People.com Celebrity 'Sports Illustrated' 's Swimsuit Model Search: Vote! Help the editors whittle down the competition by voting for your favorite amateur model By Justine Harman Published on February 14, 2011 03:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email 01 of 08 ELENA BAGUCI Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated Oltenita, RomaniaThis brown-haired, blue-eyed beauty got her break at 15 when her aunt brought her to a casting call in Bucharest. She loves to travel and has an insatiable appetite for learning about new cultures. Vote for your favorite in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Rookie Model Search here! 02 of 08 TAMARIS FREITAS Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated Belo Horizonte, BrazilBorn in Brazil and discovered in Milan, this globetrotter relies on prayer to keep her safe while traveling for work. 03 of 08 KASIA GOGOLKIEWICZ Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated Lodz, PolandShe's legally blonde! Kasia accidentally discovered modeling when she tagged along with a friend to a casting call, but always has her law degree to fall back on. 04 of 08 KATHY LEUTNER Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated Chantilly, Va.An old soul, Kathy loves antiquing with her mom and goes to great lengths to uncover pieces with history and untold stories. 05 of 08 CATRINEL MENGHIA Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated Iasi, RomaniaWinning the Rookie Model Search might be a wake-up call for the Romanian model who once fell asleep for hours on a Milan-bound train, leading her agency to believe she had been kidnapped! 06 of 08 JESSICA PEREZ Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated San Jose, Costa RicaShe's more than just a pretty face. Discovered in N.Y.C.'s SoHo, Perez has a degree in psychology and is involved in charities including Heartland Alliance and Dog Habitat Rescue. 07 of 08 ELISANDRA TOMACHESKI Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilScouted at 14, Elisandra keeps her body bikini-ready by practicing bikram yoga and pilates and playing volleyball. 08 of 08 JASMINE TOOKES Walker Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated Los AngelesA former gymnast and all-star pitcher, Tookes was introduced to the fashion industry by her mom, a wardrobe stylist. Vote for your favorite newbie in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Rookie Model Search here!