This year’s Face of Foothills winner is much more than just a pretty face. As a student at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, 19-year-old Emily Glynn has brains to match all the beauty.

Though Glynn entered the 2013 Face of Foothills competition knowing that winning was a longshot (there were more than 300 applicants, after all), she knew she had the support of family and friends—and their free time—on her side. “My mom and sister would spend hours voting,” Glynn says. “The last night [of Web voting] was the craziest though. I probably had 40 people behind me, and it was touching to see everyone I love come together for me.” Though her supporters helped send her to the top 10, it was Glynn’s sweet personality and natural, effortless beauty that helped her take the title.

During her tenure as the Face of Foothills, the Tucson resident is looking forward to proving herself as a spokeswoman and model (she has been with The Agency Arizona for three years). “But most importantly, I want to be a role model for young girls,” she says. “Becoming a professional model is a lofty goal and as the Face of Foothills, I hope I can inspire girls to keep at it while staying true to themselves and staying healthy, both mentally and physically.”

Looking beyond her time as the Face of Foothills, Glynn’s future sure seems bright. Not only does she dream of one day gracing a Victoria’s Secret catalog (“Like almost every other girl,” she says) but you might see her name gracing a book cover, as well. “I want to eventually write and publish a book. I have yet to come up with a great idea, but it’s something I’m really passionate about.”