Ahhhh...here is calm after the storm! There has been a nice lull since Miss America. I am not sure if I am doing less appearances or just seem less busy because I am not preparing with mock interviews, voice lessons, and training? This year is a bit of a roller coaster. I woke up this morning with a pit in my stomach that in a few months I will no longer be Miss Vermont. In some ways that seems liberating and in other ways it seems horrifying.
This week is packed with Right Decisions Right Now appearances. These school appearances have proved to be the most rewarding appearances this year. I have been constantly amazed at the critical thinking skills of these young Vermont students. They seem ahead of where my peers and I were in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. I had a great school appearance in Southern Vermont on Friday. The students seemed genuinely interested and engaged and that makes my job a lot easier! When we were discussing anti-tobacco legislation in small groups one student had an opinion different from the rest of the group and instead of being peer pressured into changing his mind, he stood his ground and calmly explained why he felt the way he did. It was the perfect opportunity to talk to the group about respecting other's opinions and standing up for what you believe in. That day made me excited for the schools coming up this week.
Think Spring!
Ashley
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Miss America and Beyond...
I must be honest. I have been dreading writing this post. I want to update readers on the amazing time that was Miss America 2009 and what I have been up to after but there is simply too much to tell. I am not sure where I should begin...
Send-off seems like a good start. One and a half weeks prior to leaving for Las Vegas my mother had put together a fabulous afternoon with friends, family, supporters, and board members at my alma mater, Saint Michael's College. I want to thank all the people who came out for it. It was a thrill to see each facet of my life represented from family, church, childhood, high school, college, and beyond. Our Miss Vermont emcee, Dana Rosengard, serenaded me with a personalized version of the song I won state with, The Prayer. It (of course) brought tears to my eyes!
Fast forward, a week and I was home packing for Miss America. I felt ready. I was not nervous and I think that was because I already knew and loved the other ladies so much. It felt like I was going away to see my friends. Arriving in Las Vegas was exciting. However, the days were long and tiring. Some highlights were...learning our opening number which I loved, watching Barack Obama's inaguration on the jumbotron outside of Planet Hollywood with the rest of the MU group, having my best childhood friend surprise me by coming to competition, and the big thrill...winning talent!...
I did not go to Miss America thinking I would win talent. In fact, I was a bit bummed about the talent portion of competition because I wanted to sing what I sang at Miss Vermont which was The Prayer in English and Italian. However, 5 weeks prior to Miss America the office informed me that they could not get clearance for the song. My (amazing) voice coach and I had a heart to heart and decided to go with the song that I sang at Fenway Park in July because it got such a great response. That song was God Bless America. Since I didn't have very much time and I liked singing the song without music, we decided it was best to sing the song a cappella. I felt great the day of talent. It is my favorite phase of competition. It was surreal and powerful to step on that stage to a totally silent theater. The decision to sing without music was risky but in the moment made the performance from my side of the stage...powerful. I soaked in every moment, every note, and every breathe. If I could do it everyday of my life, I would. When it came time for awards, I knew I was in a very very talented group of women. I was pleased with my performance but knew it could be anyone's award and scholarship. They announced the swimsuit winner as my dear friend, Miss NY, and then moved onto talent. And the winner of tonight's talent competition and the recipient of a $2000 scholarship is...Miss....VERMONT!" Leigh-Taylor jumped in the air and I ran to the center of the stage to give her a huge hug! Not only did I win talent but I was sharing the spotlight with one of my favorite people in the world! Miss Vermont has never won a preliminary night...ever! It was an honor to break that record. Seeing my friends and family at visitation was the greatest thrill. I was overjoyed that so many of my friends took time from their jobs to support me. It wouldn't have been the same without them!
Saturday's Miss America Live was a bit anticlimactic. I was hoping after winning talent I would be called into the top 11. Yet, that was not the way the cookie crumbled. It was still fun to see my friends up there with the dream of being crowned Miss America still alive! And after the competition was over I found out I won non-finalist talent for another $1000 scholarship. It was a great ten days.
So what now? Coming home from being at Miss America is an adjustment. But is feels great to be back in the Green Mountian State. I still have Right Decision Right Now apperances to do and lots of travel planned for the Spring. I met with my amazing voice coach, Miss Shyla Nelson, today and we are working on the first steps toward a demo. Exciting stuff.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the family, friends, and supporters who watched the reality show and live pageant to support me. I could feel your energy and appreciate it!
Blessings to You and Yours,
Ashley
p.s. I almost forgot yesterday I was honored at the State House by the Secretary of State, with the Enduring Democracy Award for my work on my platfrom. They even invited me to sing at the ceremony. Former Governor and former Democratic Committee Chairman Howard Dean spoke and the afternoon was filled with acknowledging those who contributed on a state level to democracy in America.
Send-off seems like a good start. One and a half weeks prior to leaving for Las Vegas my mother had put together a fabulous afternoon with friends, family, supporters, and board members at my alma mater, Saint Michael's College. I want to thank all the people who came out for it. It was a thrill to see each facet of my life represented from family, church, childhood, high school, college, and beyond. Our Miss Vermont emcee, Dana Rosengard, serenaded me with a personalized version of the song I won state with, The Prayer. It (of course) brought tears to my eyes!
Fast forward, a week and I was home packing for Miss America. I felt ready. I was not nervous and I think that was because I already knew and loved the other ladies so much. It felt like I was going away to see my friends. Arriving in Las Vegas was exciting. However, the days were long and tiring. Some highlights were...learning our opening number which I loved, watching Barack Obama's inaguration on the jumbotron outside of Planet Hollywood with the rest of the MU group, having my best childhood friend surprise me by coming to competition, and the big thrill...winning talent!...
I did not go to Miss America thinking I would win talent. In fact, I was a bit bummed about the talent portion of competition because I wanted to sing what I sang at Miss Vermont which was The Prayer in English and Italian. However, 5 weeks prior to Miss America the office informed me that they could not get clearance for the song. My (amazing) voice coach and I had a heart to heart and decided to go with the song that I sang at Fenway Park in July because it got such a great response. That song was God Bless America. Since I didn't have very much time and I liked singing the song without music, we decided it was best to sing the song a cappella. I felt great the day of talent. It is my favorite phase of competition. It was surreal and powerful to step on that stage to a totally silent theater. The decision to sing without music was risky but in the moment made the performance from my side of the stage...powerful. I soaked in every moment, every note, and every breathe. If I could do it everyday of my life, I would. When it came time for awards, I knew I was in a very very talented group of women. I was pleased with my performance but knew it could be anyone's award and scholarship. They announced the swimsuit winner as my dear friend, Miss NY, and then moved onto talent. And the winner of tonight's talent competition and the recipient of a $2000 scholarship is...Miss....VERMONT!" Leigh-Taylor jumped in the air and I ran to the center of the stage to give her a huge hug! Not only did I win talent but I was sharing the spotlight with one of my favorite people in the world! Miss Vermont has never won a preliminary night...ever! It was an honor to break that record. Seeing my friends and family at visitation was the greatest thrill. I was overjoyed that so many of my friends took time from their jobs to support me. It wouldn't have been the same without them!
Saturday's Miss America Live was a bit anticlimactic. I was hoping after winning talent I would be called into the top 11. Yet, that was not the way the cookie crumbled. It was still fun to see my friends up there with the dream of being crowned Miss America still alive! And after the competition was over I found out I won non-finalist talent for another $1000 scholarship. It was a great ten days.
So what now? Coming home from being at Miss America is an adjustment. But is feels great to be back in the Green Mountian State. I still have Right Decision Right Now apperances to do and lots of travel planned for the Spring. I met with my amazing voice coach, Miss Shyla Nelson, today and we are working on the first steps toward a demo. Exciting stuff.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the family, friends, and supporters who watched the reality show and live pageant to support me. I could feel your energy and appreciate it!
Blessings to You and Yours,
Ashley
p.s. I almost forgot yesterday I was honored at the State House by the Secretary of State, with the Enduring Democracy Award for my work on my platfrom. They even invited me to sing at the ceremony. Former Governor and former Democratic Committee Chairman Howard Dean spoke and the afternoon was filled with acknowledging those who contributed on a state level to democracy in America.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
MISS VERMONT GOES "GREEN" TO MISS AMERICA!
Ashley Wheeler to wear an eco-friendly, locally made gown FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 30, 2008Contact: Hannah Nelson Manley - (802) 296-1649 LYNDONVILLE, VT - Miss Vermont 2008, Ashley Wheeler, is putting the final touches on her preparation for the Miss America pageant in January. She has fine tuned her vocal piece with the help of a local coach; she has been grilled by panels of "mock" interview judges, and has met regularly with a personal trainer. This week she is picking up her custom-made evening gown from the designer… and the cool thing is that this gown was not made in New York or California, but rather in Sutton, Vermont. And it's green - not forest green or sage green, but green, the concept – it’s an eco-friendly dress made of hemp and silk, lined with hemp and organic cotton, and adorned with repurposed gold lace, beads and sequins. "I was raised as part of a family-run business and I understand how important it is to support locally-owned and operated businesses. So when it came time for me to purchase an evening gown for the Miss America pageant, I decided to keep my business in Vermont and call upon a designer from the Northeast Kingdom. I had heard about Tara Lynn and it was very appealing to go "green" for Miss America. I will be making a significant statement and suspect I will be the only contestant who has chosen to go this route. I think this is the perfect way for me to share my stance on preserving our environment and set myself apart from the other contestants."Tara Lynn Scheidet, owner of Tara Lynn, is a talented and innovative designer, and is said to be the poster child for sustainable business in Northern Vermont. Her unique collections are inspired by and dedicated to environmental causes. Tara Lynn’s studio runs off solar electricity. The shelves are stocked with vintage and recycled materials collected over years of yard sale shopping. The ceiling is adored with inspirational pictures hung over a floor of antique sewing machines. Since the company started in 2005 it has become a team of talented women. They all stand behind the same mission to increase awareness of biodiversity, promote sustainability and be proud of what they do and the clothing they make.The designer of Miss Vermont’s evening gown shares, "Beauty is not artificial. Natural clothing is sexier than lifeless textiles made from hazardous materials. When women wear my clothes I want them to feel exuberant and special rather than objects of desire: strong, smart and powerful. Stylish sexy women set the example for the next generation." As a representative of America’s #1 scholarship provider for young women and an organization whose mission is to promote personal and professional development, civic consciousness, service, higher education, and integrity, Ashley Wheeler believes she has found the “perfect fit.”
Ashley Wheeler to wear an eco-friendly, locally made gown FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 30, 2008Contact: Hannah Nelson Manley - (802) 296-1649 LYNDONVILLE, VT - Miss Vermont 2008, Ashley Wheeler, is putting the final touches on her preparation for the Miss America pageant in January. She has fine tuned her vocal piece with the help of a local coach; she has been grilled by panels of "mock" interview judges, and has met regularly with a personal trainer. This week she is picking up her custom-made evening gown from the designer… and the cool thing is that this gown was not made in New York or California, but rather in Sutton, Vermont. And it's green - not forest green or sage green, but green, the concept – it’s an eco-friendly dress made of hemp and silk, lined with hemp and organic cotton, and adorned with repurposed gold lace, beads and sequins. "I was raised as part of a family-run business and I understand how important it is to support locally-owned and operated businesses. So when it came time for me to purchase an evening gown for the Miss America pageant, I decided to keep my business in Vermont and call upon a designer from the Northeast Kingdom. I had heard about Tara Lynn and it was very appealing to go "green" for Miss America. I will be making a significant statement and suspect I will be the only contestant who has chosen to go this route. I think this is the perfect way for me to share my stance on preserving our environment and set myself apart from the other contestants."Tara Lynn Scheidet, owner of Tara Lynn, is a talented and innovative designer, and is said to be the poster child for sustainable business in Northern Vermont. Her unique collections are inspired by and dedicated to environmental causes. Tara Lynn’s studio runs off solar electricity. The shelves are stocked with vintage and recycled materials collected over years of yard sale shopping. The ceiling is adored with inspirational pictures hung over a floor of antique sewing machines. Since the company started in 2005 it has become a team of talented women. They all stand behind the same mission to increase awareness of biodiversity, promote sustainability and be proud of what they do and the clothing they make.The designer of Miss Vermont’s evening gown shares, "Beauty is not artificial. Natural clothing is sexier than lifeless textiles made from hazardous materials. When women wear my clothes I want them to feel exuberant and special rather than objects of desire: strong, smart and powerful. Stylish sexy women set the example for the next generation." As a representative of America’s #1 scholarship provider for young women and an organization whose mission is to promote personal and professional development, civic consciousness, service, higher education, and integrity, Ashley Wheeler believes she has found the “perfect fit.”
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A few hours ago my phone rang and it was Miss New York. Leigh-Taylor said "In 4 weeks from right now we will be done our Miss America interviews!" ahhhhh!
Wow! Where have the months gone? It feels like just yesterday we had months to prepare. Now...we have weeks!
I am feeling great about it at this point. I have had some great mock interviews and done a lot of work with my fabulous voice coach and trainer. The hardest part about this time of year is saying "no" to all those holiday goodies that come out annually.
Besides mock interviews, walking practice, voice, and personal training, I have enjoyed traveling the state in the last few weeks. The last few weekends have been full of many encounters with Santa Claus, starry eyed children, and Christmas carols. In Saint Johnsbury last weekend (in 5 degree cold!) I spent time outside collecting can food and donations for the Northest Kingdom's local food shelves. The drive brought in thousands of pounds of food for local families in need. It feels great to give especially when we know our goodwill is helping our neighbors.
Last Sunday, I especially enjoyed meeting the heroic families of the Vermont National Guard at their annual Christmas party. The party was complete by Home Depot building workshops for the kids, karate demonstrations, nail painting, hair cutting, grand buffet, and stockings for every child. These men and women deserve nothing less. I was most inpressed by the aray of activities they had planned for all members of the family. It is a good time of year to think about these people and remind ourselves that most times it is the families who make the biggest sacrifices with their loved one away.
Today was a great day too. I was at the Red Clover Salon in Essex Junction at their annual holiday reading. I read local children two Christmas books. First I read an unconventional but wonderful children's tail entitled Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree and of course the Christmas classic The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The holiday's are a great time for togetherness and love and I have never expereinced that more than as my travels as Miss Vermont. However, I am mindfull everyday of the families who are struggling in this difficult economic climate. I have been praying everyday for the families who will not be able to put presents under the tree or even have a warm home to sleep in on Christmas Eve. I hope these families and individuals are in your thoughts as well. Let us all remember to give as much (if not more) than we receive this holiday season. Our local foodshelfs and homeless shelters need food, toiletries, and clothing like never before.
I wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!
Be sure to come to my Miss America Send-off Party on January 4th from 1-3pm at the Hoehl Welcome Center at Saint Michael's College. I hope to see you there.
With Love & Blessings,
Ashley
Wow! Where have the months gone? It feels like just yesterday we had months to prepare. Now...we have weeks!
I am feeling great about it at this point. I have had some great mock interviews and done a lot of work with my fabulous voice coach and trainer. The hardest part about this time of year is saying "no" to all those holiday goodies that come out annually.
Besides mock interviews, walking practice, voice, and personal training, I have enjoyed traveling the state in the last few weeks. The last few weekends have been full of many encounters with Santa Claus, starry eyed children, and Christmas carols. In Saint Johnsbury last weekend (in 5 degree cold!) I spent time outside collecting can food and donations for the Northest Kingdom's local food shelves. The drive brought in thousands of pounds of food for local families in need. It feels great to give especially when we know our goodwill is helping our neighbors.
Last Sunday, I especially enjoyed meeting the heroic families of the Vermont National Guard at their annual Christmas party. The party was complete by Home Depot building workshops for the kids, karate demonstrations, nail painting, hair cutting, grand buffet, and stockings for every child. These men and women deserve nothing less. I was most inpressed by the aray of activities they had planned for all members of the family. It is a good time of year to think about these people and remind ourselves that most times it is the families who make the biggest sacrifices with their loved one away.
Today was a great day too. I was at the Red Clover Salon in Essex Junction at their annual holiday reading. I read local children two Christmas books. First I read an unconventional but wonderful children's tail entitled Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree and of course the Christmas classic The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The holiday's are a great time for togetherness and love and I have never expereinced that more than as my travels as Miss Vermont. However, I am mindfull everyday of the families who are struggling in this difficult economic climate. I have been praying everyday for the families who will not be able to put presents under the tree or even have a warm home to sleep in on Christmas Eve. I hope these families and individuals are in your thoughts as well. Let us all remember to give as much (if not more) than we receive this holiday season. Our local foodshelfs and homeless shelters need food, toiletries, and clothing like never before.
I wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!
Be sure to come to my Miss America Send-off Party on January 4th from 1-3pm at the Hoehl Welcome Center at Saint Michael's College. I hope to see you there.
With Love & Blessings,
Ashley
Sunday, November 30, 2008
NEW WEBSITE!
I almost forgot the most important update of all! There is a brand new, Miss Vermont website. Eternity Wed Developmet has spent months designing this new site and they have done a fantastic job. The final product was way beyond my greatest expectations. Check it out! There is a lot to see and with the new appearance calendar it is even easier to keep track of my appearances. Be sure to play the video of my rendition of the National Anthem at the Boston Garden and check out my personal sponsorship page with links to all the men and women who have helped make this year possible for me. THANK YOU ETERNITY WEB DEVELOPMENT!
www.missvermont.org
XOXO
Ashley
www.missvermont.org
XOXO
Ashley
6 Weeks & 3 Days...but who's counting?
With all of the excitement the holidays bring it is easy to forget that very shortly after Christmas and New Year's, I will be off to Las Vegas for Miss America 2009. I have recently realized an advantage warm states have over cold states, specifically in the swimsuit catergory. Taking today as an example, it is cold (about 25 degrees), grey, and dreary. I am one who cannot stand running on a treadmill and I will have to somehow motivate myself to run out in the cold. brrr...
I am looking forward to the month of December. I have several Right Decisions Right Now appearances and several Christmas themed gatherings to attend. I have really enjoyed my RDRN apperances. I have been amazed at the critical thinking skills some middle and junior school children have. They have been a source of inspiration to me.
I need to update you on an exciting apperance that happened the week before last. Two Monday's ago I was in my second gown fitting, with pins sticking in and out of me, when my cell phone rang and it was an unknown Boston number. I decided to answer despite the pins and am sure glad I did. It was the Boston Celtics informing me of an Anthem singer cancellation they had for the next night's game against the New York Knicks. They were wondering if I could be in Boston 24 hours later. I did some rearranging of a very packed schedule and said "of course!". My mother and father graciously drove me to Boston and escorted me through the evening at the TD Banknorth Garden (which we still, in my family, call... "The Boston Garden"). In true form several of my amazing girlfriends from Saint Michael's College managed tickets and were there just in time to see me perform. (Thanks Tracy, Aimee, Leah, & Jill!) It was a thrill singing at the Garden.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is looking forward to the rest of the holiday season.
Best,
Ashley
I am looking forward to the month of December. I have several Right Decisions Right Now appearances and several Christmas themed gatherings to attend. I have really enjoyed my RDRN apperances. I have been amazed at the critical thinking skills some middle and junior school children have. They have been a source of inspiration to me.
I need to update you on an exciting apperance that happened the week before last. Two Monday's ago I was in my second gown fitting, with pins sticking in and out of me, when my cell phone rang and it was an unknown Boston number. I decided to answer despite the pins and am sure glad I did. It was the Boston Celtics informing me of an Anthem singer cancellation they had for the next night's game against the New York Knicks. They were wondering if I could be in Boston 24 hours later. I did some rearranging of a very packed schedule and said "of course!". My mother and father graciously drove me to Boston and escorted me through the evening at the TD Banknorth Garden (which we still, in my family, call... "The Boston Garden"). In true form several of my amazing girlfriends from Saint Michael's College managed tickets and were there just in time to see me perform. (Thanks Tracy, Aimee, Leah, & Jill!) It was a thrill singing at the Garden.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is looking forward to the rest of the holiday season.
Best,
Ashley
Friday, October 24, 2008
updates from the road
My voter registration drive has been very successful! The most rewarding part is I get the feeling that some of the voters I am registering were not going to vote on November 4th. After the conversations we have had...they will!
My most memorable story from the last two weeks however did not come from one of the high school or college campuses I visited. It came from a nursing home I visited last week. I was asked to go to Morrisville and perform for the residents. I sang some of my favorites and some of theirs. After singing, we had a question and answer time. The residents asked me many questions and one asked me about my platform. When I spoke about "Your Vote is Your Voice" and shared with them my travels registering voters I could not help but notice one woman's eyes swell up with tears. After the Q and A session, while I was signing autographs, that very elderly woman with tears in her eyes wheeled her wheelchair over to me, hugged me, and said "I remember when women could not vote. I have cast a ballot every time I could and plan on doing it again November 4th. Thank you for doing what you are doing." I have thought about that woman a lot during my travels this week. Her name was Ruth and I won't forget her.
As great as my travels have been since returning from LA, I am looking forward to having some time to prepare for Miss America. Sometimes I get so caught up in having a presence in the state I forget that in only 95 days I will be on stage at Miss America. As I move forward I pray for patience and guidance to be able to balance being the best Miss Vermont I can be while striving to walk off that Planet Hollywood stage as Miss America 2009.
With Love,
Ashley
My most memorable story from the last two weeks however did not come from one of the high school or college campuses I visited. It came from a nursing home I visited last week. I was asked to go to Morrisville and perform for the residents. I sang some of my favorites and some of theirs. After singing, we had a question and answer time. The residents asked me many questions and one asked me about my platform. When I spoke about "Your Vote is Your Voice" and shared with them my travels registering voters I could not help but notice one woman's eyes swell up with tears. After the Q and A session, while I was signing autographs, that very elderly woman with tears in her eyes wheeled her wheelchair over to me, hugged me, and said "I remember when women could not vote. I have cast a ballot every time I could and plan on doing it again November 4th. Thank you for doing what you are doing." I have thought about that woman a lot during my travels this week. Her name was Ruth and I won't forget her.
As great as my travels have been since returning from LA, I am looking forward to having some time to prepare for Miss America. Sometimes I get so caught up in having a presence in the state I forget that in only 95 days I will be on stage at Miss America. As I move forward I pray for patience and guidance to be able to balance being the best Miss Vermont I can be while striving to walk off that Planet Hollywood stage as Miss America 2009.
With Love,
Ashley
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