“Oh my goodness…I am still in shock!” says Stephanie Mannon, 25, of Gilbert, Arizona, of her winning the Faces of Foothills Model Search. She was among the top ten finalists who vied for the title at the finale party at the W Scottsdale on Nov. 12, 2009.
Amidst the champagne, Sushi Roku culinary delights (including the popcorn shrimp tempura) and trendy fashions; families and friends surrounded the contestants at the modelfest of sorts. “I’m still replaying the night in my head and seeing the jaw dropping faces of my family and friends as they announced my name as the winner!” gasps Stephanie. “I am going to sound cliché, but it is truly a dream come true,” she adds. She thanks the magazine for creating the contest that began with 100 models. “It brought optimism and excitement to our lives during a year where many people have been affected negatively by the downturn in the economy.” Stephanie who has modeled in the past is also a tax analyst.
Professional DJ- Mr. P Body played ultra hip music. Ladies donning sexy outfits reminiscent of the 1950’s Playboy cigarette girls with their retro trays- showcased samples from the W’s Bliss Spa- wrapped in bright turquoise blue pouches.
Professional models took to the catwalk for a swanky fall fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. Arizona Foothills Magazine Publisher Michael Dee, Director of Communications Claire Perkins and other Foothills’ staff mingled with the finalists, their family and friends and those like Debbie and Len Gaby of Paradise Valley who turned out for the evening bash.
The 2010 Face of Foothills Top 10
The winners were interviewed and determined by Dee, Perkins and the magazine’s creative and fashion directors. “We are so happy with the way the Face of Foothills promotion has transpired,” expressed Dee and Perkins. “We couldn't have asked for a better Web contest, more successful event or a better face for our Web site."
Both, Stephanie and the runner up, McKenna Mendoza (pictured below), 24, of Ahwatukee, Arizona, and many of the contestants credit Facebook and their friends and family for helping generate the hundreds of thousands of votes needed to win.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how many family, friends and people I didn’t even know were voting for me,” says Stephanie. She received 142,286 votes. And McKenna received 178,008 votes.
The total votes for all contestants generated about 15 million votes for the Arizona Foothills Magazine website. The publisher is excited about its website -the Valley’s fastest growing website.
Arizona Foothills Magazine readers will be seeing a lot of Stephanie. She will model for the cover of the January issue. Al Molina was there to help crown the new face of the foothills who won a $5,000 gift certificate from Molina Fine Jewelers and $500 worth of gifts from Saks Fifth Avenue. The grand prize also included a three night stay at W hotel.
McKenna Mendoza (pictured above), the runner up, who is a pilates instructor and a realtor won $2,000 worth of jewelry from Molina Fine Jewelers- among other prizes. And she will pose for a 2010 issue of Arizona Foothills Magazine.
