Nina Grill: Owner of Charmaine School & Model Agency

Who would have expected that a little girl born in 1938 in Communist Romania would grow up to not only be a model herself, but to also own and operate a modeling school in the United States? I'm talking about Nina Grill of Charmaine School & Model Agency.

Nina Grill, born Doina Maria Francisca Bendorfeanu, came to America with her mother, who was already a U.S. citizen, and brother in 1951 at the age of 12. "Because he was a General in the Romanian Army, as well as a physician, the Romanian government wouldn't allow my father to come to America with us, and died at the age of 62," remembers Nina. So, the trio headed for the States looking to make a life for themselves.

Her mother's parents lived in Fort Wayne, so this was the obvious choice for them to move and start their new lives. As a child, Nina went to Saint Paul's Catholic Elementary and Central High School in Fort Wayne. "I started in the 6th grade, but only spoke English at the 1st grade level," she says. Nina studied dance and violin while attending Central High School and actually played with the Scottish Rite Orchestra. This is also when Nina began to model. "Like everybody else I got involved with music and dance, so that's how I got involved with modeling at 15." After graduation from high school, Nina then attended International Business College where she studied Business. After receiving her degree, she went on to major in Liberal Arts at Indiana University.

Nina began modeling professionally for Bobbi Ray, a local modeling agency. Under the direction of Bobbi Ray, Nina modeled in Fort Wayne for 10 years. She did fashion shows, TV commercials and print modeling for the agency. She soon began teaching other models at Bobbi Ray and went on to take the lead of Director. After some time, Nina decided to spend more time on the other side of the camera. "After I had my daughter I got completely out of modeling myself and just start teaching modeling."