When you want to be a princess Surrounded by trophies, Jadeann Highley poses in the "pretty dress" her grandmother made for her to wear in the nationwide modeling competition she faces in August.

By Nancy Malcom

Nevada Daily Mail

Jadeann Highley is a beautiful little girl who hopes to earn college tuition as a model. She's planning ahead . . . way ahead. Jadeann is two years old.

The daughter of Matt and Ashley Highley of Walker, Jadeann is already an old hand at contests.

"The first contest she entered and won, was at Bushwhackers in 2002 as a baby," said her mother. "She has won something in every competition she's entered." Things got more involved when Highley saw a flyer at a local mall about a professional competition.

The competitions are all related to a company called New Star Discovery, Inc. The company conducts regional contests in 29 states around the country. Children can win professional photo sessions for their portfolio.

Commercial modeling jobs are the real prize with potential contracts with McDonald's, Pampers, Lever 2000, Hanes Underwear, Huggies, Tommy Hilfiger Childrenwear Collection, Polo-Ralph Lauren, Cracker Jacks, Aunt Jemima Syrup, Gateway Computers, Dillard's, Famous Barr, May Dept. Stores, Macy's, K-Mart, Bloomingdales, Lord and Taylor, J.C. Penney's, Wal-Mart and Shop-ko.

The competitions for boys and girls ages newborn through six years old, seem to offer a great earning potential as a model. Unlike most "beauty pageants," looks aren't everything. The New Stars advertise they are looking for the natural child. Make up isn't allowed, although lots of costume changes with props are.

"She's been in five competitions this year. She's won specific categories in state competition and also the best overall winner in Missouri," Highley said proudly. "She's won 12 trophies and three crowns this year."

Although Jadeann qualifies to compete on the national level from both Missouri and Kansas, they have chosen to enter only the Missouri competition. The national contests will be held in Chicago Aug, 6-8 with two days of competition followed by an awards night.

"She qualified last year, but we thought she was too young then for all the costume changes," Highley explained. "She has to change clothes eight times over the two-day competitions. She can win up to $25,000!"

Looking for real kids for modeling jobs, the contest emphasis is equally on looks and personality. Highley said. "The kids are judged on 50 percent appearance and 50 percent personality. They do not allow makeup of any type, but they can have their fingernails and toenails polished." The adage you have to spend money to make money, certainly applies to a potential modeling career. The original contest entry fee was $80, and there are travel and costume expenses.

"Some of the formal dresses are almost $1,000," Highley said, but quickly added Jadeann has none of them. "My mom makes her dresses for a lot less -- still some outfits are several hundred dollars."

So far the state contests cost $2,000, and Highley anticipates the nationals will cost around $4,000 in family travel expenses. To offset costs, parents are allowed to sell ads for the contest booklets featuring photos of their children and other competitors.

"You don't have to sell any ads," Highley explained, "and unlike some contests, the number of ads you do or do not sell has nothing to do with the outcome of the competition itself. But selling ads does help with expenses." She added, "If you sell 15 ads you get your hotel and food expenses paid for the weekend at Chicago."

Family members like grandparents Warren and Sonya Highley, George Clark, and Doug Lukenbill and Mary who made the dress, and other friends buy most of the ads. "We want to thank all of her sponsors," Highley said.

Other than the potential for a modeling career, trophies and tiaras, there are actual cash prizes. "Jadeann has won a $700 photo package and a $200 savings bond so far," Highley said.

Once her photo was taken with the trophies and her play clothes were back on, Jadeann seemed more interested in setting up a tea party in her room than in any talk of beauty pageants.

When she isn't onstage competing, she's usually riding her toy motorcycle or jumping on the trampoline in the front yard. She likes to swim, too, and play with her brother Kartman.

At eight months old, he is entered in the Bushwhacker baby contest. He has followed his sister's footsteps in the contests and has already won three trophies including a regional trophy, medal, and photo shoot.

Although he qualified for state competitions, his mom said they won't enter him because they feel he is too young to go through all that.

"All that" includes several costume changes in categories such as: pajamas, sports, playwear, swim wear, products (clothes featuring some company logo) and western wear.

"She takes a wading pool, her motorcycle, and a stuffed horse as props," Highley said. "There's not a lot of time to set up and clear the stage, so it's pretty hectic."

Having a career in modeling or even winning the $25,000 grand prize, isn't the main reason her parents have entered Jadeann in the contests.

Her mother explained, "It's a real confidence-booster. If she doesn't get into sports or anything else, she can always say, 'look at all these trophies I won.' "She meets new friends, who she wouldn't meet in a small town. It's good for her. When she doesn't want to do it anymore we'll stop."

When asked her opinion of the whole competition process, Jadeann summed it up with a big grin. "You have to be a girl, wear pretty dresses, go on stage and win trophies for Mom and Grandma."

She balanced her water-filled teapot carefully in one hand then cocked her head to one side and added, "I like the pretty dresses part best."