Casting representatives from the network paid a visit to the camp Thursday looking for two teens to appear on an episode of the reality series "Made."

Haeberle, a junior at Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, believes no matter how nice she is, her weight will deter her from her goals.

"They treat me so bad, and I don't deserve it," Amber said. "They call me names like 'Shrek' and make me feel as though I'm not worth anything."

Even though Amber can swim, her weight makes her ashamed of her body. In addition to her looks, Amber is worried about health concerns that come with being overweight.

"I'm on the verge of diabetes, and I'm worried that I'll have a heart attack at any moment," Amber said.

As Amber described her goal to be a swimmer and the day-to-day torment she withstands at school, camp-mate Jessica Bolber interrupted to tell Amber how pretty she is and to sympathize with her.

"I'm sick of being made fun of, too," said Jessica, a 13-year-old from Florida.

"I want to be in the front of the cheerleading squad instead of always being stuck in the back just because I'm bigger than the other girls," she said.

MTV held a closed audition at New Image Camps in Effort.

Thirty-two girls and 18 boys out of the 600 kids who are participating in the weight-loss camp this summer tried out for the network's show "Made."

The network will make its final decision in two to three weeks, choosing one boy and one girl from Camp Pocono Trails.

Peter Mulherin, 15, of New York wants to be on the show because "the camp program never works for me out of the camp."

"I'm sick of it," he said with conviction. "I keep trying out for my school's wresting team, but I never make it."

Peter said he's made for "Made" because he's upbeat and charismatic.

The contestant who is chosen must have a secondary goal other than trying to loose weight, said casting director Cecily Pierce.

"We look to see if they have a reason that motivates them to achieve their specific goal. Basically we look for a story," she said.

"The person we select must have a dynamic personality that will captivate our audience, who will want them to excel," she added.

MTV will train those it accepts for one to two months. Many past contestants have reached their goals, but it's not guaranteed.

Contestants from previous seasons have tried to become "Made" into a hip hop dancer, a cheerleader, a beauty pageant queen and a skater chick.

"There was one episode when a fifth-year high school student needed help graduating," said MTV's "Made" casting assistant, Crista Scibelli.

Contestants undergo intensive training with the hopes of overcoming obstacles such as obesity, lack of self-esteem and peer pressure.

"I play baseball, but I'm always out at first base because I can't run fast enough," said 15-year-old Robert Levine, who is from New York. "My goal is to run a half marathon," he said.

Throughout the "Made" process contestants are provided with tutors, mentors, life coaches and trainers who will support them and plot out personalized training schedules.

New Image Camps at Camp Pocono Trails was founded by Tony Sparber, who designed the camp to provide the most comprehensive summer weight loss program for teens in the country.

Boys and girls, ages 7 to 18, enjoy more than 100 ways to have fun, from unique sports and fitness programs to off-site events and water activities.

"I went to a camp like this when I was a child, and my father ran a camp like this," Sparber said. "Twelve years ago I started my own camp with just 75 kids, and now I have three camps in different locations with over 1,000 kids," he said.

"Being overweight has become a trend," he added.

With rising child obesity causing diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, Sparber is not only concerned with the teens having a fun summer, but that they feel better about themselves and live healthier lives.

Copyright © July 30, 2004, Pocono Record
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