Child Profiles
Elijah, born November 1994
Elijah is a bright and easy-going twelve-year-old with a giggle that is downright contagious. When he met up with 12 News Today anchor, Scott Light, at Amazing Jakes in Mesa recently, Elijah was eager to play games, take a spin with Light in the race cars and giggle all the while.
"What do you want to start with," Light asked Elijah as they strolled through the gallery of arcade games. Looking around, the bright-eyed boy shrugged his shoulders. There were so many things to choose from.
"You got coins," Light inquired. gYup,h Elijah said, lifting a bulging Ziploc bag filled with tokens. "You can be here all day," Light laughed. Elijah's face lit up as a giggle made its way up from his belly.
The pair started their adventure at the racetrack. Hopping into their cars, Light sized up his competition. "You nervous?"
"No," Elijah quickly shot back. "I've done it before."
Light smiled. "Okay, you think you can beat me?"
Elijah quickly shot back, "Yeah."
After the pair had chosen their cars - with Light in Racecar 5 and Elijah choosing lucky number 2 - the pair readied themselves for the match. "You're going down," Elijah taunted the newsman.
A bright and bubbly sixth grader, Elijah is an eager learner who loves everything about going to school. "What's your favorite part of the day," Light asked him. Elijah told him that library time topped his list, "'cause you get to search on the computer and you get to read books." This young man's favorite books to check out include science and adventure. A good student, Elijah noted that he really likes all of his classes. But when it comes down to it, math is the very best for Elijah. He admits that, "it's kind of easy and hard."
A sports enthusiast, Elijah is a big fan of basketball. "My favorite sports team is actually the Phoenix Suns," he told Light. "So how far do you think the Suns can go in the playoffs," Light inquired. With a knowing smile, Elijah said he though they would go pretty far, maybe even all the way to the championship title. His favorite player? "Stoudemire or Steve Nash!"
If Elijah could plan a perfect weekend, he said that it would include a little bit of travel. His destination: "Hollywood." Once he arrived in the city of the stars, he said he would, "Search around for stores and buy stuff... go through my money quick." Magic, game and toy stores would be no match for this young man.
Elijah has big plans for his future. He told Light that when he graduates from school, he would like to head to the police academy. His personality, which includes an inquisitive mind and a strong desire to do the right thing, will be a good match for his future profession as a police detective. He is excited about the job, "because you get to arrest people and get to investigate and stuff."
For now, Elijah is busy enjoying being a kid. His trip to Amazing Jakes included a blue ribbon for his win on the track. Light was impressed but noted with a laugh that there might have been a little bit of foul play involved. "You bumped me a couple of times," he said pointing to Elijah. "Was that fair?"
Elijah erupted in laughter and shook his head with a touch of embarrassment. "No," he giggled, scrunching his nose.
The ideal adoptive family for Elijah is a one or two parent family with the desire to spend quality time together as a family. They should be able to provide him consistency, structure and plenty of love. Most importantly, his new family must be able to give this pre-teen a strong and positive commitment from the very start.
For more information on Elijah or general information on adoption and foster care, please call AASK at (602)254-2275!
