"The darkest night is often the bridge to the brightest tomorrow."
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

From the Magazine 40-74, To read the article click HERE:
http://www.app.com/4074/janfeb2010/passions/passions.html


After some time of trying to get myself into a normal routine and dealing with all this snow and ice that is still around, I'm finally back on track! I've had a busy couple weeks organizing some exciting things, as well as getting back to my very important job of being Miss New Jersey!

One of my first interviews that I did upon returning from Miss America was with The Messenger Press, and then I was off an doing a taping with Assemblywoman Carolyn Casagrande, and her brand new talk show "Conversations with Carolyn Casagrande." I was so honored to be a part of this inaugural taping, and I look forward to seeing the finished product! She is such a wonderful woman, and I'm so honored to be a part of her district. I hope we can continue this great relationship we have established.

With Carolyn and the entire crew!


A quick photo of me on TV from Sally's phone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! I know I did, and yes, I did have a Valentine, and I had a great time! :-)

Then on "Fat Tuesday" I celebrated Mardi Gras with the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern PA. I was their invited guest to help honor their "King" for 2010, who was from the state of New Jersey. I had the honor of crowning, Tom Reis, and the Mardi Gras King. I also had the honor of meeting Dave "The Hammer" Schultz from the Philadelphia Flyers. Dave was a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, so it was very exciting for me to meet a sports star!

Hanging out beads during Cocktail hour!


With Dave "The Hammer" Schultz from the Philadelphia Flyers!


With the Mardi "King" Tom Reis!

Wednesday, I was on my way, although I was battling a bit of a terrible cold, to Pine Brooke Care Center in Englishtown, NJ to be a part of their Hope for Haiti Concert. The care center employs numerous Haitians who have many family members who were affected by the tragic earthquake. I was so honored and pleased to be a part of that event, and sing for the residents as well as for the employees. I also had the pleasure of meeting the Mayor of Manalapan, Andrew Lucas.

Singing to the Residents during the Concert for Haiti!


With the Mayor of Manalapan!

Then Saturday, I was off to attend the Miss Cumberland County Pageant! I want to congratulate all the contestants on a job well done, and would like to welcome Holly Hunsberger to the Miss NJ family and congratulate her for winning Miss Cumberland County 2010! We are very excited to have you join the excitement of the Miss New Jersey pageant!


Holly, Hunsberger, Miss Cumberland County 2010!


Crownheads!

So now comes another busy week! I will be having a conference call with the National Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, and then National Pancake Day on Tuesday!

Don't forget to come out for National Pancake Day to support the Children's Miracle Network! I will be at the Brick IHOP from 7am-9am on Tuesday, come and stop to get some Free Pancakes!!

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end"

Finally! After a long hiatus from my blog, I'm back! My apologies that I have not had a chance to update before Miss America, but I will quickly share some of the things I did before I left for Vegas.

I first was given 2 complimentary tickets to see Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera. So Sally and myself enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Met, and it just blew me away. It was my first time ever going to the Met, and the production was just incredible! I was so excited to have seen the opera first hand.


Then I was an honored guest at CHOP with Miss Delaware, Heather Lehman for the "Miss CHOP America" Pageant. Unfortunately, we were not able to visit the children because of flu restrictions, but they broadcast Heather and myself Live to the kids rooms. Heather and myself sang for them and answered some questions about ourselves. We had a great time, and were awarded with flowers and banners :-)


Finally, I emceed the Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen Pageant, and I want to congratulate my new little sister, Andie Babusik, MNJOT 2010. I had a wonderful time getting to know the girls, and I'm so excited for the 6 months ahead with my new titleholder! Of course, I will always miss Brenna because she is truly an extroadinary woman., but Andie is a beautiful girl, and she is only 13!


Now onto MISS AMERICA!!





It was the time of my life, and the greatest opportunity to have been blessed with. The women I spend the 10 days have left an indelible mark on my life, and I will never forget the memories and experiences we shared together. I was so proud and honored to represent the great Garden State at Miss America, it was a dream come true.




I was able to walk on the Miss America stage, ride Gondola's at the Venetian, walk in the Fashion show on the longest runway in America, ride Go-Karts, and get to know 52 amazing women from across America. It was exhausting, and we were basically held prisoner for 10 days, but I wouldn't change anything. I promised myself, regardless of the outcome, I was going to have fun, and I did! It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wasn't about to let it slip through my fingers. And as much as my feet were so mad at me by Saturday night (they were swollen for almost three days after) every moment on that stage was wonderful.






As I look back, of course I was disappointed that I did not place higher in the competition because I felt that I had competed to the best of my ability, and deserved a spot in the top 15. However, I wouldn't change a thing, like I said I felt that I had done everything to the best of my ability. I was the best Ashley I could be. I prepared as much as I could, and I knew that there was not another thing I could do to have prepared anymore. I realize that everything happens for a reason, and whatever that reason is, I'm sure I will find out soon enough.






For now, I look forward to the rest of my year and what it has to bring to me. I will also continue to study for Law School, as that is part of my long term goals. I've been approached by some organizations to work with them as a spokeswoman, and I am also going to prepare training for a MS Charity Bike Ride! I'm so excited, and I know that there is so else for my future.


I'm also trying to convince my Mom and Dad to buy a new puppy!! We haven't decided what kind of dog we want, but we hope to maybe rescue a dog.

I'm already booked for some appearances next week, so look for my blog with updates for my upcoming adventures!!

"Dare to be different. Be a pioneer. Be a leader.
Be the kind of woman who in the face of adversity
will continue to embrace life and walk fearlessly
toward the challenge. Be a QUEEN.
Own your power and glory!"
-Oprah Winfrey

In the lobby of the Sheraton, Atlantic City



"Put your hands up, they're playin' my song."


The good luck gifts from the NY GIANTS!!!

With Miss America just weeks away, I want to again recognize all of my sponsors for their tremendous help in preparation for Miss America.

The Red Carpet Prom, Sewell, NJ
Tesi Bridal Boutique, Ventnor, NJ
Tanlines Tanning Studio, East Windsor, NJ
Issalon, East Windsor, NJ
Fitness Zone, East Windsor, NJ

Well I think I can say that I am probably the luckiest girl alive. My send-off was a complete success, and one of the most incredible nights of my life. I think it's safe to say I finally feel like Miss New Jersey, not like it's taken long enough, but I felt like a rockstar on Saturday night. From the wonderful cocktail hour to the final "See you again" dance, I was just on cloud 9, but it went by in the blink of an eye!

Sharing the evening with all my friends and family was a dream come true , and I want to thank everyone that came out to support me and the Miss New Jersey Pageant. I want to share with you a few highlights of the evening in pictures. I hope you enjoy!


The sign in board, it's me in Giants Stadium with "Miss America" in the end-zone.


With Lou and Ashley...yes I was out numbered.


Honorable Gennaro Consalvo, President of The Bonnie Blue Foundation


My wonderful parents!!


My grand entrance!


In the stairwell at the Sheraton, Atlantic City


Receiving a beautiful scrapbook from Kaitlin Davis, who also sang for me that evening!


Cutting the wonderful cake!


me and Sally!


My wonderful Family!!


Carolyn Paulus, my talented voice coach, and Miss Illinois 1972!


My friends!!


With Lou and Silvia, and my little sister Brenna!


Receiving my state pendant from, Mr. Wigdor!


Showing off one of the "perks" of being Miss NJ, the beautiful NJ State Pendant! (.5K Diamond, set in a 18K gold shape of NJ)


All the Miss and Teen contestants in attendance!

And when everything was all said and done, I was back on the job to attend the Miss Liberty pageant on Sunday evening. As a former Miss Liberty, it was honor to welcome Katharyn Nicolle to the sisterhood. She did a lovely job, and I look forward to seeing her on the Miss New Jersey stage. We now have 3 former MNJOTs competing for Miss New Jersey, which is very exciting! I also want to congratulate Michael Kelly and a job well done with his pageant, it was an excellent production, and Chris Saltalamacchio, Mr. Delaware 2008, did a fabulous job as Master of Ceremonies.

Katharyn Nicolle, Miss Liberty 2010!


Former Miss Liberty's!

I also had two BIG dreams come true...first I was sent a personal "Good Luck" note from the NY Giants, and a hand autographed authentic football! That is going right in a glass case! I also received a lot of other cool things too! Now THAT is awesome!! Thank you so much Mark Sarto (Rosanna's husband) for writing a letter to them in my honor!!


Authentic Football, signed by #23 Corey Webster!

And tomorrow night, I will be attending the performance of "Turandot" by Giacomo Puccini, which is the opera where "Nessun Dorma" is from. But I'm not just going to see "Turandot," I'm going to the Metropolian Opera to see it!! I am still in shock because I have never been to the Met, so needless to say, I'm ecstatic!! I promise lots of pictures!!

We are getting down to the wire, so things are crazy! And next week is certainly going to be action packed!!

I hope everyone will come to the crowning of MNJOT 2010, Saturday January 16th at 7pm located at Millville Senior High School. I will be the emcee for the evening, along with the beautiful Brenna Weick. We both will be performing that evening as well! It will be such an exciting night as I find out who will become my new little sister (even though I don't want to loose Brenna :-(...)

Well back to packing everyone!! Health and Happiness until next time!