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Like many 7-year-olds, Shea Mansisidor bursts with energy – you might see her launch into a cartwheel at any given moment.

But as soon as Shea steps onto a runway, she exudes a poise and maturity well beyond her years.

A first grader at Stonehouse Elementary School, Shea has walked runways in big cities across the country. In February, she heads to New York Fashion Week, followed by Paris Fashion Week in March.

And though, at its surface, the industry is filled with garments and glitz, fashion has taught Shea some unexpected lessons. For a young girl with big dreams, and a big heart, modeling became the outlet she needed.

It started with Star Wars. Around age 3, Shea watched the films and wanted to be just like the kids on screen. Shea’s desire to act led parents, J. and Tracey, to a local agency. That led to a runway show in Washington, D.C. with fashion show producer Harvey Star Washington.

There, at age 4, Shea began to watch, listen, learn.

Tracey described driving to D.C. every Sunday, where practices lasted three hours. “And she would come home and practice,” she said.

“She’s a very coachable kid,” J. said.

Now, Shea can describe a runway walk, step by step. “I walk down with my hands behind my back, kind of swinging … I shift this way, and put my hand down, and shift that way and put my hand down.” The steps continue.

It’s a technique refined through nearly 15 fashion shows, including at Fashion Weeks in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego. At New York Fashion Week this year, Shea walks for designer Wanda Beauchamp on Feb. 13, followed by a show with Janay Dean on Feb. 14.

“Shea comes off as very professional for her age,” said Tanya Roy, whose daughter Elliana, 12, also models. Elliana and Shea met at a photoshoot in Vancouver and quickly became friends.

From within the industry, Roy has observed, “You have to be professional. You have to be able to take direction. You have to have stamina,” she said. “Shea has all those qualities.”

“We see that the fashion is something that gives her a lot of confidence,” J. said. Just like a sport, modeling provides focus, goals.

“They learn to persevere,” Roy said – through successes and disappointments.

“That support has to come from home, to keep the child grounded, to keep the child focused on a path,” J. said. “And also to be their biggest support mechanism.”

Despite the spotlight, Shea’s a regular kid. She loves soccer and gymnastics, hip-hop dancing and running. She takes a local improv class. She wears pink glasses, and loves her friends.

But Shea also loves serving as an unofficial usher at the family’s church, St. Olaf, and she tries to help people whenever she can.

“A lot of people refer to her as an old soul,” J. said.

Along with ensuring Shea maintains academics, J. and Tracey focus on teaching moments that arise through modeling’s opportunities.

“We keep a good pulse on reality, and everything that’s going on around us,” J. said.

The exposure, in this case, provides perspective. During visits to big cities, for example, J. said the family often sees homelessness, which has led to discussions of the world’s realities, and Shea is quick to want to help, even if just to buy hot chocolate or pizza for someone in need.

“Maybe that seed of compassion and humanity is instilled in a way she will do something that will help others,” J. said.

The fashion industry has taken Shea on quite a whirlwind, but she’ll always be Shea – an old soul, with a great cartwheel.

Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-275-4934.