By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



A Morris teen recently had her 15 minutes of fame in a big way.

Katie Williams, a senior at Mortimer Jordan High School, was selected by Goody’s Family Clothing to model “Zana-di” blue jeans in Seventeen magazine.

The full-page ad is in the December issue of Seventeen.

Goody’s selected Katie from among more than 1,500 applicants for an amateur model search.

Katie and her mother Tammy Williams flew to New York City in August for the shoot.

Goody’s paid all expenses, including $500 spending money for Katie. She used it on a shopping spree in the city.

“I love New York,” said Katie. “It’s new and adventurous.”

Her mother enjoyed the four-day trip as well.

“It was wonderful,” said Tammy. “She’s getting older and going off to college. We probably won’t get that chance again.”

The first two days were all work. On the first day, the pair toured the Seventeen offices. They met several department heads and learned about the magazine’s operation.

“That was really good for her because she plans to go into fashion merchandising,” said Tammy.

Katie met several managers who gave her advice about a career in fashion and marketing.

“They had different people talk to us,” said Katie. “I got different perspectives from them. I’ve always been interested in magazines and marketing. It’s one of my interests.”

The actual shoot was the next day and included full make-up and hair styling for Katie.

The teen said she was surprised to see how many people it takes to make just one ad.

On their last two days, mother and daughter shopped and saw a Broadway show – Legally Blonde.

Upon her return to Morris, Katie’s friends were curious about her New York experience.

“They wanted to know everything that happened,” she said.

Tammy said the experience opened her daughter’s eyes to the possibilities that are out there.

“She said it made her think the sky’s the limit,” Tammy said.

Katie, who is on the dance team at Mortimer Jordan High School, is the daughter of Ken and Tammy Williams. Her brother Taylor is a sophomore at Mortimer Jordan.