After going through what felt like thousands of photos, the judging committee finally was able to pick the winner of the "NEXT YEAR'S MODEL" contest. I got to peek over everyone's shoulder as they were going through the entrants and, let me tell you, it wasn't an easy choice to make. Thank goodness I wasn't the one making the final judging!

The winner, 20 year old Rianna Hadesty of Wisconsin, wins all sorts of wonderful prizes, including a trip to New York City and a photo shoot with the goal of using her on the cover of Carol Alt's next book, MODEL, INCORPORATED, which is on sale in August 2009. Of course, they are very excited out in Madison, but everyone here at the office is thrilled, too. I can't wait until she comes to New York.

Now, I'm one who has never won a contest in her life--not the lottery, any raffle at all, or any sort of anything that gives out a prize. I've never been to Las Vegas and the idea of sitting at a slot machine watching it eat up my money just isn't so appealing to me.

But this all proved to me that you really can win a contest. You just never know! Do any of you ever feel lucky ? Have you ever won anything fantastic (or even not so fantastic). Let me know, because I've given up.