Miss Alabama 2010: There’s No Place Like Alabama for the Holidays

Season’s Greetings from the Magic City!!

The past several weeks have proven to be extremely eventful! Not only is Miss America 30 days away, but communities across this great state are gearing up for a fun and festive holiday season. It has been such a tremendous blessing to experience how this Great State spreads joy and fellowship during this very special time. One thing I have most certainly discovered is that one can still have a fabulous holiday without the fabulous holiday food (since dressing, pumpkin pie, and Christmas cookies are most certainly NOT on the Miss America swimsuit nutrition plan-lol).

I have traveled from one side of the state to another during the prior weeks and it has been MARVELOUS. I went to one of my most favorite places in Alabama,-Fairhope. I was honored to attend this unique town’s Christmas Tree Lighting and welcome in “snow” with the Christmas Carol “Let It Snow”. Fairhope is a place that is rich with culture and art, punctuated by a lovely hometown spirit!

My first official Holiday Parade as Miss Alabama was at The Summit in Birmingham. Santa, music, holiday cheer-I couldn’t ask for more. The following week, I joined students at Hidden Lake Elementary School as they celebrated the culmination of a very successful United Way Campaign. I ventured into the service field, as I served as a waitress during their pizza party. Another exciting development is the Miss Alabama Program’s involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program. Several local titleholders have enrolled in this program to promote the virtue of being a well-rounded, engaged citizen and we are excited to recognize their efforts next May!!

After months of planning, the pinnacle of my month was the Miss Alabama Holiday Preview: A Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network. The show took place at Homewood High School and featured incredible talent from the Miss Alabama Pageant and the Birmingham Area. We were thrilled to be able to give a gift of $3, 255 to CMN as a result of this event. I will never be able to convey my gratitude to Scott Thorne, the performers, the Miss Alabama Board of Directors, and all of the volunteers that helped make this show a success. If you would still like to donate you can do so online by visiting https://www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=8636EC+F61A1B3 .

Don’t forget!!! The Annual Miss Alabama Fashion show will be this week! On Saturday, December 11 at 11:30pm, attendees will get a preview of the latest fashions from The Clothes Tree, Gus Mayer, and Ann Northington, a look at my Miss America Wardrobe, and a preview of my Miss America Talent! You can still RSVP for this event by calling the Miss Alabama Office at 205-871-6276 by Wednesday!

On Sunday, I was so blessed to be with my West Central Family! They hosted a lovely Miss America Send-Off for me at the beautiful Prystup Guest House in York, Alabama. You cannot find better people than those that live in Livinston and York. They have hearts of gold and have embraced me as a part of their family. Thank you Tom, Carl, Deborah, Gretchen and all of you who have meant so much to me and helped me achieve this dream!

In addition to appearances at Alabama Power Company, West Jefferson Elementary School, Grand Bay Country Christmas, December has been filled with preparations for Miss America. I have had wardrobe fittings at The Clothes Tree, Gus Mayer Clothiers, and Ann Northington, daily workouts at One-2-One Fitness, and mock interviews with local professionals and Miss America enthusiasts. I cannot believe that Miss America is less than a month away. I cannot describe how humbled and honored I have been to have this opportunity and to represent not only a great state, but a values-driven organization like the Miss America Organization. We have been crowning Miss America’s since 1921, and 90 years later, we still seek to give young women the opportunity to become the best person they possibly can. That sets this organization apart. The service that representatives from across this nation provide to their communities is invaluable. Titleholders in the Miss America are more than titleholders, they are a positive force and example for all citizens.

Thank you for allowing me to represent all of you as Miss Alabama! I pray that I can represent the great spirit of the Alabama people and better my homestate! Thank you all for your encouragement and well wishes!

With love,

Ashley