By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Aug 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Saturday's competition was fierce, but Marteisha Dunson emerged as the winner of Milwaukee's Top Model Search, presented by OnMilwaukee.com and Milwaukee Magazine.

The 23-year-old Milwaukee native out-walked nine other finalists for the grand prize package which includes two round-trip tickets from AirTran, a professional photo shoot from Stenten Rowe Studios, an interview in an upcoming issue of Milwaukee Magazine and at OnMilwaukee.com, participation in Lela's fifth annual "Tents Under Broadway" fashion event this September, five practice ballroom dance lessons and two practice dance parties at Fred Astaire, a lifelong subscription to Milwaukee Magazine, media exposure and the opportunity to serve an advisory role for Milwaukee's Top Model 2010.

Originally scheduled for Bradford Beach, the Aug. 8 event was relocated to the Hi-Hat Garage due to poor weather conditions. It was there that the three judges -- Milwaukee Magazine Fashion Editor Nicole Weresch, photographer Dale Stenbroten, and local fashion designer Shanel Regier -- watched and rated as the top 10 finalists strut their stuff.

They chose Danielle Jones, 21, of Milwaukee, as runner-up.

Dunson, a business and marketing student at Cardinal Stritch University, has no prior modeling experience, but hopes that this experience will lead to more industry opportunities in the future.

"Family and friends would always tell me that I should try to pursue (modeling), I just never had the confidence to try it out, until now," she says. "I love walking that runway so hopefully I can continue to be in different shows across the world."

The other nine finalists were Sarah Brackney, Kyle Freymiller, Joanna Gaar, Sarah Gallenberger, Sarah Golata, Danielle Jones, Janel Meyer, Cassia Nedweski and Mitchell Olszewski.