Senior Asia Henry surprised even herself when she booked her dream job and got the opportunity to walk in New York Fashion Week. Recently she has also had the opportunity to be featured in Seventeen magazine in two pages based on her hairstyle.

“Modeling was a foreign thought to me, but we happened to a have a family friend who was a scout for the agency No Ties San Diego,” Henry said. “They approached me and said they would be really interested in having me, so I signed with them and I have been with them ever since.”

Even though Henry did not have previous experience when she was scouted, she was a natural and quickly began working in the industry. Impressing the professionals with her independence and dedication, Henry was invited to travel to New York for Fashion Week twice.

“When I modeled at New York Fashion Week, they let me know the day beforehand that I had a ticket,” Henry said. “I was there for a month, and it was casting for the first three weeks so I had to run around the city by myself from 8am to 8pm to meet my clients.”

Models have the stereotype of being conceited and melodramatic, but Henry does not let these ideas characterize her life. She tries to live like the ordinary teenager, regardless of her newfound fame. Even though Henry has become a well known model, she has many other interests outside of modeling that most people would never guess.

“I sort of have a secret identity because I work at a comic book store and I am a total nerd,” Henry said. “That’s the thing though, a lot of people don’t see past my modeling career, but there is so much more to it because I am regular person and do things regular people do,” Henry said.

Despite Henry’s passion for modeling, she plans a future away from the camera.

“I have always wanted to be a history teacher because I love teenagers,” Henry said. “It’s such an essential age for us to have a good education and to have inspiring teachers that love what they do,” Henry said.

With other jobs in mind, Henry focuses on the present accomplishments she is making in her modeling career and hopes she will continue with it while it lasts.

“My favorite part about modeling is meeting all the creative people in the industry. They are all people coming from different places that have goals and it’s really inspiring for me,” Henry said.

Contrary to most people’s beliefs, modeling requires more commitment than standing and looking picture-perfect. Juggling different clients’ expectations, waiting in long lines, running around to meet clients and still managing to look perfect results in an arduous business.

“A lot of people think modeling is easy, but that is not the case because there are long hours, last minute traveling, and it is very stressful,” Henry said. “There are times when I wonder if it’s worth it because it might get sucky throughout the day, or it might get really hard, but I am doing a dream job so I can’t really complain.”

Henry has impacted many people’s lives and works purely off of the supporting others and others supporting her through the challenges that might arise.

“Asia is diligent, determined, confident and very strong-willed,” CHS English teacher Mrs. Padilla said. “She is a risk-taker and is willing to go out on a limb with an idea and take a chance even when others think it is wrong. She can stand on her own two feet and supports herself, which is awesome.”