By Ron VandenBoom
The dream of becoming a professional model or possibly even a Hollywood star is one step closer to reality for two Rocky Boys youths selected to compete in the New York Modeling Showcase to be held Nov. 20-21, 1999, in Seattle.
Art Whitford Jr. and April Caplette received the offer after being selected during preliminary competition held earlier this year in Great Falls.
Caplette and Whitford said they learned of the competition on the radio and TV and decided to try and fulfill their dreams.
Caplette attended her segment of the preliminary competition Sept. 16, in the Great Falls Civic Center where she said about 200 youths competed.
Whitford attended his competition May 8, and said as many as 400 young people competed.
The competition was sponsored by New York Modeling Contracts, a professional scouting company that seeks out potential talent by holding area competitions. They then select the candidates they believe have the greatest potential and invite them to participate in a national competition that will be held this year in Seattle.
Scouts from modeling agencies throughout the United States attend the Seattle Showcase and review the new talent. They will then select their favorites for call-backs and award modeling contracts to the winners.
Competitors range in age from 3-18 and each competitor will compete within his own age bracket.
Caplette and Whitford said they were required to fill out applications for the contest and respond to questions about why they wished to become a model or actor before being given a personal interview by the professional talent scouts.
Im kind of nervous, said Whitford about the up-coming Seattle trip. But its been a dream of mine for a long time.
Caplette, too, said she was nervous but was looking forward to the trip.
Ive always dreamed of being a model, she said. Id be really happy if I got picked.
Whitford echoed Caplettes view referring to the trip as a lifetime opportunity.
Whitford and Caplette hope that sponsors from the Havre area step forward to help pay for the trip to Seattle a sum estimated to be about $2,000.
Caplette also hopes to get help putting together a portfolio for the trip.
