CHAY SANTINI

Tampa, Florida

"Why not try?" Chay Santini, 22, lives by that credo, and so far it has served her well.

Santini's willingness to tackle new challenges has helped her move toward a career either in front of, or behind, the cameras. In less than a year since graduating from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Studio Art, she has already landed a part in the latest Adam Sandler movie, "The Water Boy." Even more telling, this young Puerto Rican has begun laying the foundation for her ultimate dream: her own television fitness show for teenagers and pre-teens.

Without television industry connections, Santini wrote a letter about her program idea to one of her role models, Gilad, host of the cable television show "Bodies in Motion." He responded with a personal phone call offering encouragement, and has since critiqued the sample video she's produced about her program.

"I've learned to just go for it," she says. "Nothing is stopping me." And that is exactly the message Santini hopes to share with other young women.

BACK

---