On September 13 the results of a month-long national search for 20 finalists of the 2004 Supermodel of the World U.S. Search were announced by Ford Models and Marshall Field’s. The overwhelming number of participants between the ages of 14 and 21 attended open scouting sessions held at Marshall Field's stores, as well as registered online, at http://bediscoveredatfields.com . The selection procedure was conducted by Ford representatives, based on three photos taken of each contestant: a close-up face photo, a close-up profile photo and a full-body photo.

We were overwhelmed by the number of outstanding candidates hoping to be discovered. It was a difficult and exciting task to narrow the search to 20 finalists, and we are now looking forward to watching these women compete for the opportunity of a lifetime", said Marshall Field's trend correspondent JoAnn Young.

On September 20 the finalists will compete in a fashion show at Field’s in Chicago, where the winner will be picked by the most respected “judges” in the industry and will be rewarded with a modeling contract with Marshall Field's valued at $15,000 and the chance to participate in the Supermodel of the World International Final in New York in January 2005.

According to the words of the contest organizers, the lucky winner of the International Final will obtain the modeling industry's largest prize in the form of a $250,000 modeling contract and the title of 2004 Supermodel of the World. The two runners up will also receive contracts of $150,000 and $100,000 respectfully.

The complete list of finalists is as follows: Samantha Ahrens (age 19), Wahoo, Neb., Claire Ashley (age 15), Wayzata, Minn., Brandi Bach (age 14), Williamston, Mich., Elizabeth Biggs (age 14), Chesterton, Ind., Mikaela Blumberg (age 16), Scottsdale, Ariz., Olivia Collins (age 16), Robbinsville, N.C., April Eaton (age 14), Mountain View, Calif., Emma Finney (age 18), Grand Rapids, Mich., Amanda Fisher (age 18), Woodstock, Ga., Britney Green (age 16), Burnsville, Minn., Anne Grossenburg (age 19), Sioux Falls, S.D., Amber Jones (age 15), St. Charles, Mo., Sarah Macdougall (age 16), Hernando, Fla., Victoria Nightingale (age 19), Burnsville, Minn., Maren Obermanns (age 15), Rochester Hills, Mich., Michele Oullette (age 16), St. Helena, Calif., Katherine Poley (age 15), Edina, Minn., Britney Watkins (age 19), Pontiac, Mich., Sarah Werner (age 15), Plover, Wis., Danielle Williams (age 15), Six Mile, S.C.

Photo: winner of 2003 Marshall Field’s US model search Brit Tranckino.