Ashley's blog

I can’t believe it’s been a year already… my oh my how time flies. This time last year I was a “newbie” to the pageant scene and was so blessed to be crowned Miss Duncanville 2010. I have had such wonderful directors ,
Jim and Sherry you have been so nurturing, and I appreciate everything you have done for me, as do my parents. Even when crazy weather came to North Texas, you all would call in to check in on me and make sure I wasn’t blown away. Thank you for being there for me whether it was making appearances, calling me for interview, calling just to check up on me, chipotle lunches and more. I still truly appreciate you driving all the way to magnolia to visit me when I came home from the hospital. Those may seem like little things to you but they mean the world to me. I have really grown as a person from the first day I became your girl. It may have taken a year but I’ve now learned to put my ducks in a row.
My most memorable appearances as Miss duncanville were attending the VA hospitals, school appearances, Tx Children’s hospital visit and Special Olympics events. Knowing that I made a difference is the best feeling in the world.
To my parents and sister, I cannot thank you enough for your continuous support in all that I strive to do in my life. As you all know, I have many goals in life and am always trying new things. I could not have achieved so much in my 21 years without the three of you. I love you to the moon and back.
Allison, Ashley, and Kafarra, I have had a wonderful year getting to know all of you. I wish the best for you in your future. Blessings to all of you.
To my Lonestar Princess’, I am so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to get to know you. You are all so beautiful inside and out. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
Also, to my roomie, Lauren, thank you for your continuous support and being one of my biggest cheerleaders. Thanks roomie.
Thank you to Earl and the rest of the Hilton Garden Inn family, for always having a place for me to stay if needed when in the area.
To all my sponsors, whether it was wardrobe, jewelry, hair, fitness, donations and much much more, thank you for everything. I truly appreciate your generosity that you given me throughout the year. May God continue to bless you all.
I would like to thank someone very special to me who got me involved in pageantry. Without her I would not be wearing this crown today. Coach, mentor, and friend, I have learned so much from her.
In the week of Miss Texas I made so many lifelong friends, and will cherish the memories forever. So excited to share UTA Mav pride with Keene and Cristie.
Kristen Blair, you were my first Miss Texas as I entered the system and would like to thank you for being such an inspirational role model and friend.
Congratulations to Ashley and Madison, you have already made Texas so proud and I know you will continue to keep it that way.
I apologize if I missed anyone, so if you have been on the journey with me the past year as Miss Duncanville, I truly appreciate all that you have done. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
I am, Ashley Simien, Miss Duncanville 2010.

VIP – Volunteering Improves People

Make your week a VOLUNTEERISM WEEK! I would like to take this time to thank everyone across the nation who has been active this week,month, and year by volunteering their time for others. I have volunteered my time through hospital visits, nursing homes, VA hospitals, Special olympics events, church events and so much more.

What is a volunteer?
vol·un·teer

–noun
1.
a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking.
2.
a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.
www.dictionary.com

Some of you may ask, “Why should I volunteer?” Well, I have a perfectly good reason why– When you volunteer you are giving back to your community by lending a helping hand to others. I can personally vouch that volunteering benefits you as an individual. Every time I volunteer I learn something new, whether it is about the organization I am working with or just something new about myself.

I challenge you to go out and volunteer this week, take time out of your schedule to lend others a hand. You may not realize it but you are touching lives and making a difference every time you take a moment to help others. When you are volunteering, take a moment to think why you are doing it, because Volunteering Improves People.

If you don’t know where to start visit your local food pantry, nursing home, boys & girls club, library, or even help family members where service is needed.
” Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. ” – Unknown
Hugs,
Ashley

It’s pageant season!! I have attended 3 pageants recently as a visiting titleholder (meaning, since I have already won my title this year, I get to sit in the audience and enjoy the show )

I being in the audience watching others compete. My favorite portion of the show is the talent portion. I have seen dancers, singers, guitar players, twirlers, pianist, and have even seen someone give a monologue. The talent portion is worth 35% of the individual’s overall score.

I will admit, since I dance as my talent, I do get a little nervous sometimes watching contestants compete knowing that they may too win a title with a great talent. I have been practicing my singing though Not saying that I will change my talent, but i would love to have multiple talents so that in case anyone wants Miss White Rock Lake to sing the National Anthem, I can overcome my fear of singing in large crowds and just go with the flow.

Time for more voice lessons.. la la la laaa

Hugs,

Ashley

Growing up, I loved watching pageants on t.v. and pretending to model just like Miss Texas, Miss America, Miss USA, Miss Universe, etc. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I realized there was a difference between the Miss America system and the Miss USA system.

Miss America program began in 1921. The Miss America program is a scholarship pageant, which awards scholarships to young woman from the 50 States, District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Miss America program exists to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community. Almost all contestants have either received or are in the process of earning college or postgraduate degrees. These young women use the Miss America scholarships to further their educations. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world. Young women are judged based on interview, swimsuit (physical fitness), evening gown (modeling), talent, and onstage question. The Miss America program offers scholarship awards and other great prizes. January 15, 2011 will mark the 90th anniversary of Miss America and will be located in Las Vegas.

Miss USA is a beauty contest and unlike Miss America, Miss USA does not have a talent portion. The Miss USA & Miss Universe pageants were started in 1952 as a promotional tool for Catilina Swimsuits. Contestants are required to compete in interview, evening gown and swimsuit. The Miss USA pageant include cash prizes and other great amenities. Miss USA goes on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

Be sure to watch the Miss America pageant on January 15, 2011 on ABC!! Cheer on my good friend, Miss Texas Ashley Melnick!

Hugs,
Ashley

There are four points to the Miss America crown: Style, service, scholarship and success. Throughout the years Miss America has set the bar for many young aspiring women who want to be successful women in their communities. I would like to have that effect on people in my community as well as Miss White Rock Lake.

Just a couple weeks ago I experienced my first appearance as Miss White Rock Lake… I had the opportunity to attend the Regional Special Olympics in College Station. The rainy day did not spoil the competition or fun. I volunteered my time by working the registration table, signing autographs, and simply enjoying the prescence of the athletes. I must say I did pretty well in the lunch break hula hoop contest considering I had a crown and heels on Seeing their smiling faces puts a smile on my face and an over warm feeling in my heart.

In my year of service as Miss White Rock Lake I plan on giving 100% for each point to the crown.

Hugs,

Ashley

Pageant season is finally here! Over the last few weeks I have been preparing for my first local pageant of the year, White Rock Lake. Last week especially, I was working out, practicing my talent, and keeping up with my current events like the back of my hand. Last night was the big day and– I won! I was crowned Miss White Rock Lake 2011
I also won best talent and best evening gown!! Needless to say last night was a great night!!!

My mom drove in from Houston, I was so happy to see her there supporting me. I had a few friends there too cheering me on in the crowd.
Let’s go back to the beginning of my day yesterday…

Sign in meeting began at 10 AM.
Left the meeting to the theater around noon.
Interviews were scheduled to begin at 1PM…. interviews did not start till 20 after 2pm.
Since I was #11 of out 11 contestants [save the best for last ], i did not go into interview till about 5:15. Mind you the pageant was supposed to begin at 4:30…. Interview went smoothly!

FINALLY the pageant started at 6PM, whew! Long day already!

No time to fix hair from interview for opening number, so it looks like I’m going to be teasing and adding hair spray all night!

Swim suit – check [red & blue swim suit and I didn't fall in my heels!]. Talent – check. [Performed a jazzy pointe routine to the Glee version of  "Proud Mary"] Evening gown – check [black Sherri Hill gown].

As teen was being announced my nerves had seem to go away! I knew that I’d be happy with what ever God had in mind for me. Next up, awards and Miss contestants being announced. As the 11 of us lined up, I knew I would walk away smiling win or lose because I know it did my best. 4th runner up announced, my thoughts, “whew, come on come on getting close”; 3rd runner up “okay okay getting closer, let me place”; 2nd runner up “eek butterflies are back!” 1st runner up, “oh my goodness, could it be? God it’s in your plan, but please hurry and have them announce the winner, is it me? is it the girl next to me? who who??”

“And the Miss White Rock Lake 2011 is…. Ashley Simien!”

Wow. I am so blessed. I am very excited for the upcoming year to use the crown as my voice to promote my platform, Volunteering Improves People, and promote my school program for children in the local community.

Today I had the honor of riding in the State fair parades, yes that’s plural. There was a mid afternoon parade in downtown Dallas, and then an evening parade on the fair grounds. I love making appearances. It really touches my heart when I can put a smile on someone’s face. Riding on the float and waving to the crowd was so much fun! In between getting to ride in the parade in an evening gown, I was able to walk around the fair grounds with my fellow pageant friends. Even though I was dressed more casual during the day, there is something about having a crown on your head and a sash on that gets people’s attention. Needless to say we all treated ourselves to the deliciousness that state fair brings each year My first stop was the Lemon Chill stand!!

I will post pictures soon!
Till then, have a great weekend!!!

Well, here I am. Writing a blog. I have written a blog before, but only made about 4 posts to it in a year. I am excited about what I will be writing about this semester, but I am still not too savvy on blogging. Hopefully that will change sometime during the semester.

I was watching Oprah today and want to announce my new blog as she announced the new book to her book club, but all CAPS would not suffice to how excited I am to write about…. my pageantry experience!!

Let me fill you in:

I am currently representing the city of Duncanville as Miss Duncanville 2010. You are probably wondering, “Ok what does this mean?” Well it means that I get to represent a city in Texas as a role model. Throughout my year my duties include making appearances, being involved, and promoting my platform.

About this time last year a dear friend of mine convinced me to compete in a local pageant through the Miss America system. I had no prior pageant experience so I thought that this would be entertaining to see how I would do. My friend coached me in every category: modeling for both evening gown and swimsuit, interview and talent. I am a dancer so the talent part came easy to me… walking in heels though not so much. I competed in my first ever pageant and placed 1st runner up! I loved it so much that I wanted to continue competing. A couple weeks later I competed in my 2nd pageant and won!! I was crowned “Miss Duncanville 2010″. I will never forget the feeling I had when the previous Miss Duncanville placed the crown on my head and sash over my arms. After winning my local title it was time to get involved in the schools with my school program, share my platform with others,volunteer and get prepared for the Miss Texas pageant in the summer!!

By the way, my platform is called: VIP – Volunteering Improves People. The purpose is to get people involved in the community by volunteering there time with something they are interested in. For example, I enjoy helping children so I volunteer at the local Children’s hospital in Dallas. I also visit the elderly, help feed the homeless, and other volunteer opportunities.

In the next post I will fill you all in on my experience at the Miss Texas pageant this past summer!

Throughout this blog you will be following me through my journey to become the next Miss Texas as I prepare to compete for another local pageant!

Till then, have a blessed weekend!

Ashley