June 5, 2010...Local residents had a chance Friday to meet America’s Next Top Model Krista White as the Greater Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce and other supporters hosted a public reception for the Pine Bluff native at Saracen Landing.

White, a 2003 graduate of Pine Bluff High School, was announced winner of America’s Next Top Model’s 14th cycle on May 12.

On behalf of County Judge Mike Holcomb, Justice of the Peace Eddie Lunsford read a proclamation naming June 4, 2010 Krista White Day in Jefferson County.

“This is such a positive, exciting day for Pine Bluff,” Chamber co-director Michelle Rocha said. “She’s beautiful, but more importantly, she had determination to set a goal and keep going after it several times.  I think she is a great role model for the youth of our city.”

White said she first auditioned for the show in 2003 and continued to audition every year until she was accepted.

She said she would be in Pine Bluff until June 9, when she would travel to New York City to work on a Max Rave (clothing company) advertising campaign.

“The Max Rave campaign is a back-to-school campaign I’m doing for the company,” White said.  “It will go up in August, and they’re looking for their new fresh face so I’ll be hosting that for Max Rave.”

As part of winning Top Model, White was awarded contracts with Max Rave, CoverGirl and Seventeen magazine.

“I’ve already done the Seventeen shoot.  If you are a subscriber, you will have already gotten it, but it comes out in stores in the next couple of weeks.  The People magazine that’s out right now has (a story about) my CoverGirl campaign in it.”

White said she has also been invited to be a presenter at the next BET awards.

“I have a lot coming up. It’s going to be busy for me,” she said.

Zach Taylor, chairman of the Chamber board, presented White with an Arkansas Traveler citation and a citation on behalf of Gov. Mike Beebe’s office recognizing here success.

Gene Higginbotham of U.S. Rep. Mike Ross’ office and Tamika Edwards of U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s also praised White’s perseverance and success.

White was greeted with standing applause as she and her family arrived at Saracen Landing in a white limousine.

“I knew you would win, a woman in the audience shouted.

Kelly Hood said she and her six-year-old daughter Lilly had been looking forward White and were excited to see her.

“I think it’s great for Arkansas and great for Pine Bluff,” Hood said.  “She has done a good job representing Pine Bluff.”