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.' "

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