Q&A With All of the Face of Foothills 2014 Winners!

 
 
 

The official 2014 Face of Foothills, Teen Future Face of Foothills and Junior Face of Foothills winners were announced in front of a huge audience at the W Hotel Scottsdale on Nov. 21. 

Laura Willert, 19, came out on top as the Face of Foothills winner, while 16-year-old Samantha Lewter snagged the Teen Future Face of Foothills title and Ellie York, 11, was crowned the Junior Future Face of Foothills. Both Willert and Lewter are represented by the Scottsdale-based FORD Robert Black Agency.  

 “We are thrilled to represent both winners of the Future Face of Foothills, Samantha Lewter and the Face of Foothills, Laura Willert!” said Sheree Hartwell, owner and director of FORD/RBA. Both are such lovely girls and they fully encompass what the FORD brand stands for. We know that they will do a wonderful job representing Arizona Foothills Magazine for 2014!”

Meet the winners below! 

Face of Foothills winner: Laura Willert, 19

Laura_Willert_FoF.jpg

Photo by Danny Raustadt - BiggerPictureImages.com

AFM: How did it feel to hear your name called as the winner of Face of Foothills?

LW: When they announced my name it was surreal.  I had to almost pinch myself because it didn’t register that I had actually won until I woke up with the biggest smile on my face the next morning.  It was such a special night that will never be forgotten.

AFM: What made you enter the FOF competition?

LW: I was the Future Face of 2013 and had the most amazing experience.  It was a great way to get noticed and opened up many modeling opportunities.  I loved it so much that I knew 100% that I wanted to try for the Face of 2014.

AFM: How was the competition process for you? 

LW: Since I did this contest a year prior, I knew what I was getting into.  I also knew that it was going to be a big commitment.  Many people would ask me why I was in the competition again since I won the Future Face last year, but for some reason I just had a good feeling and never gave up.  With the support from my family and friends I knew that it was possible and that I was willing to try.

AFM: As the new FOF, what are you looking forward to most?

LW: As the new FOF 2014 I am most excited about representing the magazine.  It is such an honor that I have been given this amazing opportunity so I want to go above and beyond to be able to present the magazine in the most positive way I can.  And of course, as anyone would be ecstatic, I am looking forward to being on the cover of the 2014 January issue as well as all of the other social media sites.


Teen Future Face of Foothills winner: Samantha Lewter, 16

Samantha Lewter Teen FFoF

Photo by Stephen Yap

AFM: How did it feel to hear your name called as the winner of Teen Future Face of Foothills?

SL: It was so unbelievably amazing! I wasn't expecting it and I'm so grateful that they chose me.

AFM: What made you enter the FOF competition?

SL: Laura Willert is the one who told me about it, how ironic huh?! We were at a job together for FORD and somehow it was brought up and she told me she won last year and that I should try it out! I decided it would be a fun opportunity for me even if I didn't win just to have a good time and meet new people.

AFM: How was the competition process for you?

SL: The voting portion was difficult trying to keep up with everyone. The interview was nerve-wracking. I was so nervous but it ended up being a lot of fun and different than I expected and I loved it! The night of the reveals I had almost forgot it was a competition because I had a blast talking and hanging out with all of the other girls!

AFM: What are you looking forward to most now that you are the Teen Future Face of Foothills? 

SL: Im looking forward to new opportunities, living up to the expectations of Arizona Foothills, and getting to know everyone involved with the magazine.

AFM: Do you have plans to enter again in the future to be the Face of Foothills? 

SL: I will definitely enter In 2 years in hopes of becoming the Face of Foothills! I cant wait for Laura to rock it out this year!


Junior Future Face of Foothills: Ellie York, 11 

Ellie_York_Junior_FFoF.jpg

 

Photo by Danny Raustadt - BiggerPictureImages.com

AFM: How did it feel to hear your name called as the winner of Junior Future Face of Foothills?

EY: Absolutely unreal. This was something that was really important to me and meant a lot to me and knowing that I won I can't even contain my happiness. I still can't believe I am part of such an amazing magazine and I am absolutely blessed to be called Winner of Junior Future Face of Foothills.

AFM: What made you enter the FOF competition?

EY: My mom definitely motivated me. I remember a couple years back when I saw the finale at Fashion Square Mall and I watched a girl about my age now get crowned as Future Face of Foothills. I remember her reaction and how happy she looked so looking back on that defiantly motivated me and got me super excited to enter. 

AFM: How was the competition process for you?

EY: It was definitely something that I will never regret, but something I wouldn't exactly consider doing again. Being an 11 year old girl I have a lot of responsibilities and a lot going on other than school and homework and getting all the votes didn't come as easy as it could have. Luckily my parents, their friends and some of my friends took the time to vote for me as well and without them definitely wouldn't be here. I did spend countless weekends myself voting in order to keep up and I am so happy I never gave up.

AFM: What are you looking forward to most now that you are the Junior Future Face of Foothills? 

EY: Honestly, I'm really excited for a lot of things. One thing I am super excited about is going around town and doing promotional events. I love meeting new people within the Arizona Foothills Magazine community.  I am also definitely looking forward to shooting with the magazine and seeing my spread. That is something that has always been a dream of mine and to think its coming true so soon and quickly is absolutely amazing. Not many 11 year olds can say that they have shot with a magazine and have a spread in one and to think that pretty soon I can is not even real.

AFM: Do you have plans to enter again in the future for either Future Face of Foothills or Face of Foothills? 

EY: I would definitely love to enter for Face of Foothills one day when I am older. But to be honest, the voting process is very time consuming and I would have to think about it for a long time before I could commit to it again. Being in this contest has been absolutely amazing and I have met so many amazing and beautiful people and that is one of the best parts of this contest and that is something I would love to do again.