As a child, Lydia Code, senior, idolized the models on the television show “America’s Next Top Model.” However, she seldom thought she would be in a similar situation as she grew older.

“When I got older, I started to realize that maybe I could actually give modeling a try,” Code said.

At the beginning of her junior year, Code became familiar with an online organization called Vision Management after being noticed by their talent scouts at a show in Chicago. Vision Management is a modeling agency that helps models like herself find representation and job opportunities.

Code then discovered new opportunities with companies such as Aveda and Joynoelle. Aveda specializes in skin and hair care while Joynoelle creates clothing lines.

“Most of my friends think it’s pretty cool that I have modeling jobs and push me to try different things,” Code said. “My parents are more than supportive. My mom gets even more excited than I am about my events sometimes.”

Code has been receiving endless support from her friends and family since the beginning of her modeling career.

“When I first heard that Lydia wanted to model, I was more than excited. Her father and I encouraged her to try new things, and I think modeling was right for Lydia,” said Tina Code, Lydia’s mother.

The peak of Lydia’s modeling career so far has been the Aveda Showcase, highlighting skin care, cosmetics, perfume, and hair care products. The show required Lydia to travel through four different cities across six days, where she was featured along with nine other models. The show focused on hair products, and Lydia had her hair dyed a deeper red than her usually brightly-colored, natural hair.

“Some people had their hair cut onstage as part of the showcase,” Lydia said. “I only had mine dyed.”

Lydia walked the runway in Boston, Philadelphia, Sacramento, and Berkeley.

“I woke up after the Boston show, flew to Philadelphia, did a show that day, and then flew across the country straight to California for the Sacramento and Berkley shows,” Lydia said.

Traveling so much was a new experience for Lydia, who was originally uneasy about the entire showcase.

“I don’t travel very much normally,” Lydia said. “My dad came with me to Boston at first, but I began to feel comfortable pretty quickly, and he was able to go back home.”

Lydia immediately felt welcomed within the Aveda community and finished the showcase by traveling by herself for the first time.

“It was definitely something to get used to,” Lydia said. “I made friends with a lot of the models at the showcase right away. Modeling has been new to me, but I’m starting to really enjoy it.”