HNTM finale: A Senior's first and last memory down the runway

The long and fun journey of Housing's Next Top Model finally came to an end April 28 at the Residential Learning Community poolside.
As the competition got tougher, models were cut at each elimination round, bringing a larger crowd than ever for their final. The crowd was ecstatic, holding signs supporting their favorite models.
The judges included: Leslie Gonzalez, Belen Garcia, Laura Martinez (Career Services), Johnny Espinoza (last year's winner), and Manuel Vela (guest judge and creator of HNTM).
Unlike the other elimination rounds that consisted of only one runway walk, the finale consisted of three different runway challenges which included: portraying a Texas A&M International University student, business attire, and lastly, formal wear. "Be Yourself" was the photo shoot challenge theme.
In the first runway the models had to portray "what it is to be a TAMIU student". Model Hector Perales, who placed 2nd in the competition and won a prize of $100, came out to Flo Rida's Right Round in a nerdy getup complete with glasses, books, and a backpack, only to soon throw his book and glasses behind him and rip off his clothes to reveal a maroon and white TAMIU cheerleading outfit.
He flipped and jumped down the runway and onto the stage.
In his second runway, Perales strutted his business look wearing dark blue jeans, a gray button down shirt, black tie, black shoes with matching belt, and cool shades to top it all off. He demanded the crowd's attention, but when they weren't screaming loud enough for him, he ripped off his belt and slammed it on the stage. The judges and the crowd loved this, to say the least, and their cheering grew louder.
In his third and final runway, Perales made his black jacket and tie entrance to Justin Timberlake's Sexyback. His formal black suit complemented him very well and as he approached the first stage, he unbuttoned his jacket and swung it around his neck as he walked down the rest of the runway. According to the crowd, he won all three runway challenges for the night.
"This experience has been super amazing and if I could, I would do it again," said Perales about his journey on HNTM.
Gutierrez takes title
Jerry Gutierrez, who won the title of HNTM, the grand prize of $200 and a free $450 photo shoot, came booty dancing down the catwalk to a jam by Sean Paul dressed in TAMIU colors. His attire was complete with a TAMIU backpack and sunglasses.
For the second runway challenge, professional business attire, Gutierrez strutted down to Usher's OMG. Dressed in black from head to toe, Gutierrez shocked judges with his dance moves. "You showed some moves that I think no one else has ever seen before," Judge Martinez said.
For the formal runway Gutierrez busted out from behind the black curtain to Pit Bull's Hotel Motel. He had a shiny silver jacket zipped up as a prop that later revealed his vest, tie, and slacks.
Upon being named Housing's Next Top Model Jerry ecastically revealed, "This has been an awesome experience. I was very shy in the beginning but with the help of my supporters, I came out on top. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Senior keeps it classy
Senior Brenda Gutierrez placed 3rd in the competition and won $50. In her first runway, she came out to 3oh 3's Starstrukk wearing a girly pink TAMIU shirt with a matching ruffled skirt. For her props she had a spiral in her hand, a TAMIU key chain around her neck, and pencil in her long curly hair.
The judges loved how her walk improved through the competition and agreed that she was a very classy competitor.
We saw Brenda's sexy professional side in her second runway. As she walked down the poolside to The Black Eyed Pea's Meet Me Halfway in her gray pencil line dress with a thick black belt around her waist and silk black stilettos. Brenda also had a briefcase as a prop.
In her third and final runway Brenda wore a formal strapless purple dress that hit just below the knee. She accessorized her dress with black stilettos, pearls around her neck and wrists, and a flower tucked on the side of her ear.
In her photo, Brenda was in a science lab conducting an experiment complete with test tubes, chemicals, and a lab coat as she paid homage to her major.
This was somewhat of a bittersweet journey for Brenda as she admits, "This program is definitely out of my norm, so I feel that this was a great opportunity to get out of my shell a little and have great experiences with people that I probably would have been too shy to ever talk to."
Enrolling in HNTM as a senior provided Gutierrez with a one last college memory.
(Sarah Herrera may be reached at sarahrebecca
@dusty.tamiu.edu)