Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Sara Bognanno poses for photographer Barry Robinson in preparation for her interview for ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Sunday at Stoney Creek Inn.

In the fashion industry, a model’s big break can happen almost anywhere. Even in a hotel bar in St. Joseph.

Dreamers by the dozens lined up to apply for a spot on “America’s Next Top Model” on Sunday at Stoney Creek Inn.

Some of those dreams ended at the door, where the prospective models were measured to make sure they met the height requirement. The sign says if you’re under 5’7”, you need not apply.

Nervous applicants waited in the bar with parents, boyfriends or alone until their number was called. Once that happened, their application was reviewed and, if it was satisfactory, they moved into a waiting room where they traded stories with other girls. One by one, they left the room for interviews, then went home, where they will wait for a phone call to tell them if they qualify for the next round of tryouts.

Danielle Woldruff said she wasn’t worried about measuring up. The 5 foot, 10 inch blonde from Hopkins, Mo., made the cut to the top 50 last year, though she fell just short of a spot in the final tryouts in Los Angeles.

“I never felt short in my life until I went there,” she said. “Almost every girl in the room was 6 feet tall.”

Miss Woldruff said Sunday’s routine was fairly low-key. The interview consisted of a few questions about her modeling aspirations and a runway walk.

Sara Bognanno drove up from Overland Park, Kan., only to find out that her application was one picture short. The women were supposed to submit three photographs — a head shot, a full-length shot and a swimsuit shot — and Miss Bognanno’s full-length swimsuit photo could not be used twice. Before she left, local photographer Barry Robertson offered to take a quick picture for the application. After a few shots outside the front door, Miss Bognanno was in the competition.

Ms. Bognanno has modeled before and said she hopes her experience pays off. Her agency in Kansas City requires all of its models to attend classes for two to three months.

“I’ve had some basic training in walking and posing, and all of that is important because it helps you know what angles to give the photographer for the best shot,” Ms. Bognanno said.

Lacy McGuire has posed for advertising shots for Mr. Robertson, but the Central High School student did not take a shot at television stardom Sunday. At 17, she was a year too young to apply. If the show returns next year, she’ll be at the front of the line.

“I don’t care, even if it’s in St. Louis or Kansas City, I’m going,” she said.

Business reporter Clinton Thomas can be reached at clintonthomas@npgco.com.