ESPN and Alabama Pride

Holiday Greetings Everyone!

I am very excited about the recently released "It's Not Crazy, It's Sports" commercial! I was very happy to take part in a commercial that describes a wonderful part of the Alabama culture-collegiate athletics! The pride Alabama natives experience, whether they cheer for the UAB Blazers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Troy Trojans, or any team, is a unifying engagement.

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen complete strangers exchange a friendly "Go Blazers!" or "Roll Tide" as a greeting. Even the competitive banter exchanged by rival fans, especially during the Iron Bowl, has a charm and a familiarity to it that makes me smile!

These moments make me smile because they represent quintessential Alabama traits- pride and loyalty. In Alabama, each athlete that takes the field knows that he or she has a body of dedicated fans who support and are truly engaged with him or her.

I have experienced this same support! Now, let me clarify-I do not claim to be a good athlete (I'm not). I often made the team and enjoy sports, but my high school soccer coach told me, "You are not the most skilled player, but your drive and determination got you a spot on the team."

I experience this support from citizens across this state as I pursue my dream of becoming Miss America. Kind words of encouragement and a simple "we are proud of you" absolutely make my day!

In Alabama, we believe in our leaders and we invest in their success and that is something for which to be very proud! So [Insert your sports chant here], because it is a great thing to call Alabama home!

Ashley

"I'm Still Dreaming About..." Fannie Flag...An Alabama and Miss Alabama Legacy

Greetings from the Magic City!

In November, I was afforded the extraordinary opportunity to attend "An Evening with Fannie Flagg" at the Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham-and what an opportunity it was!

Let me begin by saying that the book and film Fried Green Tomatoes are well-loved aspects of Alabama culture. However, while I knew of this iconic portraits of my home, I knew little else about the tremendous force that brought these experiences to life-Fannie Flagg. When I became Miss Alabama, I was enlightened!

Ms. Fannie Flagg, a former contestant in the Miss Alabama program, calls Birmingham her hometown and speaks of it with a love and appreciation that only a true native could achieve. She is an incredible force in modern literature and media and wonderful example of how an individual can defy all odds and become anything, as long as they believe.

On November 20th, I was among the fortunate audience that attended Ms. Flagg's homecoming at Virginia Samford Theatre. Not only that, I was permitted to attend a small reception in her honor before the evening began. I can say from personal experience that this larger-than-life Alabama native is one of the most endearing and friendly individuals I have ever met. While I watched in awe as she greeted everyone from mentors, to lifelong friends, to even the Mayor of Birmingham, my observations told me that she had stepped back into Birmingham as if she had never left. She possessed a warmness and familiarity that one can find in a neighbor. Again, I was giddy with excitement, just to be lucky enough to be there.

Then, we all took our seats in the Virgina Samford Theatre to listen as Mr. Jack Reiss and Ms. Flagg talked. As she spoke of her childhood in Birmingham, she described the sheer joy she experienced during her time with the Virgina Samford Theatre, her comedic approach to competing in the Miss Alabama Pageant, and her amazing journey to becoming the acclaimed author she is today. All the while, the audience and myself sat captivated, hanging on her every word. I realized that most of the individuals around me had experienced everything she described. She had shared that time with them and was so thankful for their impact on her life. My gratitude for that moment is indescribable, I will cherish that opportunity forever.

Ms. Flagg latest book is a portrait of Birmingham, The Magic City, through the eyes of a former Miss Alabama. According to The Birmingham News, Mr. Pat Conroy describes I Still Dream About You as "a love letter to the City of Birmingham and the State of Alabama." I couldn't agree more. As I read her precious story, I am enthralled by the characters and their relationship with this city that I live and work in everyday. Their backdrop is my own. Maggie, the principle character, and I share a common experience. Furthermore, it is so incredible that Ms. Flagg and I also share that unique experience which is participating in the invaluable program.

Thank you Ms. Flagg for immortalizing in your novel a time in my life and a city I will cherish forever!

With love,
Ashley

Ms. Fannie Flagg

(Photo courtesy of al.com- http://blog.al.com/bob-carlton/2010/11/fannie_flaggs_new_book_is_a_lo.html)

An Incredible Story

(Photo courtesy of atrandom.com- http://atrandom.com/fannie_flagg/)

Those who give so selflessly...

Hello All!

Today as I visited with some wonderful people at the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Annual Holiday Luncheon, I had the opportunity to thank them for their incredible support and sponsorship. The Miss Alabama Pageant has afforded and continues to grant countless women the opportunity to better themselves and further their education. This year alone, the Miss Alabama Program gave away over $104,000 in cash scholarships and millions in in-kind tuition scholarships. But this kind of offer and experience does not just appear. It is worked for everyday by individuals who believe in this program and what it represents and sponsors who understand the significant impact that this experience has a young women's lives.

The Miss Alabama Pageant, Inc. is run overwhelmingly by volunteers. The Board of Directors, Field Directors, Local Directors, Pageant Moms, Dressing Room Moms, and Traveling Companions are ALL volunteers. They volunteer their time, energy, and talent because they BELIEVE it what the Miss Alabama and Miss America Organizations represent. They work tirelessly to make participating in this program a PHENOMENAL experience. Their support is invaluable and irreplaceable.

My life has been forever changed by my participation in this program. I am a better person because of the lessons I have learned from these amazing volunteers and I would be remiss if I did not recognize their incredible gift. From sponsors, who ensure that contestants are fed and housed during pageant week or make sure that I am as prepared as possible for Miss America, to traveling companions, who take time away from their family and their lives to accompany me to every appearance-this organization is comprised of individuals who represent the very best of the State of Alabama and exude class in every instance. To them, I say thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for supporting not only me, but every contestant that graces the stage at the Miss Alabama Pageant. Thank you for never saying "no" and always giving more. And thank you for believing in the significance and relevance of this organization!

A very grateful Miss Alabama,
Ashley

Ms. Nan Teninbaum-President/CEO and Executive Director of the Miss Alabama Pageant

Pageant Moms-Our Support Team for Pageant Week

Mr. Walter and Mrs. Melanie Hill with their Niece Jameson-Committed Volunteers

My Incredible Family and Friends-My Source of Strength and Support

Miss Alabama's Past and Present-An  Amazing Legacy

Mrs. Kristin Coon-One of our Incredible Field Directors

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

Hidden Lake Elementary United Way Party

Alabama Power Talk Show for United Way Celebration

with our host and his wife, a former Miss West Central Alabama!

with Meghan Muncher and Hallie Grace at the MY ARTS Kids Holiday Program

West Jefferson Elementary School

Grand Bay Country Christmas Parade and Reception

with Mr. Les Prystup of the Prystup Guest House

at my West Central Alabama Miss America Send-Off

with Deborah Talley, Tom Taylor, Mayor Dubose of York, and Carl Sudduth

at the Send-Off 

Good Food!!!

Tis the Season!

One of the best people I know, Tom Taylor, my local director

Local titleholders at the CMN Benefit

(Thanks Elisabeth for the picture)

An Evening of Incredible Talent with an Awesome Mission

Hello Cyber World!

As promised, I am posting a list of the amazing talent that will be on display on November 28^th, 2010 at the Miss Alabama Holiday Preview: A Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network! This incredible show will start at 2pm at Homewood High School, but if you arrive at 1:30pm you can have you picture made with Santa Claus with a donation to CMN.

As the Holiday Season rolls in, I hope we can take this event as an opportunity to remember the families that will be spending their Thanksgiving and Christmas in one of the Children’s Hospitals nationwide. Children’s Miracle Network is an advocate for these families and every penny we raise on November 28^th will be donated to their mission!

And our performers are…

Ashley Davis-Miss Alabama 2010

Scott Thorne

Alexa Jones-Miss Alabama 2005 and Co-Mistress of Ceremonies 

Scarlett Walker-Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2010

Briana Kinsey-MAOT 2nd Alternate

The Jim Sawyer Singers

Jamie Langley-Miss Alabama 2007

Taylor Yates-Miss Alabama Pageant 3rd Alternate

Haley Ates-Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2008

Jaye Herrod-Miss Alabama Pageant 2nd Alternate

Homewood High School Show Choir

Liz Cochran-Miss Alabama 2009

Alison Griffitt-MAOT 3rd Alternate

Meredith Ervin-Miss Alabama Pageant 4th Alternate

Kurt Jenkins

Chandler Champion-MAOT 1st Alternate

Avery Cooper-Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2009

Jordan Burcham

Pelham Pantherettes

Miss Alabama Holiday Preview

November 28th, 2010 2pm-4pm (Santa Arrives at 1:30pm!)

Homewood High School (across from Samford University)

Admission: Free with a $10 donation to CMN at the door.

With love,

Ashley

30 Day Have September, April, June, and NOVEMBER!

Greetings from Sweet Home Alabama!

Words cannot describe the breathtaking beauty of the Alabama Autumn! Over the past few weeks, I have been blessed with a tremendous amount of travels and I have had the opportunity to watch the scenery change. One of my wonderful traveling companions, Donna Coates, says “It’s as if God has dipped his paint brush and painted us a brand new picture.” Traveling offers wonderful opportunities: a journey to an exciting new place full of interesting people, a meaningful conversation with a friend-void of distraction, and beautiful scenery that is felt, rather than seen.

The first half of November held a wide variety of experiences, all of which I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I was honored to host a Disney Princess Tea Party at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, serve as the Grand Marshall for the UAB Homecoming Parade and the Harley-Davidson Teddy Bear Ride to Children’s Hospital, and represent the state of Alabama in a commercial for ESPN! I had a wonderful time welcoming Bass Anglers from across the country at the American Bass Anglers Bassmaster Tournament in Guntersville, singing the national anthem at the Alsheimer’s Walk to Remember in Birmingham, and emceeing the 2011 Miss Birmingham Pageant. As the daughter of Veterans, I was humbled to honor our service men and women during the Veteran’s Day Festivities here in Birmingham (by the way-Birmingham has the largest and oldest Veteran’s Day celebration in the nation).  I was also very fortunate to speak with Alabama youth in Jackson, Reeltown, and Lake Martin about the importance of setting goals and leading a life of service by finding a mission. I guarantee you that no one on this Earth has a better job than me! I wake up every morning excited about what the day holds, because for 365 precious days, I get to be a servant for the State of Alabama!

And now as the month draws to a close, I get to lead by example for  goal-setting and marching for a mission! On November 28^th, 2010, I will host the Miss Alabama Holiday Preview: A Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network! I invite all of you to come and enjoy the incredible talent that will be on display this evening, but I also implore you to not let this opportunity for service pass you by. By attending the event, we can show our commitment to innovative care and research in the field of child medicine, we can support the CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK. All proceeds from this show will benefit CMN. Recently, Alabama was ranked in the Top 5 states for charitable giving. In this economy, that says a great deal about the citizens of this great state! I cannot wait to spend November 28^th, 2010 with all of you, as we show support for this wonderful mission. Here are the details one more time...

What: Miss Alabama Holiday Preview

When: November 28^th, 2010 2pm-4pm (Santa will be arriving at 1:30pm and you can get your Christmas picture with him with a donation to CMN)

Where: Homewood High School Auditorium (across from Samford University)

I hope all of you can attend!

Many Thanks and Blessings,

Ashley

Disney Princess Tea Party

Cinderella!

With Veteran's from the Wiregrass

Diamonds Direct Benefit for Children's Hospital

Leeds, Alabama Paramedics

Teddy Bear Ride!

My Super Cool Sidecar!

Veteran's Day Parade

Interact Club in Jackson, AL

Some of my Sorority Sisters at the Homecoming Parade

Hello All!

 I apologize for the long hiatus from blogging! My computer fell ill and I had to get this cute netbook (mini-laptop) for the interim-until my computer recovers! It has been a very busy and VERY EXCITING month! I have traveled from Dothan to Oneonta to Ashville to Leeds to Birmingham to Jasper to Troy and beyond! I have been so blessed during my travels to meet some incredible people!

I had the honor of spending the day with Ms. Brenda Emery, Ms. Senior Alabama, the day before she left for the Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City. Ms. Emery is the epitome of beauty and grace and has served this state selflessly. I had the honor of hearing her perform “God Bless America” and I was so moved by her patriotism and amazing talent!

I also spent the day with representative from the Southern Peanut Growers Association at the Southern Women’s Show in Birmingham. As a native of Dothan, Alabama, “The Peanut Capital of the World,” this industry is very close to my heart. About one-half of all of the peanuts consumed in the United States are grown within a 100 mile radius of my hometown!  I tell everyone I have peanut dust in my lungs and peanut oil in my blood! Furthermore, the Southern Peanut Growers are partners with the March of Dimes, my personal platform. Peanuts are a wonderful source of folic acid, which is vital during pregnancy to prevent birth defects! I had the honor of preparing a gourmet dish of scallops and slaw containing peanuts with renowned Chef Phillipe Robeles, executive chef for The Resort Collection in Panama City, FL.

I had SO MUCH fun with my wonderful friends at The Clothes Tree in Birmingham during a fitting with their beautiful new fall and winter lines and a photo shoot! Mrs. Deborah and Mrs. Ruth have become like family to me and I feel so blessed to have them in my life! We can’t spend the day together without cutting up and having fun! I love you ladies!

Preliminary pageants are one of my favorite parts of my travels. The 600 ladies that compete for a local title across the State of Alabama are exemplary young women who are leaders in their communities and among their peers. Every day, they live the values of the Miss America Organization-Scholarship, Success, Style, and Service. It has been an honor to get to know them, pray with them, and laugh with them these past 5 months and I am inspired by them every day! Congratulations to the new titleholders crowned in October, Miss Central Alabama-Rebecca Whitlow, Miss Troy University-Sydnii Todd, Miss Samford-Kelsey Richter, Miss Covered Bridge-Meghan Muncher, and Miss UAB-Elizabeth Wesson. Emceeing the Miss UAB Pageant was a special privilege, because of the wonderful people who put on this pageant. Kelli Thompson, the director of the Miss UAB pageant, is such a wonderful director, supporter, and friend! I was so lucky to be one of her Miss UAB’s!

I had the supreme honor of speaking to a group of tomorrow’s leaders at the Ashville High School Super Seven Banquet. During this event, 28 high school students were recognized for the exemplary academic achievement as leaders of their classes!  It was so inspiring to see the good work of these Alabama Teens!

Yesterday I got an opportunity to do what I love the most, work on behalf of the March of Dimes. Dr. Stacy Jones was kind enough to host me at the University of Alabama for a discussion about UA student involvement with the March of Dimes.  During our meeting, we brainstormed ways to spread the word on UA’s Campus about the mission of the March of Dimes. I was so inspired by Dr. Long’s commitment to the March of Dimes through her work with her local Stork’s Nest! It was a wonderful day in Tuscaloosa!

The month of October also held a trip to Salon Eden in Jasper during their Grand Opening. It was refreshing to see a local business put so much into a community and in turn receive so much support! I was honored to sing the National Anthem at the Wounded Warriors Annual Car Show in Birmingham. As the daughter of U.S. Army Veterans, I believe we as a society owe so much to our service men and women! Another fun trip was to Thompson Intermediate School for their Miss TIS Pageant! These contestants were so beautiful, polite, and intelligent! I know I spent the day with some future Miss Alabama’s! I also served as co-emcee for the Little Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant with Walter Hill!

Now I know that this was a very long post, but I just had to tell you all about my experiences this month! I feel so honored to serve as Miss Alabama and so humbled to represent such a wonderful place to call home! Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Until next time,

Ashley

Southern Women's Show

Miss Troy University Pageant

Miss UAB and I

Alice, one of my best friends, and I

Welcome at Little Miss NPF

Mrs. Gail and I at Little Miss NPF

Mr. Walter Hill and I

My New Friend at Salon Eden