Happy 19th Birthday to Me!

It is July First. Which can only mean one thing.

It's my birthday!

How am I spending my special day?

By picking up my dry cleaning, weeding the yard, working on crown boxes, and working on the Olde Canal Days pageant dance with the contestants.

Heck yes!

With Love,
Ashliegh
2009 Olde Canal Days Queen

Brunswick Old Fashioned Days

This morning, Madison, Jenna, Madison's mother, my parents, and I travelled to Brunswick for their Old Fashioned Days festival. This was our last festival before we crown the next queen and court. *Sigh* I had so much fun with all my queen friends and I'm going to miss traveling with them.

All of the Visiting Royalty

Our table <3 minus Sam

As of today, there are 10 days til the 2010 Olde Canal Days Festival. It's crunch time. I have crown boxes to make, gifts to buy, favors to make, scrapbooking, and sooo much to do for my breakfast.

On top of that, there is 20 days til I compete for Miss National Hamburger and 27 days til Miss Greater Cleveland.

This week I am volunteering for the Echoing Ridge Summer Camp held at Clay's Park with the REACH Team. The camp is for disabled/elderly. I'm very excited to assist with all the activities they have planned!

With Love,
Ashliegh
2009 Olde Canal Days Queen

Pageant Interview Tips

With Olde Canal Days Festival pageant interviews and the meet & greet tomorrow evening, I thought I would share some valuable interview advice for the contestants!

Meet and Greet:

-Good posture at all times.
-Do not stand with your arms crossed. It comes off as standoffish.
-Don't hog the judges. Let other contestants in on the conversation by telling them what you were discussing with the judge and asking for their opinion on the subject. (This shows the judge that you are comfortable with people ;] )
-If the judges have you in mind, they will ALWAYS be watching you. So always have a smile on, be kind and courteous to all, and for gosh sake, stand up straight!

Interview:

-Walk in confidently. Walk out confidently.
-How to Sit: Do not let your back touch the back of the chair. Good posture! Cross your legs at the ankles, NOT the knee. Hands should be folded in your lap.
-Make eye contact with each judge!
-55% of communicating is through body language. When you fidget, play with your hair, fingers, jewelry, etc. it shows that you are nervous!
-Don't be afraid of the judges. They are normal people just like you and me.

A Few Practice Questions:

-What do you think your responsibilities will be if you are crowned Olde Canal Days Queen?
-Why did you chose to run for the title of Olde Canal Days Queen?
-What activities do you look forward to during your reign, if you are chosen as the new queen?
-What are your goals for the future?

And my last piece of advice for the contestants: "Be the crown...you are the crown" (Miss Congeniality)

With Love,
Ashliegh
2009 Olde Canal Days Queen

P.S. A crown is just a keepsake until it is brought to life by the titleholder and her services to others.

Dance, Panama, and Miss Ohio

"Fame"                                                                    "The Way We Were"

My last dance recital was this past Friday (June 18th). I danced in 8 acts and had some pretty quick costume changes (TWO MINUTES, WHATT!?) I had a very good time sharing the stage with my dance friends and I will miss them all. Good luck to Jenny, Elizabeth, and Kelsey at college and to Tiffany as she moves to New York.

My numbers:

Tap: Throughly Modern Milly, Smooth Criminal

Jazz: Fame, Flashdance

Hip-Hop: Yeah!, Kung Fu Fighting

Ballet/Pointe: Send in the Clowns

Lyrical: The Way We Were

After recital was over, my parents, Sean, Megan, Natalie, Garrett, Haley, and I went out for dinner at T.G.I. Fridays where we heard Valn Halen's "Panama" one too many times thanks to one of the waiters.

Congrats to the new Miss Ohio 2010, Becky Minger, and Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen 2010, Cecili Weber. Cecili was crowned on June 15th; Becky was crowned on June 19th. Becky is also the winner of a preliminary swimsuit award.

11 Days til my 19th birthday and 18 days until I crown the 2010 Olde Canal Days Queen.

With Love,

Ashliegh

2009 Olde Canal Days Queen

Canal Fulton Library Summer Kick-Off

Today, the Canal Fulton Library hosted the Summer Kick-Off Party and Taste of Canal Fulton. Rachel, Clarissa, and I strolled through the library and greeted the many children and their parents as they came through the library enjoying the food, crafts, games, and of course, the books! It was great to see so many young kids excited about reading!

Rachel and I with future Canal Days Queens :p

A huge sandcastle that someone built in the library's lawn

Rachel and I

With Love,

Ashliegh

2009 Olde Canal Days Queen

Deercreek Dam Days

The 40th Anniversary of the Deercreek Dam Days Festival was held today in Chilicothe & Williamsport, Ohio. I had so much fun visiting with my queen friends and making many new friends. Congratulations to Amie on becoming the 2010 Deercreek Dam Days Queen and good luck to Elizabeth, the 2009 Deercreek Dam Days Queen, as you compete for Miss Commercial Point Homecoming.

My mom and I started our three hour journey to Chilicothe at 7:30 a.m. this morning. On our way there, we stopped at a gas station to get gas. I look over at the car next to us, and Santa Claus was sitting in the front seat. I kid you not. The white beard and Christmas clothes and all. Yes, it's the beginning of June. I think Santa is confused. Hahah.

We finally arrive at the festival queen's luncheon at 11:15 a.m. I sat with the Jackson Co. Apple Festival Court, Jackson Co. Fair Queen Kelsey, Alliance Carnation Festival Queen Lauren and Julie, Ohio Hills Folk Queen Kiki, and Holmes Co. Antique Festival Queen Autumn. We all had a lot of fun learning about the other girls' festivals, pageant requirements, and other things about them. The luncheon included lunch, doorprizes, a mini fashion show, and Uniquely Yours dresses.

After the luncheon we all headed up to the festival grounds, introduced ourselves onstage and had some free time to do whatever. I hung out with Beth, Autumn, Morgan, Kiki, Lydia, and Kelsey. We had a lot of fun riding some of the rides and playing the games. After that, we all hoped on our floats and cars and started the parade.  

I realized today I only have one month left as the Olde Canal Days Queen. It has been an honour serving the city of Canal Fulton and the Olde Canal Days Festival this past year. I have met so many wonderful people and have made so many memories that I will cherish forever.

I don't want to give up my crown :[

Anyways, enough of that. Here are some pictures from todays festivities.

All the visiting royalty after the luncheon

My new friends! Kiki & Lydia!

Autumn & I

With Love,

Ashliegh

2009 Olde Canal Days Queen

P.S. This is my 50th post! Go me! Lol

Thank You, Decia Beck Photography

Photo Compliments of Decia Beck Photography

Thank you, Decia Beck, for sponsoring my pageant headshots! They are lovely!

Decia does a wonderful job. She also exhibits patience and interest in what you want to achieve with your photos.  Visit http://www.beck-images.com/ for more information and how to contact Decia.

With Love,

Ashliegh

2009 Olde Canal Days Queen

NW Graduation & A Visit From Congressman Boccieri

This afternoon, Congressman Boccieri stopped in for a visit at the weekly Reach meeting. He took pictures with each member and answered all the questions we had for him. He talked about how he got his start in politics and the importance giving back to our communities. He also spoke about how becoming a leader and role model for our generation and younger generations is important.

Thank you Congressman Boccieri for taking the time out of your schedule to meet with Reach!

Mr. Boccieri and I with my Special Congressional Recognition Award for my service to my community with Reach

Reach Members with Congressman Boccieri

Boccieri talking to Reach members about the importance of giving back to our community and becoming leaders of our generation

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On Saturday, May 29th, the Northwest Class of 2010 graduated. I have many friends in the Class of 2010 that I have known since they were freshman. To see them graduate was just, well...weird. I watched them grow to be the exceptional young men and women that they are today. I helped them though breakups, and studying for exams. I watched them succeed in their accomplishments, whether it was making the majorette team or getting first chair in their section in band or acing the big test. I was with them for the good, the bad, and the ugly moments in time. I have many memories with the class of 2010 and I will never forget any of them. Congrats to the 2010 Class and good luck with all that you do in your futures.

My best friend, Haley, and I at her Graduation

Afew of my favorite grads

Haley, Me, Justin, and Rachel

With Love,

Ashliegh

2009 Olde Canal Days Queen