Many Glenbrook South students have modeled for things such as runway shows and print advertisements that allow them to display their beauty, poses and style.

According to senior Paola Santos de Soto, she first began modeling in the sixth grade when she heard a radio advertisement for modeling. From there on, she and her brothers attended classes at a talent agency named John Casablanca and began auditioning for various roles.

“The first [modeling job I did] was an Olympics video… and I remember I was freaking out; I was shaking the whole time [and] it was freezing outside,” Santos de Soto said. “I kept repeating my lines over and over, and I just freaked out and didn’t know what to do.”

Although she was nervous throughout her first job, Santos de Soto explains that she was able to talk to the makeup artist, which helped her calm down.

Other models at GBS such as senior Tori Lothian explains she enjoyed her first job and had a lot of fun.

“There were three of us, me and two girls out of college, so it was a little intimidating,” Lothian says. “It was basically a hair show… so I walked down the runway and… they cut my hair in front of the audience, and I just had to sit there and smile.”

Sophomore Angela Golota also had her first modeling experience on a runway where she was able to learn the basics and gain publicity.

“My first modeling job was a little runway show for a local store,” Golota said. “The first few modeling jobs you do, you do it to gain experience and to get exposure.”

After their first job, all three models said they were able to continue their hobby through photo shoots, commercials or runways. Throughout time, they gained more support from their parents and friends.

“Whenever I changed my profile picture to a picture from the modeling [agency], people would be like, ‘That’s so cool!’” Lothian said. “I found it kind of annoying sometimes, because really anyone can do this; I’m nothing special. It’s not like I was recruited, but [my friends] supported me.”

According to Lothian and Golota, their mothers were huge supporters throughout the modeling experience. However, Golota also explains that her father was a little skeptical on her involvement in the modeling industry.

“My biggest supporter would probably have to be my mom, because she’s the one who drives me to all the interviews,” Golota said. “My dad kind of accepts it, but if he had his way I wouldn’t be doing it.”

Although Golota still continues her modeling hobby today, Lothian and Santos de Soto both ended their modeling journey to focus on school priorities.

“I stopped [during the] beginning of sophomore year, because it was getting mixed up with school and [it was] too much to deal with,” Santos de Soto said.

According to Lothian, she began modeling freshman year but ended modeling before entering junior year due to an increase in other commitments.

“You are paying money to be part of an agency, so it’s not worth it if you don’t have the time for it,” Lothian said. “After sophomore year everything picked up and I had a lot to do. I was involved in a lot more things and [modeling] was lower on my priorities list.”

Golota, however, still continues her modeling hobby today, and makes sure it does not interfere with her education. Throughout their entire modeling experience, all believe they took away a lot from their journey that will help in the future.

“I learned how to take rejection really well, and I learned that at a young age so that’s a pretty good quality to have, because it lowers you down a little [and brings you] back to reality,” Santos de Soto said. “I [also learned about] talking to people and connecting to different types of people… which really helps in the future for jobs and interviews.”

According to Lothian, she learned to always accept herself throughout this competitive industry. She explains that there will always be someone better for the job, so models should learn to be confident with themselves before joining. Lothian then breaks the modeling stereotype and explains how the modeling industry is not how everyone perceives it.

“I have a greater appreciation for the people who do [modeling] as a job because people think [models] have nothing else to do but just stand there and look pretty,” Lothian says. “[Modeling] actually takes work and it takes dedication to sign to places that need you for a job.”