A Winning Combination

Hi Everyone!

I have a few spare moments today so I figured I would fill everyone in on what I have been up to for the past few weeks, besides enjoying the warmer temperatures and sunshine!

First of all, and probably the most time consuming of all, I was hired at Dillard's Department Store at SouthPark Mall in Strongsville. I have been working about 30+ hours a week in addition to going to class, finishing homework assignments, meeting with the several organizations I am involved in and more. It has been a little overwhelming in addition to the Miss Ohio prep, platform work and trying to maintain a bit of a social life but I have been hanging in there! I work in the Accessories Department helping customers find handbags, jewelry or watches. The people I work with are great and I have learned a lot, not only about sales and our merchandise but, about people in general. I really enjoy the position and it's not too bad for my bank account either!

In addition to my job I have also, slowly and steadily, begun gearing up for Miss Ohio. I had new advertisement photographs taken at the Renaissance Theatre on my only day off over Spring Break and headshot photographs taken a few days, and a haircut, later! I really love them and working again with Crystal Jo Holt from Crystal Jo Foto and Chris Johannsen Miller from The Open Shutter was great! I had a fantastic time and I think the pictures came out really well!

Also, I was asked by Ohio FCCLA to help judge some National Programs for the State Conference coming up in April. I drove down to Columbus last Wednesday to assist them in the process and helped select the winners for the Student Body National Program. Student Body national peer education program focuses on eating right, being fit and making healthy choices. A former Family and Consumer Sciences Education teacher and I learned about middle school and high school students that had helped raise awareness for this cause in their elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. They educated students on making healthy choices, like saying "no" to drugs, how to eat right and select nutritious foods and how exercise can be fun and healthy! It was so great to see the change that these students were creating and I think we selected three really great winners, although the competition was fierce! In addition, the other judges and myself made our own impact that day. Typically, the score sheets and comments are not given back to the students or teachers making it difficult for students to see how their projects were lacking. The other judges and I felt it important that the feedback be given back to the students in order for them to improve and better make corrections in the future. A simple change that will undoubtedly yield some great results!

In other news, I have made a large change to my future plans and decided not to go to graduate school right away. I had filled out the applications, received letters of recommendation, paid the fees, the whole nine yards however, after my first interview I knew I wasn't ready... just yet. I love Higher Education and believe that Student Affairs is where I will end up in time but I need more experiences in other fields as well in order to make such a large commitment. This definitely changes my plans for the next few months however, although, it is terrifying, not having a rock solid plan, I am confident in my abilities and in God, and for this situation I think that's a winning combination.

I have tons of events coming up including Miss Ohio Forum, Ohio FCCLA State Conference, my last finals week and Graduation. I am so excited for all the opportunities in the next few weeks and I promise to share more soon!

Ashley

P.S Follow me on Twitter at MissMansfield20