Miss Texas International, Elise Banks, 27, of Houston, was crowned Miss International 2015, Aug. 1 at the Annual Miss International Pageant held in Jacksonville, Fla. The three-hour event, held at the Moran Theater at the Times Union Center for Performing Arts, featured 40 contestants from around the world competing in four categories, including interview, fitness-wear, fun fashion and evening gown.

A committed community volunteer, Banks will serve as an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to promote mental health and emotionally stability. Banks is a counseling therapist in private practice whose “Healthy Mind – Successful Life” initiative works with children, adolescents and adults to promote making positive changes in their lives and to educate them about professional resources available to address mental health issues. click here for complete story