By Jim Knippenberg / Enquirer staff writer

PHOTO GALLERY

Apprentice hopefuls

Here's what we don't know: Will a Cincinnatian be picked today at the auditions for the spring season of Apprentice?

And here's what we do know: A wildly diverse group of locals is headed to Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal for the auditions.

Trista Jones Manigault of Wyoming plans to try out for the Apprentice television show Friday August 6th, 2004 at the Cincinnati Museum Center. (The Enquirer/Brandi Stafford)

We know because the Enquirer invited hopefuls to come in and strut the stuff they were hoping would get them into Donald Trump's inner sanctum. Forty-eight people ranging from 22 to 77 (19 women, 29 men) came dressed in their finest business wear.

We got entrepreneurs, company owners, real estate agents, teachers, sales execs, financial advisers, grad students, a CEO, a publisher, a customer service rep, an attorney, a law student and a personal trainer, to name a few.

Some admitted they were playing hooky. Some took vacation days. Some snuck out of work early or just disappeared from their desks for an hour. Most were planning to take a vacation day to attend today's audition.

Auditions

Where: Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate When: Wristbands handed out 9 a.m. today; interviews begin at 10 a.m. Hint: A number of people at our photo shoot Monday indicated they would be getting there as early as 6 a.m. Cost: Free Information: www.nbc.com, follow the links

But even with the diversity, there were two things all had in common: Confidence and competitiveness.

As sales exec Valerie Danber said, "My chances of getting on the show are excellent because I'm totally confident in my abilities."

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I had a chance," said graphic designer Kristen Folzenlogen.

Another hopeful, financial services rep Rich Jackson, said, "My wife thinks my chances are pretty good because I'm awfully competitive. Once the juice starts flowing, I absolutely force myself to succeed."

Each respondent was asked to fill out a questionnaire that included the question, "My friends will tell you I'm ..." The most frequent answer was dependable, but we also got smart, loyal, conscientious, driven, resourceful, extroverted and creative.

So what if one gets lucky? What happens to their job during a TV shoot lasting six weeks or so?

"I'll take a sabbatical," said Xavier University prof Aaron Baba.

"I run two businesses right now. I'd turn one over to my partner and hire someone to run the second.

"Man, you just gotta seize the day," said coffee shop owner Rick Monsipapa.

E-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com