Discovery Girls is a magazine geared toward ‘tweens, those girls between the ages of 8 and 12, offering advice and insight on issues that affect girls growing up today. Each issue features a dozen girls from one of the 50 states, sharing their thoughts on life in their home state. The magazine boasts a readership of more than 700,000 ‘tweens, and no doubt, several of the Newtown subscribers were thrilled to open the Connecticut issue that arrived in mailboxes Friday, January 16, and see Paige’s familiar face looking back at them.

Paige and 11 other girls from all over Connecticut spent two days in late June taking part in a New York City photo shoot for the magazine. The girls were selected from more than 4,000 ‘tweens that submitted answers to 12 questions that probed their hopes, passions, and personal qualities.

“Within six months of her subscribing, Paige had received a letter asking if she would be interested in participating in this contest,” said Ms Fedorchek. The letter was the impetus that propelled Paige into what would become one of the most exciting moments of her life.

“I had to answer 12 questions and submit headshots that showed my own style,” said Paige. “The answers were long paragraphs, too. Then I made the questionnaire into a binder, sort of in a scrapbook style. I used lots of color, because that is one of the things I am known for. I love color,” Paige said.

Paige, who dreams of becoming a fashion designer one day, thought that by taking the time to make her submission outstanding — “I used headlines for my photos, like in the one where I am wearing a polka dot outfit, I called that page ‘Polka Dot Madness,’ and another one where my top and bag were flowery, I called ‘Floral Fever,’ and things like that. I tried to make the cover bright, too,” said Paige — that she can use the project as a tool when she applies to the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan one day, something she is already thinking about.

She submitted thoughtful answers to questions like “Who is the one person who always inspires you to do your best?” (Her Aunt Vanessa), “What is your coolest quality? (Her eye for fashion, colors, and design), and “What is your biggest worry about growing up?” (Peer pressure.)

Paige spelled out her specific concern about her biggest worry in the paragraph and shared, as well, how she deals with peer pressure. By keeping open the lines of communication with her parents, Paige answered in the questionnaire, she can often find answers to her questions. “They always have good advice and always encourage me to ask when I am uncertain or uneasy about something. I am lucky to have so much support,” wrote Paige.

Peer pressure does not worry her to the point that she is intimidated into being someone other than who she is, though, by any means. “My goal in school is to steer away from the very pricey clothes and labels that a lot of girls want. We’re still growing and changing, so why spend a lot on things you aren’t going to have for long?” asked Paige. She prefers to find pieces she can put together with her own knack at places like Delia’s, Wet Seal, and Target. She is excited about the shiny silver Ugg boots that she got for Christmas, however. “I like to be different, but not too different,” admitted Paige.

After submitting her entry, cleverly titled “Discover Me,” in March 2008, the Fedorcheks waited anxiously for a response from the magazine. “They said the winners would be posted online and we looked and looked, and then I stopped looking and sort of lost hope,” said Paige. But when she came home one day in May and found out that Discovery Girls had called, she jumped for joy, bouncing on the couch and screaming.

“We were so excited,” said Ms Fedorchek. “This magazine is all about hopes and dreams, so when she said she wanted to do this, we put it out there. You keep your fingers crossed and when the call comes, you are so filled with a mix of emotions. I was actually speechless when [Julia Clause, the associate fashion editor] called,” Ms Fedorchek said.

“I think I was selected because I added a lot of detail to my application and because of my writing — the words I used, and the way I put them together was strong,” said Paige.

The first day of the photo shoot took place on a sunny June day in Central Park, and on pages 6 and 7, and 10 and 11 of the newest issue, scheduled to be available to nonsubscribers the weekend of January 24, Paige and the other Connecticut representatives can be seen making the most of a fun afternoon as they picnic and ponder the question: What’s Hot in Connecticut?

The second day of the shoot was in a studio off of West 33rd Street. The results of that day are on pages 8 and 9, along with responses about these Discovery Girls’ dreams. Paige also contributed input for “The Great Debate” column.

While connecting with the different personalities of the other 11 girls was sometimes challenging over the course of the two-day shoot, said Paige, it is an experience she will never forget. “I never really thought I’d ever be in a magazine. I’m flattered to have been selected,” she said. “This magazine is for real girls.”

She had already shared her preview issue with friends and teachers at school, said Paige, but she was shocked when a girl she didn’t know recognized her on Monday, after the issue had arrived in the mail. “She said, ‘I saw your face in the magazine and I knew you went to my school!’ That really surprised me,” Paige said.

She may have to get used to the fame as she darts about between Cadette Girl Scout and Parks and Rec basketball activities in the upcoming weeks, but for Paige, this moment takes her one step closer to her dream of being a part of the fashion industry.

“For myself and my husband, Dan,” said Ms Fedorchek, “this is a key that opens the door to her future, that will help get her what she wants. I’ve watched her not do the norm and she’s her own girl. She has ‘fresh’ eyes. I’d love to see where this goes.”