Local model experiences 'most memorable day of my life' at Oscars

It's been two days since Algonquin native Lauren Gish appeared at the Academy Awards, and her agent's phone is still ringing off the hook.

Gish, 20, a professional model and a 2007 graduate of Jacobs High School, was selected to escort celebrities offstage while wearing the winning Oscar Design Challenge dress by Chicago designer Sam Kori George.

The high-profile gig required long hours of preparation for Gish, and when the big day arrived, her nerves nearly got the best of her.

"I don't get star-struck - but when (the show) started, I wanted to throw up. Nothing would make me stop shaking. I turned my head and Brad Pitt is staring right at me, and Meryl Streep is right in front of me - I had to take a deep breath and calm myself down, and say, 'Lauren, get yourself together,'" she said, laughing. "But I also felt more beautiful than I've ever felt in my whole life."

Wearing the strapless, platinum-colored crepe gown with a large orchid below the hip, Gish got to hobnob with dozens of A-listers. She described Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon as "the nicest people you've ever met."

Gish started modeling a few years ago, and despite some "miserable" experiences early on, her career took off when she moved to Los Angeles last year. She's walked fashion runways around the world and appeared in national commercials for companies like Mervyn's.

Gish believes her "super goofball" personality helped her get chosen to model George's dress. His design beat out gowns by six other finalists, including one by Palatine native and Michelle Obama fave Maria Pinto.

Gish described the Academy Awards as one of the most memorable days of her life. It was for her father, too.

"I kept looking at the TV and thinking, 'Oh my God. It's my daughter!'" beamed Lynn Gish, of Algonquin. "My son was a big football star, and people used to say to her, 'We know your brother.' But now it will be the other way around."

Just a few years ago, Gish's weekends involved performing with the Christian Youth Theater group, poms or dancing. This weekend, she'll be modeling for designer Ed Hardy and at a Barbie doll tribute show in L.A.

"I'm no celebrity," she said. "I'm just incredibly blessed."