3,000 Words

So after I wrote my last post I asked my mom to scan and send some pictures of my old glory days.

This is what she sent:







So, a picture is worth a thousand words? I will let these speak for themselves.

I hope everyone enjoys their Passover and Easter!

Best Wishes!
Ashley

Saving The Best for Last

Hi Everyone!

First of all, welcome back to Cleveland, Z!

Next, I want to say good luck to all the sweeps contestants. It has been, almost, one full year since I gained my first Miss America Local Preliminary title, Miss Heart of Ohio, but it feels like yesterday!

I began my journey with this organization when I was around seven years old. I attended Miss Ohio first as a spectator and then was introduced a few years later to the stage where I was to do the most important duty of them all, hand out the crown. As I stood backstage I remember teetering in my two and one half inch heels, grasping on to the crown and anxiously awaiting Miss Juanita's guiding push (that sometimes, accidently, catapulted me onto the stage...obviously she was a little jittery too!). I still remember the faces of the contestants when I walked onstage because as everyone was looking at me (or the crown, but I am going to let my ten year old ego get in the way here and say me) I was looking at them. Amazed at their courage, talent, intelligence and beauty I was almost overcome by complete and total joy. I was on the Miss Ohio stage! I would be one small puzzle piece to this epic story! I hope Mom is getting a picture of this because no one is going to believe me at recess! Fast forward ten years and again I am on stage, teetering in twenty two and one half inch heels (exaggerated of course) getting ready for the results of my first Miss America Local Preliminary pageant. It took a lot of hardwork, a positive attitude and great people all around me to win my first local title (quite awhile after my first local), one year ago. Although it seems like an obvious story it was never always so clear to me. I never imagined I would be standing on stage in a swimsuit or answering intense questions. I, at ten years old, was just happy to be where I was. Now, I am happy (and to be honest, a little shocked) to be where I am.

So, I am very excited to place that coveted crown on one lucky and deserving young lady's head this weekend. It is such an honor to be a part of this organization and knowing that six more women will be added to the 2010 Miss Ohio class is beyond thrilling (cheesy word but so true!).

I thought I had it all at ten but, little did I know...

Good luck contestants!
See you all Saturday!

Ashley Warholic

P.S. Major thank you's to Kim Baker Canary for helping me through out this year! You are the best and I really appreciate all your advice and guidance! In addition, Courtney Monk, Heather Wells and Kristy Moneysmith you will all hold a very special place in my heart!

True Life: I am Miss Greater Cleveland

Hello!
I hope you all have been enjoying the beautiful weather we have been getting lately! It's nice to know that warmer days are ahead of us even though I am sure Mother Nature has some more snow in store.

I apologize for not updating in awhile but with my semester in full swing, Miss Ohio paperwork deadlines and just life in general I have been really busy! However, with spring break underway I have a second to finally breathe and share with you a few things that I have been working on!

Recently, I returned from an FCCLA Regional Meeting in Painesville, Ohio where I got to be on the other side of the table and judge students in the Concept and Curriculum category of FCCLA STAR Events. I listened to Junior and Senior Early Childhood Education vocational students share their themes and the connection to the subjects that are essential in the classroom. I had such a great time conversing with the other judges and learning about their journey with the program. In addition, it was great to see students that are working so hard and are dedicated to teaching children and being positive role models. After my job as judge was finished I had the opportunity to meet with some of the students and hand out awards. I had a great time seeing young adults engaged and participating in the same organization and events that I was as a student.

Also, my sorority, Alpha Phi, just finished our Fourth Annual Red Dress Ball. This great event benefits our philanthropy, The Alpha Phi Foundation, which supports women's cardiac care. We had a fabulous silent auction with tons of goodies, a delicious dinner, dancing and great conversation between family, friends and sisters. My job was to sell raffle tickets for a chance to win fifty scratch-off lottery tickets! I had the best time tearing off an arm's length of tickets (which was about the equivalent of Lebron James' arm length!) and talking with all the supporters. This event was also a great way to spread the word about women's heart disease and the importance of cardiac care. Overall, we raised around $3,000 which is such a blessing to the foundation and will be able to provide for so many sisters and women effected by heart disease.

In other news, my first event after being hired as the Event Coordinator Intern in the Office of Admission at Baldwin-Wallace went really well! I am in charge of organizing prospective student overnight visits in addition to planning get-togethers in hometowns. All our students had a great time, I learned so much from the experience and I am looking forward to developing my skills professionally and helping students make their college decision!

This past week B-W held their Second Annual Sustainability Symposium and I had the opportunity to attend a few of the conferences that were offered. I have grown increasingly aware and passionate about the issue of sustainability over this semester and these meetings furthered my knowledge and interest in the subject. I met with small business owners that are located in the Cleveland area that are world renowned for being "green businesses." Their discussion was inspiring and helpful and I can't wait to continue my studies in this subject.

Lastly, I wanted to extend a huge congratulations to our beautiful Miss Ohio, Erica Gelhaus! She did a fabulous job representing our state at Miss America and I was so proud to call her my friend and my Miss Ohio! Furthermore, congratulations to former Miss Virginia and current Miss America, Caressa Cameron. She had outstanding performances in all areas and I am excited to see more of her in the future!

So, although my brain has been permanently scarred from midterm exams I think I have shared all the information I wanted about what I have been doing over the past month. I have a busy few weeks ahead of me but I will try my best to keep everyone posted!

Pray for more sunshine and higher temperatures!

Best Wishes and Much Love!

P.S. Try to engage in one random act of kindness this week! I spent $4.88 on two fish filet sandwiches, a diet coke and a small fry for the lady behind me in the drive-thru and it was the best money I have ever spent (even with a quickly depleting bank account)! Make someone's day!