Karla Gilbert, 26, of Clinton, is among the top 20 contestants in maurices Main Street Model Search.

The contest drew more than 500 contestants from across the country. Each entrant created an online profile at www.mauricesmainstreetmodel.com. Voters then narrowed the search to 50, from which maurices selected 20 finalists who are travelling to Minneapolis, Minn. for a casting call on May 5 and 6.

The 20 finalists will go through a series of interviews, a hair and makeup session and test photos. A judging panel from maurices, along with celebrity judge and stylist Christopher Straub of Lifetime’s Project Runway, will select the winners. The 12 winning models will be announced on May 9.

The national women’s fashion retailer launched the campaign to find real women to represent maurices in its upcoming fall, holiday and spring campaigns. The seasonal photo shoots will take place in the models’ hometowns, featuring landmarks and other attractions that make their communities special. Each model will also receive $1,500 in maurices clothing, a Flip video camera to capture their path to becoming a maurices model, and $7,500 to designate to a nonprofit organization in her community.

Lori Cavendar of Readiness to Learn Foundation said that Gilbert chose Ryan’s House as her designated benefactor if she wins.

Maurices is the leading small town specialty store for the savvy, fashion-conscious girl with a 20-something attitude. Whidbey Island has a maurices in Oak Harbor at 721 East Pioneer Way. The chain operates more than 760 stores in 44 states.

Watch Gilbert on her contest entry video at http://www.mauricesmainstreetmodel.com/5271/karla-gilbert.