By Dan Hinde The Intelligencer If all goes well, Peter Casselman is headed for a career in business administration. But he might have a stop in the limelight before then. The 17-year-old grade 12 student at Centennial Secondary School was recently named one of 20 finalists out of about 10,000 in YM (Young & Modern) magazine's Young & Modern Man contest. Sponsored by clothing line Gitano, the contest is a search for a young and modern man as chosen by readers of the New York-based magazine through a ballot system. The winner and nominator will share in a $10,000 cash prize, a $3,000 scholarship and $300 shopping spree. The 1991 Young & Modern Man, Johnny Whitworth of Texas, has since signed a production deal with ABC Television and is now on his way to making a name for himself in Hollywood. Casselman, who lives with his family in Foxboro, was one of only three Canadians to make it to the final in the contest. And both he and close friend Melissa Lambert -- who nominated him -- are Melissa hoping for a victory; not just because of the cash and exposure, but for reasons of Canadian pride. Nothing would be better, Lambert says, than to see a Canadian get the nod in a U.S.-based magazine's contest against predominantly American contestants. "I think it would be good if a Canadian got recognition," says Lambert, an avid YM reader. Casselman, who is hoping to take business administration in university after completing his Ontario Academic Credit courses next year, says he has no plans for a future in modelling "unless it opens up." He calls himself "just a regular guy" who enjoys sports, music and weekend parties with his friends, but confides that, although being named a finalist in the contest is "an honor", he has mixed feel- with people I don't know," Casselman says, adding that he tends to be somewhat pessimistic about himself, yet optimistic about others. "He's shy," notes Lambert, Casselman's school chum for several years. "Pete's a really outgoing person and can pretty well be friends with anybody, but he doesn't like for people to get to know him very well unless he blows them well." Casselman enjoys reading and cites author Jack Kerouac as one of his heroes, although John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath is his favorite book. Coincidentally, Grapes of Wrath is his favorite rock band and Casselman, who enjoys going to concerts, is also a budding guitarist. "I like experimenting in sound," he says. The late James Dean is another of Casselman's idols. "Everyone else likes James (Dean) so much that I thought I'd just jump on the bandwagon," he says dryly. Casselman, who has two sisters, adheres to the philosophy "live and let live" and confesses that he would love to "live dangerously" by bungee-jumping, surfing and parachuting, should he ever have the chance. He enjoys skiing, basketball, hockey and rugby and, though he isn't a drama student, likes talking in front of people "as long as it isn't about myself." Casselman says he would buy a car if he was fortunate enough to place first overall in the contest. Lambert hopes local readers of YM will vote for Casselman. Ballot forms are available in the April issue of the magazine. "Send in your votes," she says. "I have confidence in him (Casselman)." The winner of the Young & Modern Man contest will be announced in the October, 1992 issue of YM. Casselman is featured in the April issue, as part of a spread on all 20 finalists. .