Annette Hayden Havre Daily News ahayden@havredailynews.com
Star athlete and honor student Larissa Hand recently added another possibility to her already bright future modeling. The Havre High senior was featured in the June issue of “Seventeen” magazine as one of 30 girls chosen out of 5,000 and named one of the “Best-tressed girls in America.” The magazine displays Hand’s photograph along with a couple of styling tips. “It was just a fun thing to do,” Hand said. “Each of us that were published receives a basket of Tresemme hair products worth $250. But it would be so cool if this spurred a possibility of modeling. That is something that has been in the back of my mind for a long time.” However, Hand said she didn’t really think her photo would be chosen when she submitted her entry last fall. “I read Seventeen a lot and I was online when I saw the entry notice,” she said. “I sent in a photo just for fun and a couple of months later they called. I was completely surprised they had chosen me. My mom actually got the call and she called me at school to tell me. It was really exciting, especially since they said they were going to send a photographer from New York,” Unknown circumstances led the magazine editor to decide to have the chosen girls submit more photos instead of sending a photographer out. “They wanted springtime-looking photographs, but it was January and really cold outside,” Hand said. “It was difficult to find a place to take the photograph that would look like spring. My dad and I went out on a trail by the house and I sat on a rock. It was a pretty day, the wind was just blowing and it was cold. We took about 50 photos.” Sitting in a light “spring” shirt, Hand got quite a chill, but the wind didn’t do any harm to the outcome of the photograph. Instead, it blew Hand’s hair out in New York studio fashion. “She would be perfect at modeling,” said Hand’s mom, Becky. “But she wants to be an architect.” Hand has known for several years she would pursue computer-aided design in college. She plans to attend MSU in Bozeman toward earning her degree in architecture this coming fall. She also plans to continue in sports. She has played high school volleyball for four years and her team placed third at divisional this year. Hand is also a member of the track team, which has gone to state the last two years. Over the weekend, Hand went with the team to Belgrade for the divisional meet. Her secret for living a full and successful life? Be optimistic,” she said. “I was not expecting to be one of the girls chosen for the magazine. I had never done anything like that. So if you want to try something don’t hold back, because you never know.” Seventeen is asking readers to vote for their favorite best-tressed girl. To support Hand in winning the People’s Choice, visit Seventeen online.
