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Girl, 11, scores swank modeling job By JoNel Aleccia A year ago, Haylee Godfrey was a shy 10-year-old whose mother enrolled her in modeling school for a dose of self-esteem. Today, the blond, blue-eyed Medford fifth-grader is poised on the brink of a modeling career that could put her image in advertisements and on clothing tags around the world. Last week, Haylee was notified that she's been chosen to appear in a new campaign for Guess?, an international clothing company best known for its spendy sportswear. "It's cool," said Haylee, a freckle-faced soccer and basketball player. More than cool, it's rare, said Teresa Pollman, owner of IMD -- Image and Modeling Development -- the Medford agency responsible for Haylee's surprising start. The girl has no modeling experience beyond the training offered by the Medford school. "For her to go from zero to the Guess? campaign is amazing," said Pollman. "It has opened up huge doors for her." Indeed, Haylee has signed with the world-famous Ford agency and is being considered by clothing firms such as Tommy Hilfiger. Next week, she'll fly to Los Angeles for a series of Guess? photo shoots that could spark even more interest. It's been something of a whirlwind, said Haylee's parents, Darrin and Marsi Godfrey of Medford. Marsi Godfrey, 31, said she enrolled her pre-teen in IMD to help her learn about skin and hair care, plus poise. "I wanted her to learn about self-esteem," Marsi Godfrey said. "But this is just something you dream about." Self-esteem sessions led to modeling and acting classes, then a photo shoot. When IMD representatives showed Haylee's photographs, the response was immediate. "A few of the photographers say the camera loves her," said Marsi Godfrey. Natalie Smith, director of new talent for the Ford agency in Los Angeles, agreed. She said Haylee's classic looks are just what the client ordered. "She's beautiful, she's stylish, she's fresh, she projects that Guess? image," Smith said. "It's fresh, it's clean, it's got a certain kind of energy and enthusiasm." Haylee will begin earning money immediately. Although IMD declined to release exact figures, Pollman estimated that a young model such as Hayley could earn a starting fee of $2,500 for six hour's work. "We'll put it in the college fund," said Marsi Godfrey, who works at KTVL-TV in Medford. Darrin Godfrey works for Security Insurance in Medford. Are they worried about the effects of modeling on such a young girl? Yes, said Haylee's parents. They've heard horror stories about models' lives; they worry about long hours and unsavory environments and exploitation. But the Godfreys say IMD and the Ford agency have impressed them with an attitude that puts their daughter's well-being first. "If this stops being fun for her, that's it," said Marsi Godfrey, who's also the mother of Derek, 7, and Natalee, 6. For now, concerns have taken a back seat to excitement as the family helps Haylee's newest endeavor. For her part, Haylee said she likes all the hoopla; she likes the photo shoots, the cool clothes, the nice people. What do her friends in Mr. Montgomery's class at Lone Pine School think? "They think it's neat," Haylee said. And Haylee's mom thinks it's pretty neat, too. "Of course, we always thought she was beautiful," Marsi Godfrey said. "I can't believe this is my baby and someone else thinks she's beautiful besides me!" Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA