Miss Mansfield: Ice Cubes in the Toilet

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone has stayed safe and warm these past few days! The weather has allowed me a chance to cross off some important tasks on my to-do list including, updating everyone on what I have been up to for the past few months! (Also, the key to a snow day is ice cubes in the toilet according to one of my favorite friends, Miss Lauren Beard!)

In August, I began my senior year at Baldwin-Wallace College. I had a schedule full of capstone and honors courses, internships and leadership positions to keep me extremely busy for my first few months back. I organized sorority recruitment for Alpha Phi this September, was the Co-President of the Buzz Ambassadors Program in the Admission Office and interned in the Student Life Center helping research peer mentor programs and creating leadership materials for organizations across campus. In addition, I made the decision in the summer to pursue a master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and was beginning the long process of applying to graduate schools.

However, although my days were busy I felt like I was missing something and that, I realized, was the Miss Ohio Program. So, in between my 22nd birthday and final exam week I competed in my hometown pageant, Miss Mansfield. I dug out my swimsuit shoes, dusted off the gowns and brushed up on my interview facts and was shocked when my name was called as Miss Mansfield. Miss Mansfield was the first local pageant I ever competed in and it has always been my dream to represent the place I came from at Miss Ohio! The Sunday after the pageant I met with press and my new local directors then packed up to start my final exams (I finished on the Dean's List!).

In December, I continued working on my applications to graduate school in addition to spending time with my family and celebrating the holiday season. I also volunteered at Toy Time, a local organization that donates thousands of toys to families that are in need. It was great to help an organization that provides so many children with a happy Christmas that they potentially would not have had otherwise. I also had to opportunity to be Santa's little helper at the Dial-A-Santa event arranged by Graham's Auto Mall in Mansfield. Children from all over the Mansfield area and beyond dialed in to talk to the big man himself and his elves. I had the best time listening to all the unique wishes and requests!

Miss America this year was so exciting! Miss Ohio, Becky Minger was a resident of the Warholic Inn her first year at Miss Ohio and since then has always been one of our favorites to cheer for! My family and I kept careful watch during the week of Miss America and thought Becky looked stunning and sounded beautiful and intelligent throughout all of the week's events. We were shocked and saddened when Becky did not make the final cut however could not have been more proud of all her accomplishments. We are truly blessed to have Becky in our lives and believe she embodies all the ideals of the Miss America Program. In addition, I believe that the new Miss America, former Miss Nebraska, Teresa Scanlon will be a great representative for the organization and I am so excited to see her throughout her reign.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an event sponsored by the Kiwanis Club to raise funds for the Friendly House in Mansfield. The event was entitled, "Talkin' with the Tribe" and hosted Matt Underwood from Sports Time Ohio and Bob DiBiasio, Public Relations Executive of the Cleveland Indians. All the attendees enjoyed ballpark food and conversation on one of our favorite teams. My mom and dad both attended with me and between the three of us we managed to win a T-shirt from the raffle, an autographed Travis Haffner jersey that was auctioned off and the 50/50 raffle, we donated the proceeds of the 50/50 raffle back to the Friendly House and all the money from the auction was given to the organization as well! After the festivities had settled down I had the opportunity to speak with Baldwin-Wallace Alumna, Matt Underwood and shared some fun stories about B-W then and now. Later that evening, I had the honor of sharing dinner with seven other students at Baldwin-Wallace College President, Dick Durst's home. We had a lovely evening getting to know each other and discussing after graduation plans. The only rule President Durst gave us for the evening was completing the statement, "If I were President of Baldwin-Wallace I would ..." All of the guests offered his or her small changes to the campus and President Durst was willing and excited to hear all of our advice. He also stated that many of the changes that occurred on campus had began at the table we were sitting at, from students like us. It was a special experience that I will forever cherish.

Now, I am working on fundraising for the Children's Miracle Network, gearing up for judging and speaking for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America organization and meeting with local students! Also, I am beginning to hear from graduate school programs and must begin interviewing for each school, in addition to finishing my last semester at Baldwin-Wallace!

Below I have included a few photos from over the months!

Stay bundled up and safe!

Peace, love and happiness,

Ashley