Status Fitness Cover Contest Press Release - Top 100

The first annual Status Fitness Cover Contest has been a tremendous success. Status Fitness had over five hundred entries for the inaugural contest. Through the initial voting process the top five each month, as well as select Editor's Choices, combined to give us the 159 finalists that were featured in the Facebook portion of the voting process.

Status Fitness prides itself on integrity and took every effort to ensure the results were fair by involving thousands of Status Fitness fans and ten of the top industry photographers to synergistically provide accurate final results.

What is exciting is that everyone was a winner throughout this process. The friendships that were made and the support and camaraderie shown by many of the participants show the level of class and professionalism that is present throughout the fitness industry. The excitement and fun each has had participating in the first contest of its kind has clearly shown the world that Status Fitness is serious about bringing exciting exposure opportunities to each and every athlete that enjoys fair and friendly competition.

The Status Fitness Cover Contest began in January 2010 with the opportunity for each participant to show the dedication they had to win a prestigious cover. At the conclusion of December, Status Fitness expanded this experience to include the social network to create even more awareness for the athletes involved in this contest and to increase friendly interaction. Status Fitness was proud to be the first industry magazine to take such a contest to the pages of Facebook. The exposure generated by the 159 finalists was exceptional and the response for each of the finalists was tremendous. Many athletes found themselves featured in local and national newspapers, featured on websites, in local magazines and on posters in businesses around their city. It is this enthusiasm that generated exponential attention for everyone involved and Status Fitness thanks you. Bottom line was that the athletes had fun, met many new friends, and had their photos viewed by tens of thousands.

Due to the exceptional response across the industry, in addition to the first place prize, Status Fitness announced that it will guarantee three pages to the first runner up and the remaining 88 athletes being featured in the same issue.

Having diligently calculated the final results, Status Fitness Magazine is excited to announce that the winner of the first annual Status Fitness Cover Model Contest is Melissa Leigh Morrison. Generating over 200 votes on the final day alone, Mindy Karuk slid ahead of Fjóla Björk Gunnlaugsdóttir to receive a three page spread as runner up. Due to her amazing efforts, Fjóla captured third.

The judging system was formulated to give an equal ratio of input from online voters and the Status Fitness photographer judging panel. Given the total number of online votes the statistics were calculated to give a fair and accurate numerical placement of the top one hundred.

The ten photographers selected to participate in the judging process are all well respected professionals. Status Fitness was careful to choose those with significant experience and with an eye for athletic talent. All photographers work regularly with top athletes across North America and all have photographed covers for various publications along their career. Of the one hundred and fifty nine athletes in the finals, fifty three were selected by this creative group. Twenty one received multiple votes, meaning thirty two received single votes.

The professional photographers selected by Status Fitness to judge the cover contest include in alphabetical order:

Lisa Brewer - www.lisabrewerphoto.com
TC Chang - www.tcchangphotography.com
Noel Daganta - www.daganta.com
David Ford - www.davidfordpictures.com
Terry Goodlad - www.bodysport.com
Sarah Lyons - www.picturegroove.com
Larry Niven - www.larry-niven.com
Sarah Orbanic - www.sarahorbanicphotography.com
Oscar Rabeiro - www.rabeiro.com
Eva Simon - www.evasimon.com

Here are several quotes from the photographers who had the daunting task of selecting ten athletes from the final grouping:

"I was overwhelmed by the number of talented, beautiful models that were featured in the Status Fitness finals. There were some girls that were so beautiful and so well built, it was very hard for me to break it down to my ultimate choices. I'd like to offer this tip for athletes, I highly suggest entering these types of contests with professional photos. Show what you've worked so hard for. The total package will jump off the screen and that is what we are looking for." - Sarah Lyons - Picture Groove

"Since its inception, Status Magazine has always focussed on publishing a top quality magazine. The model search contest is certainly a reflection of that dedication to celebrating the very best athletes and models in the industry. The finalists were all top quality and with a dedicated effort towards personal branding and social networking the women who enter future model search contests will be able to use the prestigious Status Fitness Magazine name to elevate their own brand regardless of where they place in the contest. Good work everyone!" - Terry Goodlad - Bodysport.com

"The contestants for the Status Fitness Cover Model Contest represents a diverse group of fitness enthusiasts. The energy and enthusiasm generated by this competition was infectious. The top 100 will represent Status Fitness Magazine well and the issue will be a great recourse for me and fellow photographers to reference when we are booking models for our next project." - TC Chang - Status Fitness Super Model Calendar Project Photographer

"Thank you Status for such a fantastic opportunity for fitness models to showcase their hard work and beauty! Great job to all the photographers, hair and makeup artists, and stylists! What amazing, creative, talented people we have in the fitness industry!" - Lisa Bouvier Brewer

"I know that Status Fitness prides itself on selecting cover athletes that inspire others to aspire. To be given the opportunity of selecting ten athletes from such a strong group of over one hundred and fifty allowed me to get to know each athlete a little better as I sought those that best combined marketable good looks with a strong physique. It was an amazing field of talent. I am definitely looking forward to getting to know the 2011 group of athletes." - David Ford

"I was so happy to see that so many great girls entered the Status Fitness competition! It made my job looking through the pictures a lot of fun. A quick tip for the girls in the next competition: The most a picture should be cropped is from the top of the head to the mid thighs. We want to see your body. Not too much retouching on the face either. When I see a very retouched image, I always wonder how much has been altered, and it becomes too big of a gamble to vote." - Sarah Orbanic

"I found it extremely hard to choose the top 10 in this competition, it was easy to pick out ten of my favorites, but very hard to put the girls in order. I wish they could be all winners! So for those who didn't make it on the cover my advice is to try again! Next time might be your turn! " - Eva Simon

"i was honored to have been part of the selection process for the status cover model search. generally speaking, the final contestants who caught my attention first and foremost were those who displayed the physical attributes most suitable to represent status thusly photographed to display them accordingly. many were impressive, a few were astounding. when submitting an image for consideration to a physical fitness magazine such as status, simply 'good enough' isn't. consequently, those who warranted my vote for next level consideration had marketed themselves appropriately by working with professional photographers and not taking the value of good craftsmanship too lightly. the difference was obvious and showed in the end result of each contestant's campaign. it's important to know that each of the contestants worked hard to get where they are; it was impressive to see those who warranted my votes took the initiative to display their pride with exceptional photography combined. it is, after all, a print magazine. the choices were difficult to narrow down to only a few. kudos to all those who made it to that level from the thousands of initial contestants. but in the end, those who i felt should win based on merit were those who grabbed my attention among the many finalists with better imagery. congratulations to the few for whom i voted...many of you know who you are. wishing you all the best." - Oscar Rabeiro
"There were a lot of contestants and all of them looked terrific. It was tough to make a decision." - Larry Niven

"It was a very tough field. In contest such as this, it is imperative that you have to have a good photo representative of your physicality. It is your face in front of the judges and the voting public. Good photos will always give you an edge." - Noel Daganta

Congratulations to every athlete that participated in this exciting contest. Here are the final results based on a cutoff time of 9PST/12EST, January 31, 2011.

The Status Fitness Cover Model Contest - Top 100

1.     Melissa Morrison
2.     Mindy Karuk
3.     Fiola Biork
4.     Tianna Ta
5.     Lori Ann Harder
6.     Svetlana Romanova
7.     Jenna Renee Webb
8.     Holly Bricken
9.     Amy Layne
10.   Shannon Lynch
11.   Josee Poirier
12.   Tanis Tzavaras
13.   Audrey Dippenaar
14.   Gretchen Coley
15.   Brooke Nicole
16.   Diane Silvernale
17.   Alea Suarez
18.   April Deweese
19.   LM Prestin
20.   Sasha Staden
21.   Jeni Briscoe
22.   Tonya Jo Carter
23.   Leigh Brandt

24. Krissy Adams-Schofield

25. Webly Alfred

26-100 (Alphabetical Order)

Alisha Berg
Allison Ethier
Aman Takhar
Amara Kockler
Amy Jo Palmquest
Annette Perry
Ashley Rich
Aubrey Worek
Boyn Shin
Bree Lind
Caitlyn Bellamy
Candee k Meiring
Channa Shumaker
Chantayn Winner
Chantel DeBoer
Chantel Nienabar
Chazz Anderson
Cherie Lynn Chase
Cheyenne Prawdzik
CJ Caprio
Claire Rae
Claudia Laicaharu
Dayna Maleton
Denise Sellers
Diana Chaloux
Diane Geddes
Emily Hellman
Holly Stanbrough
Jackie Haas
Jade Lipton
Janine Tweeten
Jennifer Cullen
Jennifer Traino
Jenny Lynn Van Den Beld
Joy Elizabeth Trimble
Juliette Primak
Karen Riedel Gallagher
Katelynn Cashin
Katie Baleno
Katie Vom Sheidt
Kim Lachapelle
Krissy Adams Schofield
Kristyn Nicole Million
Laura Cavender
Makayla Ring
Melissa Gearheart
Melissa Larsen
Melissa Yates
Michelle Cagle
Micki Fisher
Missy Leone
Nanci Rose
Natalie Dudina
Nichelle Naus
Nicole Moneer Guerro
Olga Svyrydova
Olya Haidner
Rachel Elizabeth Murray
Rhiannon Genov
Rita Catolino
Roberta Thielen
Sarah Farr
Sarah Scotford
Shannon Petralito
Shavon Struthers
Sherry Ann Jensen
Stella Vidal
Tannis Miller
Tara Minacs
Tasha Gullickson
Tiffany Tillinger
Traci Lee Helgerson
Wendy Feth
Zarah Paceco

IMPORTANT - IMAGES FOR SUBMISSIONS (Emails will be sent out shortly with information regarding the next step.)

For the Status Fitness Top 100 special feature, Status will require a high rez (Images should be portrait format no less then 3000pixels on the vertical side), exclusive professional image for publication. Status Fitness requires that all submissions be fully released images, meaning, the person submitting has the right to do so. Images must not be from shoots submitted to any other magazine nor from shoots posted anywhere online. For general submission tips and suggestions, please review David Ford's Blog section on this site as he offers information and touches on many important submission guidelines.

Status Fitness holds a monthly contest to secure a group of 150 or so athletes for the finals as seen in the 2010 contest on Facebook. If you would like to register for this great ongoing opportunity, please visit the website. It is open to every fit female from around the world. Thank you to everyone for your incredible support of this contest. Status and the athletes appreciate it.

The 2011 Status Fitness Cover Model Contest has started and is currently active at www.statusfitnessmagazine.com.

~ Status Fitness Team