Next ‘top model’ at Potomac Mills?

Becca Schultz—a tall, thin, young woman from Fairfax with flowing red hair—strutted down a mini-runway in Potomac Mills mall.

She arrived at 10:45 a.m. for this moment: to smile and strike a pose amidst a throng of onlookers, in hopes it would land her one step closer to a modeling dream she's had since she was 13 years old.

A yellow card from the judges means she passes into the next round of America's most watched reality TV shows, "America's Next Top Model."

No card means it's over.

"I am trying out because I really want to be a fashion and role model for little girls," Schultz, 21, said.

"America's Next Top Model," which premiered in May 2003 and quickly became one of the UPN network's highest-rated shows, features a small, carefully selected group of women who compete for the chance to win a contract with a highly-recognized modeling agency by participating in challenges. The show is hosted by supermodel and judge Tyra Banks.

Preliminary auditions for the upcoming season (cycle 11) were at Potomac Mills July 13. The CW television channel narrowed about 2,000 applicants —a half-mile long line of women from the D.C. metropolitan area. Some arrived as early as 7 a.m.

"When the mall opened at 11 a.m., we already had 75 girls waiting," said a Potomac Mills Mall spokesman.

Before the aspiring female-only models had to between the ages of 18 and 27, at least 5-feet-7-inches tall and a U.S. citizen.

Local CW personalities Paul Wharton and Janelle Morris judged applicants within a one-minute time frame in which she strutted down a makeshift runway and introduced herself over a microphone with her name, height and reason she would be perfect for "America's Next Top Model."

Judges gave the non-verbal yellow card to a handler on the side of the stage if she passed.

"I am so happy. I waited three hours last time and did not even get seen," said

Sandra Montietl, 22, of Alexandria,  after receiving a yellow card.

Erica Smith, 23, easily garnered a yellow card for her second experience trying out for the show.

"Last time I had to wait in the cold outside, this is much better and I hope to go on to make the top five on the television show," Smith said.

Many were there for moral support, such as Jaudat Ashraf, 23, of Fairfax.

"I care about her and believe she is not an everyday face," Ashraf said. Ashraf's friend did not get a yellow card, but Ashraf was on-hand to take her to lunch.

For many, despite not being chosen, the entire experience was worth the networking opportunity to meet with professionals in the fashion industry.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get exposure, to be seen," said Debbie Alexander, 21. She also did not receive a yellow card.

For Schultz, a first time applicant, soon found herself trying to get out of a trip to Arizona.

Because, as luck would have it, judges saw something in her that would keep her in D.C. for another week.

She received a yellow card.