You remember how your friend Sara Albert was on the show America's Next Top Model, well here is another Fanconi connection for the show. I said that Madeline Finnegan was the prettiest Fanconi patient ever. Now she'll be even more beautiful.

'ANTM' Judge Makes Dreams Come True

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Though it may seem as if he's capable of crushing a model's aspirations on TV, Nigel Barker is actually out to fulfill wishes – for one lucky 13-year-old girl, that is.  The America's Next Top Model judge has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help out teenager Madeline Finnegan, who has held on to dreams of becoming a famous fashion model for some time.

Finnegan, who hails from the town of Huntsville, Alabama, was flown to New York recently to get the full top model treatment, from the hair to the make-up and of course, the wardrobe.  Afterwards, she accomplished her goal of being photographed by one of the industry's best – Nigel Barker.  She came home with a portfolio compiled by the America's Next Top Model personality, which she truly delighted in.

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When interviewed, Madeleine couldn't contain her excitement.  “It's pretty cool," she exclaimed.  “I'm not really nervous now, but I'm sure when the day comes I will be.”

This eighth-grader from Hampton Cove Middle School was fortunate enough to have her mother, Nancy Finnegan, write to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Apparently, Madeline and her older brother Blaise both have a rare blood disorder known as Fanconi anemia.  It could cause bone marrow failure, and often leads to leukemia.  While their health is stable for now, they might still need bone marrow transplants in the future.

Last summer, their mother decided to do something extraordinary and make Madeline's dream a reality.  Eventually, it paid off and the whole family was invited to stay in New York for four days to see how Madeline works it in front of the America's Next Top Model judge.  But in the end, it was all about having fun.

“My friends are so excited.  They've been asking me to take tons of pictures, which I will,” she said.

America's Next Top Model is set to air its 12th season later this month on the CW.  The 13 contestants have been revealed, with Tyra Banks, J. Alexander, Paulina Porizkova and Nigel Barker returning as judges.


-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: CW, The Huntsville Times
(Image Courtesy of the CW)

Hey Henry. Check this out. Remember Sara, the girl who used to sit with you in the hospital and clinic at Georgetown. I wrote you a long time ago to give you an update on her when she was still in school.

Well she is on TV now and they wrote about her in the newspaper today.





March 16, 2006

The Look of the 'Next Top Model'?

For more than two decades, David Bradley 's Advisory Board Co. has been the D.C. destination for Ivy Leaguers and other smart young things -- an intellectual boot camp that pushes its whiz kids to their limits while molding them for leadership in corporate America.

Yeah, but can it show 'em how to turn it out on the runway? A young Advisory Board researcher has emerged as an early favorite on high-camp reality show "America's Next Top Model." Sara Albert , 22, a recent Georgetown grad, was shopping at Pentagon City last summer when a casting agent spotted her willowy blondness. She made the cut as one of the 13 top contestants; on last week's premiere, she turned heads.

"This is fierce !," judge Jay Manuel exclaimed as Albert posed in a bald cap (then warned another model: "That [bad girl] turned it out, so you better represent "). Judge J. Alexander proclaimed her "my 6-foot-1 Scarlett Johansson !" though Hoya Web sites put the former volleyball star at 6-3.

Yet, Albert still has her day job. A bad sign? "I'm not allowed to do any sort of press until after the show," she said.

Here is her page from the TV show. I really hope she does well. Isn't that something!

http://www.upn.com/shows/top_model6/models/sara.shtml

Dear Henry:

Guess what. Your hospitals played each other yesterday. Georgetown University Hoyas beat the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in basketball. I looked to see how Sara's season went and she got a lot of awards for playing so well. Here is the story I found.

Georgetown Volleyball Announces 2002 Team Awards

March 31, 2003

Washington, DC— Georgetown Volleyball Head Coach Li Liu announced the winners of the 2002 Georgetown Volleyball Team Awards at the annual banquet held at Maggiano’s. Awards were handed out for Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player, Leadership, 100% and Coach's Award.

Sophomore middle blocker Sara Albert (Davis, Calif./Davis) received the 2002 Coach’s Award. Albert led Georgetown and the BIG EAST all season long in hitting percentage with a .411 average on the strength of 257 kills with just 58 errors in 484 attempts. The .411 hitting percentage also ranked her seventh in the nation among Division I players. In addition, Albert led the team in blocks with 139, including 32 solo stops, and was second on the squad in kills with the 257 total. She picked up BIG EAST Player of the Week honors during the week of October 7 after recording a triple-double performance against Miami. Albert had 11 kills, 11 digs and 10 blocks in the Hoyas’ 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes.

I am sorry you never got to see her play. I know she cared about you a lot.

I love you.

Dad