Bri Jonasson shows off her four legged friends, Daizie and Bosco.

One of Dryden’s local residents, Briana Jonasson, will be representing our country at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, California.

Working with Nova Talent Agency, Jonasson will be competing in 6 different events of the championships in July.  She will be doing photo model, swimwear model, runway model, spokesperson, actress and vocalist.

Jonasson began her career with a few headshots by a Sudbury photographer. Jonasson has been working in modeling for approximately two years now, while maintaining honor roll grades through high school and post secondary.

“I love doing it, so I want to keep moving forward with it,” says Jonasson.

With a very strong family support team, Richard Jonasson, father of Briana, responds, “They know what they want in life.  All I want is to see them successful and happy.”

Speaking on the future of all three of his children, he also states, “I don’t direct them, I just support them in where they want to go.”

The young model applied online, to what is coined as “the Olympics for performing arts” and was accepted within days.  After a late night phone call from the acceptance team, Jonasson will be heading to Hollywood.

Fifty countries will be competing in the championships, with approximately ten members per team.  There are opportunities for medals and scholarships for the winners, but the exposure and networking is worth so much more.

Jonasson is in need of sponsors, as the fee is $5,000 to enter the competition.  Under a very short time frame, Jonasson has only three months to raise the funds needed.  She has developed a Facebook page to help her with this challenge.  With a passion for acting and modeling, this is an experience of a lifetime for the 20 year old.

- Ally Dunham