Seventeen-year-old Katie plans to be a model. With a team effort from UAW-GM, Tim’s Buick of Prescott, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Arizona, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, she is now on a fast track to the catwalks.

When Northern Arizona wish granters questioned the teen about her wish, she had specifics in mind: Go to New York City to have a professional modeling portfolio created, and see other models at work. The Metro New York chapter stepped up with a wish assist and created an extravagant itinerary for the model-to-be, highlighted by a nearly all-day photo shoot with Self magazine. The ever-helpful chapter also sprinkled in visits to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Ellis Island

Museum, Macy’s department store, the EmpireStateBuilding and Central Park – the last via a carriage ride.

Katie’s mother and grandmother accompanied the budding model to the Big Apple, where they enjoyed a limousine ride to the photography studio. At the studio, Katie met accomplished models Diné and Autumn. However, on this day, all eyes and camera lenses were on Katie.

The teen had her hair and makeup professionally styled and posed in several designer outfits for a Self photographer. A wish granter noted Katie’s photogenic nature, explaining, “She posed in a variety of ethnic clothes that complemented her own exotic appearance.” Looking back, Katie called her shoot “the real thing” and commented that no one treated her like she had an illness.

The hustle and bustle of the shoot may be over now, but Katie has some very valuable souvenirs. Self magazine mailed her a portfolio containing several of the fantastic photographs, including a mock-up magazine cover with the blossoming beauty on it.