PHOTOPHILE- There she goes: Grace (and beauty) under pressure

By LAUREN BROOKS |
Published online 8:00am Thursday May 5th, 2005
and in print issue #0418 dated Thursday May 5th, 2005

Several students vied to become UVA's Next Top Model, but only one could wear the crown. On Tuesday, April 26, ten women, six judges, and a crowd of fans gathered in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom for the announcement of the winner.
Modeled after the popular TV reality show and sponsored by the Theta Kappa chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the contest was a fundraiser to support sorority community projects. All female UVA students were welcome to enter.
The ten contestants who made it to the final round faced challenges such as a strut down the catwalk, a photo shoot with a male model (a UVA student), putting together an outfit, presenting and selling a product, and– most taxing, perhaps– wearing a plastic bag. (That's right, a plastic bag.)
After each hurdle, the panel of judges– a UVA faculty member, a photographer, a producer, and members of UVA's fashion design club– had to decide and then explain who did and didn't make the cut to move on to the next challenge. Each of the contestants was judged on qualities such as creativity, style, confidence, and personality.
The judges had a hard job, but somebody had to do it, and after much deliberation, the verdict was in: Malaika Schiller got to take the victory stroll.
In addition to the glory of being UVA's Next Top Model, Schiller won a cash prize, a photo shoot with a professional photographer, and a gift bag from Mary Kay.
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-challenge.jpg"> In one challenge, contestants read a script and try to sell a bag of potato chips to the judges and crowd.
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-contestants.jpg"> You be the judge: Six remaining contestants step up to the next challenge and test their fashion sense by combining and donning a choice of hats, belts, and handbags.
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-crowd.jpg"> The crowd is having a blast!
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-priscilla.jpg"> Priscilla Kuanghlawn strikes a pose in front of the judges during the "runway" challenge.
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-sharisse.jpg"> The Hostess with the mostest: Sharisse Barksdale keeps the show rolling.
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-strut.jpg"> On the catwalk: UVA's 'Next Top Model' contest gave students a chance to strut their stuff.
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-winner.jpg"> Isn't she lovely? UVA's Next Top Model 2005, Malaika Schiller
<IMG SRC="/images/issues/2005/0418/photophile-workit.jpg"> Work it, own it: Newcomb Hall Ballroom turned 'runway' for the evening.
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