Alisa Bernardo couldn’t believe her eyes when she spotted an acceptance letter in her inbox from Top Model UK.

The 15-year-old knew it was a long shot when she applied for entry into the professional model search competition.

Two weeks ago she learnt she had not only made the cut for the British competition, but was also confirmed as a grand finalist in Top Model Worldwide 2016.

“I originally only applied to Top Model UK because it’s a smaller branch of the competition, but they were interested in my look and said I’d be eligible to represent Bermuda in the international competition as well,” Alisa said. “I was thrilled and honoured to have the opportunity.

“I was jumping up and down and running around my house after I found out. I was actually home alone when I first read the e-mail.

“I called my mom. I was so excited. She was ecstatic as well.”

Alisa will fly to the UK next week for the first stage of training and coaching.

In March, there’ll be another round of rehearsals to determine who makes it to the grand finale at the Hilton London Metropole on April 1 and 2.

The Warwick Academy student said she just hopes to learn as much as she can.

“I’m mostly looking forward to getting the experience and hearing advice from the professionals because I really think this is a time now where I can improve my walk and train so I’m at the highest international standard,” she said.

“I’ll hopefully gain a lot of exposure from this and maybe even find an agency to sign with.

“My ultimate dream would be to open designer shows in fashion weeks around the world — in Paris, Milan and London.

“A big dream of mine is also to become a Victoria’s Secret angel.”

Alissa got interested in modelling by watching the hit television show, America’s Next Top Model.

“I think I was also inspired by my sister, Leticia. She’s a product manager at Berghaus, a big outdoor company in the UK,” Alisa said.

“While she was in school studying fashion and design technology at the University of Manchester, I remember looking at her sketchbooks and always wanting to be on the runway modelling them.

“I think it’s something that runs in our family. My dad is really creative, but I think we probably really inherited it from our mom’s side. My grandmother, Eileen, loved fashion and wanted my mom to become a model, but my mom wasn’t as confident doing it.

“I think that’s one of the reasons she really pushed me to be confident and do whatever it is I want to do. Her support has pushed me and my sister to become the best we can be.”

Another huge inspiration was former international model and pageant trainer, Diane Whittaker Maughan.

The owner of Creme de la Creme International taught her basic modelling skills and how to be confident in her own skin.

“I used to be very shy, both inside and outside of school, and now I’m finding myself in more professional business situations where I’m presenting myself really well,” Alisa said. “On top of that my posture has improved from modelling and my overall appearance has come a long way over the past year.

“I actually started modelling seriously around this time last year and things took off soon after that.

“There was a designer from London named Rhona Sutton who came to Bermuda to do a fashion show at Coral Beach last May and I was in her show. That was my first runway show ever.”

It was an “eye-opening” experience.

“Just from the rush of being backstage and the quick changes I learnt a lot,” she said.

“It was really fun too. It made me even more confident about my direction to pursue modelling professionally because I found once I was on the runway everything came together. I felt fearless and really comfortable with my look and my walk.

“I was proud of myself and the fact I was doing something like that. For me it’s a big achievement. It feels like I’m living my dream.

“I never thought I’d get this far to where I’m expanding my modelling on an international level and it’s getting me a lot of exposure, more than I could have asked for.

“It’s just a really amazing opportunity and a huge privilege.”

Lusso will sponsor some of her clothes for the trip; family friends Jim and Debbie Butterfield will help with travel costs.

Alisa hopes to raise money for Top Model UK’s charity, Children with Cancer UK. Visit: http://uk.virgin moneygiving.com/AlisaBernardo