A 2010 graduate of Bridgeport High School, Elleyse Gemondo is a finalist in Gladys Magazine’s Gladys Girl of the Year contest. This isn’t her first round of competition with the Pittsburgh-based publication. In October 2012, she was selected one of five Dream Stars from an original pool of 350 contestants nationwide. As a result of that contest - which she said she found and entered on a whim – the West Virginia University fashion merchandising major was the subject in a professional photo shoot and was featured in Gladys Magazine’s 2012 holiday issue.

 

“By winning that contest, I was able to be in the magazine and get a lot of exposure with modeling,” Gemondo said.

That experience led her to enter the Gladys Girl contest.

 

“The cool thing about becoming a Gladys girl is at the end of the year, they do a contest with all 12 Gladys Girls - one representing each month of the year - and that Gladys girl represents the magazine for a year,” Gemondo said.

 

Voting ends 9 p.m. EST Sunday, April 13. One-time votes can be cast by liking the Gladys Magazine Facebook page, then liking Gemondo's photo. 

 

The daughter of Lori Gemondo and Kim Gemondo, Elleyse served as Regina Maria XXXV for the 2013 West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival.  After receiving a fashion merchandising degree from WVU, she plans to attend graduate school. Her ultimate professional goal is to serve as a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. At WVU, Gemondo is a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and the Fashion Business Association. She is active in the student organization, Mountaineer Maniacs.

 

Based on public votes and Gladys Magazine staff vote, three girls will be selected and will be featured in the Gladys July Hot Summer issue for 2014.

 

Gladys Magazine is currently accepting submissions for Dream Stars & Gladys Girls. Details can be found at http://www.gladysmagazine.com.

 

Photo by Jessie Picciano of Pictures by Picciano