complimentary Tour of Hollywood and two VIP tickets to Disneyland.
Each contestant in the pageant is required to donate teddy bears and books to a charity to learn about humanitarian efforts.
Olivarez will donate teddy bears to children at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
Follow staff writer Jennifer Peryam on Twitter at TUNews_Peryam
