Linly Heflin Fashion Show-Birmingham, AL

Greetings!

I had the pleasure of modeling some beautiful clothing for Gus Meyer yesterday! The Linly Heflin Fashion Show is a highlight of the fall season in Birmingham-not only for the incredible preview of Fall and Winter Fashion Lines, but also for the incredible mission behind the show.

The Annual Linly Heflin Fashion Show benefits the Linly Heflin Scholarship Program, which benefits Alabama women looking to further their education. The Linly Heflin Unit, founded in 1919,  is comprised of 125 members. Scholars from this program attend schools across this state and are exploring a wide variety of fields of study.

This year's show featured the acclaimed designer Gustavo Cadile and I had the honor of modeling his beautiful wedding gown!

After the show, I got to have lunch with one of the most wonderful people in my life-my Miss West Central director Tom Taylor. We had so much fun catching up-I miss him so much!

Yesterday was another amazing Miss Alabama day!!! I am so blessed.

Ashley

September Ends with a Bang!

Hello All!

As September draws to a close, I have to tell you about my amazing experiences last week! I had a very busy and exciting week, filled with great travels, new acquaintances, wonderful memories, and last but not least-GREAT FOOD!

The excitement began on Monday with the long awaited and much anticipated Miss America Contestant Lottery! The Miss America Pageant uses a lottery to allow each contestant to pick her competition order and contestant number. Ms. Nan and I met at the office and waited patiently for the word “ALABAMA” to appear on the computer screen. Once a contestant’s state name appears, she then has five minutes to select her position-very exciting! As luck would have it, I was the 12^th state to be pulled and chose the following competition order:

            Competition Group: Mu

            Contestant Number: 15

            Competition Order:  Monday AM- Interview

                                             Tuesday- On-Stage Question

                                             Wednesday- Swimsuit/Evening Wear

                                             Thursday- Talent

I could not have been happier about my placement!!! Also, two ladies I had the opportunity to get to know and strike up a friendship with are also in the Mu group, Miss Arizona and Miss Colorado!

On Tuesday, I took a special trip down to Dothan, my hometown. Any trip to my home brings great joy, but this was a particularly exciting trip for a photo shoot for DOTHAN MAGAZINE. The story and pictures will be featured in the Winter Edition of the magazine. I have to say thank you to David Parker and DeeDee Morris for volunteering their time to make this shoot a great success!!!

Wednesday held the monthly Miss Alabama Board Meeting, which is one of my favorite times, since I get to see the incredible people that continually amaze me with their never-ending generosity and enthusiasm for this program. These individuals work tirelessly to promote the benefits and values of the Miss Alabama Program, which have impacted so many lives!

Friday was a very busy day. It began with a wonderful celebration! I had the honor of attending a surprise birthday party for Mr. Robert Radice, General Manager at the Tutwiler Hotel. Mr. Radice’s faith in and support of this program is absolutely invaluable. The entire staff at the hotel is such a wonderful group of people and I was so excited to spend the morning with them for this special occasion. Today is actually Mr. Radice’s Birthday-so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

After the party, Ms. Shasta and I went to lunch together at Dreamland BBQ-best BBQ in Birmingham! As a UAB student, I feel like I spend a great deal of time at Dreamland and I am so appreciative of Mr. Walter Kirkland’s support of the pageant.

Friday afternoon I got a special treat! I went to Gus Mayer for a fitting for the Annual Linly Heflin Fashion Show. I cannot wait for Wednesday, when I get to model these beautiful clothes from their fall and winter lines!

The end of September/beginning of October is a very exciting time in Birmingham and this weekend was no exception! The Magic City played host to several exciting events and I was fortunate enough to take advantage of some of them. On Friday night, I went to the Annual St. George Greek Food Festival! I wait for this gyro all year and was not disappointed. Not only to they offer wonderful food, but they offer amazing music and fellowship!

Saturday, I began my day watching the courageous UAB Blazers play a hard-fought game against the Tennessee Volunteers. While a very narrow loss was not the outcome I had been hoping for, I could not have been prouder of my Alma Mater. That evening I was thrilled to have tickets for LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL! It was a great show, with an inspiring message!

My weekend closed with a very special occasion, a wonderful shower for the newly married Miss Alabama Field Director, Mimi Hudson Scott and her charming husband Kelly Scott! Again, I was so touched by the bond that is shared by my Miss Alabama Family. I am such a better person for knowing all of these individuals!

In closing, I would be remiss in not saying farewell to an incredible man and remarkable philanthropist. Dr. Bob Slaughter passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. Dr. Slaughter led an exemplary life and served as an inspiration to so many he knew. He was an avid supporter in the Miss Alabama Program and he will be greatly missed.

I will catch up with you all again very soon, but until then...

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” –William James

Ashley

P.S. 15 weeks until Miss America!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Glimse in Time

Greetings!

This weekend I took a journey. I took a journey not only to a place, but to a different time. On Saturday, I was fortunate enough to attend the Carbon Hill Car Show. Carbon Hill is a charming southern town that began as a mining town in Northwest Alabama. This close-knit community is a portrait of the values that inspire Alabamians to care for their neighbor.

The local Kiwanis Chapter hosts the Annual Carbon Hill Antique Car Show and hosted me at this year’s event. Automobile enthusiasts traveled near and far for Saturday’s show, which was blessed with a hot and beautiful Alabama day. While the sun sat high in the sky and 50’s music played, I got to visit with the wonderful people from Carbon Hill. They were incredibly friendly and welcoming and I was so proud to have been invited to their community.

A recurring theme from Saturday’s show was family. As I looked around, I was filled with such happiness as I saw children, old and young, enjoying the festivities with their parents. Some families enjoy car restoration as a family pastime and travel to shows together, entering similar contests.

I had the high honor of selecting the Best in Show Award for the Car Division. (This was TOUGH!) Even though the time when these cars filled the roads has passed, most of these automobiles look as though they had just been driven off of the dealership. Ultimately, I chose the 1956 Crimson and White Chevy. The gentleman who owned this car, got it when he was 17-years-old. This particular fact touched me. He had owned this car since he was in high school and still possessed a love and an appreciation for it. Rather than becoming a memory or a part of his past, this car maintained its significance and beauty.

Saturday was such a incredible day and just one more reason for why I have been so blessed. This is the DREAM JOB! Every moment is an adventure! Hope to see you on my next adventure!

Ashley

Alabama Autumn

Hello All!

I am amazed that it is already September and that this month is already passing its halfway point! The three months that have passed since June 12, 2010 have been marked with the most incredible journey of my life. Time has flown by and it only seems to be passing faster.  

Every morning that I wake up, I am filled with an excitement for what each day holds. Every appearance with which I am blessed reveals something new about this great state. Every community I visit teaches me how to be a better Alabamian.  Every person I meet has a unique and distinct story. Alabama has a remarkable history that inspires a culture and a diversity unlike any other I have ever seen. I live in a city deemed "The Magic City" and I can attest to the magical spell cast on me by this great state.

So I have created this journal to share not only my experiences as Miss Alabama 2010, but the lessons I have learned from those I meet along the way. I hope you will take this journey with me and feel free to share your journey with me. 

Sincerely,

Ashley