Hey everyone!

i just wanted to post this to tell people what Ive been up to lately!

After the show i deceided to go college to better myself in my education!

Its so much fun! I still see friends from my old school so I feel right at home, its been so awesome, basicly because everyone who sees me knows me from the show! Thank you everyone for all the support! Im still waiting for an agency, but my day will come!

Well thats it for now! Bye!

KARI AMERICAs NEXT TOP MODEL

Q) Who is your favorite designer?

A) I'm a big fan of Marc Jacobs. The style is very much what I wear and he creates awesome clothes that are affordable.

Q) Why did you decide to apply for the show?

A) My grandma, actually, found out about the audition and she encouraged me to go. That's the main reason I went!

Q) What was it like meeting Tyra Banks?

A) Tyra is very cool and down to Earth. She took care of us! She talked to us when the cameras were on and when they were off and made sure to take care of us.

Q) What did you learn most about modeling from the show?

A) I learned that you should just be yourself because it helps since your personality comes through in your photo shoots. It's good to really be who you are and interact with people. Just really stick to your roots and beliefs.

Q) Why do you think they chose Gina over you?

A) I don't really know. They weren't very satisfied with her pictures or her walking, so I am not really sure why they chose Gina over me. She is the first Asian woman to be on the show so she needs to represent different races. She was doing a good job and needs to keep going. I think they were trying to give her an opportunity to show more of who she is.

Q) Did you ever spend time practicing walking and posing in the house?

A) No, because we didn't get much down time in the house and if we did, we were usually sleeping. I never actually practiced too much in the house.

Q) Have you been through any posing or walking training since being on the show?

A) Nope, I haven't been through anything like that since the show.

Q) What did your parents say when you called them after your having trouble with your walk?

A) My family is very supportive and they are always very much behind me. It's hard for them to see me gone and homesick, a little bit. They were just giving me advice, staying positive and telling me to just enjoy the experience and to do the best I can.

Q) What was your first reaction to learning that you had to model with bugs?

A) No one really likes handling cockroaches, but it actually didn't bother me that bad. Bugs don't bother me that bad where I freaked out or anything. I could have done without then, too.

Q) Who do you plan on keeping in touch with from the show?

A) Sarah and I were very close. Leslie and Sarah were my two roommates so I keep in touch with them. I keep in touch with Danielle very often and Mollie. I keep in touch with a lot of the girls and make sure they are doing okay and that we go through this experience together.

Q) What are you going to do now that you are no longer on the show?

A) Right now I am still in school as a freshman in college. I'm just going to school and taking some classes. I'm also working and after the show I hope to go on and do some modeling things. Hopefully, some opportunities will open up and I'll go to New York or LA to pursue modeling.

Q) What was your most memorable moment from being on the show?

A) I can't say there is a certain one that stands out more than others. It was really the whole of us being a bunch of girls living in the house. I would say that my favorite photo shoot was the ice one because we got to wear all of that jewelry. It was a good day so I think that would have to be my favorite.

Q) Who do you think will win "America's Next Top Model" this season?

A) I am routing for Sarah. She's my girl and doing a great job. I am hoping that she pulls through and keeps doing well. She's a great person and works hard.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I appreciate everyone supporting. I've been on UPN and was America's favorite for a while. That's a great feeling and I'm glad that there are people that support me and are behind me. I appreciate it so much! It's a hard industry to be in and to have people behind you is always a good thing.

On Wednesday night, seated at home with her parents, Lee and Pam, and her younger brother, Dan, Schmidt watched her elimination from the program.

She was the third of the 13 competitors to be eliminated, after stumbling during her runway walks.

While the TV program showed her in tears, two months later Schmidt is grateful for the experience.

"I wouldn't change anything for the world," says Schmidt, a first-semester student at South Dakota State University.

"I'm proud of what I did. Just being there was a great experience."

Schmidt is comfortable with how she was portrayed on the show, which is hosted by former model and talk-show host Tyra Banks.

"I'm a very laid-back girl, so on the show I wasn't shown a whole lot," she says. "I was more in the background, which is how I am."

While the contestants who bickered with each other received more air time, Schmidt says she was able to leave with lasting friendships.

She still talks to many of the other contestants at least once a week, Schmidt says.

At almost 5-foot-9, Schmidt was the shortest contestant. She found it amusing to be considered short, since at home she's the tallest among her friends.

Being a contestant helped hone her people skills, Schmidt says.

"Even if I don't continue modeling, this will help in the business world," says Schmidt, who is majoring in consumer affairs.

But she does hope she can continue in modeling a little longer.

"Modeling has always been in the back of my head," she says. "But it's nothing I've been too ambitious about going after. Now I can see myself maybe, if I don't get a call or nothing goes my way, going out there and going to agencies."

Brookings residents, some of them strangers, offered enormous support during the early airings of "America's Top Model," Schmidt says.

"I appreciate all the support I've gotten," she says. "People around the community have just been awesome. They tell me, 'I'm so proud of the way you represent Brookings.' "

Please Comment!