Teen wins magazine cover contest, scholarship

Last summer Jen Carbaugh got to experience what some teens only dream about. She flew to New York and stayed at the Milford Plaza Hotel. From there, she was taken in a limo to a studio where she was photographed in fancy prom dresses with male models.

Carbaugh, a senior at Francis Scott Key High School, knew she would be modeling for Prom Guide Magazine.

But what she didn’t know is that she would be put on the cover.

“It’s always been a dream of mine,” she said. “I always watched the Ms. USA pageants, not that I would want to do something that extravagant.”

Prom Guide Magazine provides information on what’s hot in prom fashion and where to get it, as well as where to get deals on limos and other prom necessities, according to Garfield Bowen, the magazine’s Florida-based publisher.

To sign up for the Prom Guide contest that eventually put her on the cover, Carbaugh received an application from her guidance counselor. Other contestants signed up through the Internet.

“Prom Guide refers to the contest as an “American Idol” style voting,” Jen said. “My friends and family voted. The girls were then eliminated based on the number of votes they got.”

Contestants were highlighted in weekly e-mail updates and showcased on www.promguide.com. Thousands voted and some of the contestants secured sponsors, which helped them earn extra points. The judges then chose 11 girls to be on the covers of the magazines to be distributed in different regions of the U.S.

“When we found out, [I] was ecstatic. I was really speechless and happy, really excited more than anything,” said Connie Carbaugh, Jen’s mom.

To be chosen, you had to have a certain grade point average, along with other qualities.

“I know it sounds bad, but ultimately it was based on how you look,” Carbaugh said.

“Carbaugh and the other models got a scholarship, a trip to New York (hotel and meals were paid for) and free copies of the magazine to give out to friends and family. She isn’t sure how much the scholarship is worth.

Carbaugh has applied to Villa Julie, Mount Saint Mary’s and McDaniel College, and she is planning to study law.

No matter where she goes to school, Jen said she would remember her experience with the magazine.

“I like being treated as a professional, the photo shoot was a lot of fun,” Carbaugh said. “If they saw something wrong with the shot they would stop it and redo the shoot.”

Connie Carbaugh said she was almost as excited as her daughter was during the photo shoot.

“It was wonderful just to see the girls get pampered and treated like queens with the make-up, hair, dresses,” she said. “Awesome, I guess is the best word. Exactly what you think New York is you know the fashion capital.”

The magazine is distributed to schools that request it online. Carbaugh will be on the cover of the Maryland’s region magazine, posed with one of the male models. The profile of Carbaugh will be on the inside of the magazine and all 11 girls will be in a spread in the middle of the magazine.

The magazine is scheduled to be distributed to schools on Jan. 18.

If you're a member of the 2008 graduating class and would like to be a Prom Guide cover model, click here to register now.