A prestigious model search sponsored by More Magazine and Wilhelmina Modeling Agency has chosen Getty Israel of Natchez as one of the 10 finalists from a field of 15,000 entrants nationwide.

Israel, 42, will compete with the nine other finalists to be one of

three winners, who will be given contracts with the Wilhelmina agency and prizes worth more than $76,000.

&uot;In my 20s, I pursued modeling and acting, just looking for my purpose,&uot; said Israel, who spent some time in Atlanta and Chicago during her early adult years.

&uot;Basically, I was told I was too exotic. I knew people in New York would view me differently. If anyone could see this African face as beautiful, it would be More Magazine and Wilhelmina.&uot;

The New York City competition will be July 20-22, including a fashion show and photo shoot as well as parties to honor the finalists.

Israel will sit for some of the most famous hair and makeup artists in the world, said Lois Joy Johnson,

beauty and fashion director for More Magazine. And Israel and other

finalists will don clothes by designers such as Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta.

More Magazine features women 40 and older. It has conducted the model search each year since its founding five years ago.

&uot;We use women in every feature who are over 40,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;We started to speak to top model agencies and found a new and growing need for fantastic-looking models in their 40s.&uot;

Johnson said the searches each year have been successful. &uot;We look for someone who has a great way of relating in front of a camera, great body language &045;&045; someone with a kind of real, healthy, natural and modern look. And we look for diversity in our 10 finalists.&uot;

The judges look at every entry, Johnson said. &uot;We felt Getty had something special.&uot;

Israel relishes the opportunity to compete and sees her selection as a finalist as a validation of her looks by the fashion and beauty industry. &uot;This is not a face you see on TV or in the movies,&uot; she said. &uot;This is not sold as being beautiful. The image that I represent has been excluded from selling beauty products, feminine products and anything else sold to the American woman.&uot;

Entering the contest was not an unusual thing for her to do, Israel said. &uot;My whole life has been about gutsy moves. Spiritually, I see this as the Creator giving me the opportunity to serve. This is not about my being told I’m pretty. I need this opportunity.&uot;

Israel is known as an activist. She rallies behind causes only after careful study of issues.

In recent years, her passion for teaching families to improve nutrition and learn about natural health care has led her to write her first book, with the working title of &uot;How to Raise a Healthy Family on a Shoe-String Budget.&uot;

Israel grew up in Jefferson County, which she describes as &uot;rural Mississippi, the most beautiful place in the world.&uot;

She salutes her forebears for all they accomplished. &uot;My greatest influence comes from my ancestors,&uot; she said. &uot;I draw on their strength, knowing I’m standing on their shoulders.&uot;

With a marketing degree from Jackson State University, Israel now is pursuing a master’s degree in public health at JSU.

&uot;I’m on a journey to find out why I am here. First I want to be the best parent I can for my son and second I want to serve other people,&uot; she said.