RUSSELL WINS FIRST PLACE IN 'TEEN CONTEST

Kelly Russell, a 14-year-old sophomore at Cape Girardeau Central High School, won first place in one category of the 'Teen magazine Superface contest.

Her photo appears in the September issue of the magazine.

Russell was one of 20 girls selected as winners from more than 10,000 entries. Of the 20 winners, Russell is the only one from Missouri and only one of two from the Midwest to win.

Photos were submitted in five categories, hair, eyes, skin, profile and smile. Russell won first place in the profile category. A grand prize winner was also named in each category.

In addition to having her photograph published in the magazine, Russell won an assortment of beauty products.

The Superface contest was announced in the January issue of 'Teen magazine.

Entrants needed only to submit a photograph. Russell submitted photo entries in the profile and eyes categories.

"There is always a chance when you enter a contest," Russell said. "But I had no idea I could really win. Even after I got the letter, it almost seemed impossible."

Russell said she was interested in a modeling career, but one close to home. "If the opportunity came up in Cape Girardeau or even St. Louis, I'd be interested.

"I've been umpiring baseball this summer to earn a little money. Modeling, I think, would be a little more enjoyable."

Russell was a national semi-finalist in the 1991 JCPenney-Seventeen magazine model search. She is also entered in the Ford Modeling Agency of New York's Supermodel of the World contest.

She is a member of the Central High School tennis team and has been involved in school plays, basketball, choir, Beta Club and Spanish Club. She is a member of the JCPenney Teen Modeling Advisory Board and this summer umpired boy's baseball.

She is the daughter of Keith and Margaret Russell.