Growing up, freshman Nathalie Groot’s parents instilled the same warning that every parent tells their children when young: Don’t talk to strangers, especially ones in vans. However, as most children do, Groot disregarded her parents advice and was, ironically, incredibly successful; she became a model.

 As a child, Groot fantasized about maybe one day becoming one of those tall, gorgeous models that strike a composed face and get several photos snapped. Having a tall, slim figure, a striking smile, and unique almond shaped eyes, one would think she would fit the description of a model perfectly. Young, 13-year-old Groot decided to go out on a limb and ask her parents if she could try it out; they agreed. Unfortunately, the conversation would go on to hang in the air and remain inactive; life would go on, and the idea of modeling would be nothing but a dream.

 As days past, the family would find themselves on a campsite in Key West, FL. Staying in a camper and enjoying the Florida weather, Groot’s desire of being a ‘real’ model would soon become more tangible.

 “I’d just finished washing the dishes when this lady drove up in a grey minivan and said, ‘Do you want to be a model?’ I thought she was trying to kidnap me.”

To most, this initial interaction would leave one frightened and on the phone with the cops. Instead, after extending an official business card to Groot to show to her parents, she felt at ease and excitement soon took over; however, her parents were not as thrilled.

 “They were like, ‘Really?! Don’t email that lady!’ But then I Googled her name and found a bunch of rankings. She was actually one of the top ten modeling scouts in the world,” said Groot.

 After being discovered and then discovering that one of the most qualified modeling scouts in the world desired her looks for her company, Groot took it upon herself to make her dream come true.

 “I was the one who ended up setting it up. She [the scout] asked if I wanted to go to New York for [the month of] June and my mom said yes.”

 Although her great opportunity seemed open and prosperous, there were some minor roadblocks after the meeting.

 “They [the agency] couldn’t officially sign me until I was 14, and I didn’t turn 14 until August.”

The young teen would wait in anticipation until her birthday, keeping herself preoccupied with various other activities, including Girl Scouts. This particular activity would be the place where she received some of her greatest news.

 “While I was at Girl Scout camp, they [the agency] decided to sign me. They emailed me and asked, ‘Nathalie, do you want to become a model?’ My mom was so excited when she told me and we both ended up just screaming; it was so exciting!”

 Family and friends were all very supportive of Groot’s new found hobby and most were thrilled to hear of her success.

 “My friends were so psyched when I told them! I started texting my best friend immediately and told her about how a creepy lady approached me and asked me to be a model.”

 Fourteen and still fresh and beautiful, Groot had officially started modeling in The Lions in New York.

 Unlike most occupations, modeling is not as consistent as others. Instead of the routine hours of nine to three, the subjects must be ready for call at any moment. Models will sporadically receive a call sheet, attached is an address and directions leading to their next photo shoot.

 “Everywhere these people [the photographers] live is really hard to find. You go to their house and typically they have an entire wardrobe there, so you don’t have to bring any of your clothing, just shoes. Then they set up their cameras and take a bunch of photos.”

 Having someone do your makeup in an exotic way, wearing expensive, shiny clothes, and being photographed seem like every girl’s dream. For Groot, it has become a part of her normal life.

 “They like to put me in jeans; they really like heels. Basically any shirt goes as long as it’s not too complicated,” said Groot, “It’s fun! Some of the photographers are real characters.”

 As if traveling to New York regularly was not enough excitement, Groot has been presented with fascinating opportunities with famous brands.

 “I met with the people who book with Abercrombie and Fitch in November, I also met with Seventeen Magazine.”

 Although it is all fun and fresh now, Groot understands that modeling is not something a girl can do forever.

 “Certain people are only good for a certain amount of time; everyone loses their touch eventually. I’m not going to look like this forever.”

 However, Groot has not let this affect herself. She has learned a lot from her experiences, but most importantly, she has kept her sense of humanity.

 “Just because you’re pretty, doesn’t mean you’re better than anyone else.”

 Even with such spontaneous casting calls, her profession has not interfered with one of the most important thing right now, her school work.

 “They try and plan it around my schedule because they think that school is more important than modeling. Plus I’m really young, so they won’t pull me from school because I’m still working on my grades.”

 But for now, Groot has experienced something most high schoolers cannot say they have. Making frequent trips to New York, meeting tons of new people, and surviving a dubious encounter with a woman in a minivan makes being a freshman at a new school far less intimidating. Although modeling has become something of the norm, she is still a young 14-year-old girl who plays field hockey and works hard in school. Groot is one of the many at Potomac Falls who has shown that you can balance the everyday life of a teenager and work for your dreams. You can find Groot’s curly locks bouncing through the hallways or simply by flipping through pages of the latest Seventeen Magazine.