From the February 21, 1985, edition of The Salem Times-Register
Most little girls dream of growing up to be famous models or movie stars, but for most, the dream never comes true.
The story is a little different for Laura Jones, a pretty blond-haired blue-eyed senior at Salem high School. Her dream is just beginning.
With encouragement from her mom and dad, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth jones, and her boyfriend, Laura entered her picture in ‘Teen Magazine’s 1985 Great model Search contest and out of hundreds of entries, was selected a semifinalist. For the first time in her life, Laura’s picture was featured in a national magazine.
“I was shocked, very shocked,” Laura laughed. “My parents thought I could win, but I didn’t think I had a chance. I didn’t even tell my friends about it because I didn’t think I could win.”
Laura’s feelings have now changed. “I have tried not to get my hopes up about the contest, but when I received the letter I thought, wow, maybe I really can do it.”
As for her parents’ reaction, Laura said her mother bought every magazine she could find. “She is going to send them to all our friends and relatives,” Laura explained.
Although this is Laura’s first contest, she has always wanted to be a model.
“Ever since I was real tiny I have wanted to be a model,” Laura laughed. “I wanted to enter contests in the past,” she added, “but I didn’t know how to go about it.”
Laura said she has taken modeling classes sponsored by Leggett Department Store and Seventeen Magazine, and added she has considered modeling locally but has not compiled a portfolio.
Although Laura is anxious to find out how far she will go in the contest, she must wait until November before hearing if she is a super semifinalist. Laura said it may be ealty 1986 before she hears whether she has made the finals.
If Laura wins, she will be featured ion the cover of Teen Magazine and will win a $5,000 modeling contract with the Gillette Company, a 1985 Mazda, a vacation to San Franciso to select a Levi Strauss wardrobe, plus a number of other prizes. Many of the past contestants such as Cheryl Tiegs, Christina Ferrare and Cheryl Ladd have also become top models.
Is the tiny 5-foot, 2 inch student getting her hopes up?
“I sort of am,” Laura said, “I wouldn’t feel real bad about it if I didn’t win. I wouldn’t have any hard feelings, but I would be disappointed.”
Laura added that if she doesn’t win, she will just continue her plans to major in fashion merchandising at a local college, and to try and “break into modeling.”
-Prepared by Shelly Koon
