Congratulations to Miss Courtney Meade! I first met her when we competed at Miss Smith Mountain Lake 2011. It was her first competition within the Miss America Organization and I couldn’t help but share all that I’ve learned these past two years as a contestant and title holder. I could see it in her eyes that she was realizing the potential impact this crown affords. Then just last week I saw it in her eyes, this time with a tear, that she recognized her chance to actualize that potential. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished in such a short time, but she is no where near finished! Courtney- I can’t wait to watch our friendship grow!

As her first appearance Miss Hill City joined the Miss Smith Mountain Lake and Miss Blue Ridge Organization at the Chic-fila at the Valley View Mall. Check out the neat pics!

Congratulations to my friends Courtney Meade and Courtney Garrett for joining the Miss VA 2011 class as Miss Hill City and Miss Lynchburg respectively.

I am so proud of each of them!

<– The photo to the right is Miss Lynchburg Courtney Garrett. Properly “stolen” from her parent’s camera. More pf my own photos to come

Miss Garrett competed that evening for the first time in the Miss age division, having previously been Miss Virginia’s Outstanding teen.  On January 23rd she walked away with seemingly EVERY preliminary award! She was so impressive that night, as per usual, and is such a sweet girl. I met her and her family about a year ago and just fell in love with them! Her platform, although I am sure it has a clever name, helps bring to light the difficulties that individuals with disabilities have and helps raise not only awareness but also respect for these friends. She honors her brother with this platform and it just oozes love at every turn. Go Courtney! Although I initially expected her to wait a few years to compete as a Miss (since she is so young, and just recently completed her year as Miss VAOT) she knew it was her time when she learned that Miss Lynchburg offers an 8,000 Liberty University scholarship that has to be spread out over 4 years. Since she is a freshman at Liberty, this was perfect for her! Now she can keep doing all the wonderful work she’s been doing, and keep earning scholarship money to further her education. What a primo package! Although she hasn’t said it, I bet the new Miss America inspired her too. Miss America 2011,Teresa Scanlan, was just 17 when she won a few weeks ago too. If you’re reading this Courtney, I hope you are as excited as I am to spend the week with you in Roanoke this summer competing for Miss VA.

A fun description about Miss Hill City, Courtney is on its way! Patience is a virtue my friends.

Earlier today from Facebook and Twitter I proclaimed “I HATE OVERHEARING “HA, I TOTALLY BLACKED OUT”. GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF! THIS IS SO BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WHAT TYPE OF EXAMPLE DO YOU SET?”

I completely didn’t see a debate on this topic coming forward via facebook! I’m glad to see that people were interested and to hear the viewpoints from both sides.  I am clearly biased, as you will see in the coming “soap box session” I had while my dinner was cooking. Here was my response…

On health- alcohol is a toxin, isnt it? And I’m no doctor, but blacking out is poisoning your body to the point that parts of your brain are shutting down…Right? And let’s just say we agree to disagree with that point, then I have a few follow up ideas. It’s proven that risky behaviors follow consuming alcohol. Even one drink can be enough for a person to not make the same decisions they typically make and regret it the next day if not the rest of their lives. You may say “I would never drink and drive” but if you are intoxicated there are no promises that you wont make the wrong decision. Other opportunities for a mis-hap include agreeing to go somewhere with strangers, saying something hurtful to your best friend, making the wrong impression on a new special someone, making risky sexual decisions, even mis-judging the sidewalk and landing flat on your face causing you to need emergency jaw surgery, or let’s just go right out and say it- what about DYING or KILLING someone else. I agree Alcohol is not the epitome of all evil, but I think it’s important to make healthier decisions about it, and to make sure that we arent minimizing the complications of consuming alcohol to teens. ESPECIALLY TEENS! Their brains haven’t fully developed yet, and consuming alcohol as a teen can cut their potential WAAAAY short. All in all, I think we have enough social ills as is and we dont need to perpetuate this one. Let’s tell kids and teens the truth about what happens when you drink alcohol. Let’s not mislead younger generations into thinking drinking is what we should do for fun. Let’s be responsible! Know that before you’re 21 you should not drink, and after 21 you should drink responsibly.

Thank you for letting me stand on my Soap-Box. 1st for letting me get taller for a few minutes and 2nd for letting me share my opinion.

** Image credit to http://www.cancer.ie/prevention/drinking_less.php

Hello Readers!

I was so excited to be a part of the Miss Mountain Empire Scholarship Pageant on January 22d. The executive director, Allison Woods invited me to be an MC alongside Farahn Morgan many moons ago! Before I was ever really qualified for the job, haha! The weather held off so that traveling to Abingdon went off without a hitch, and rehearsal was as smooth as ever. I was even outfitted by Tricia’s by design, a lovely sponsor of the Miss Smith Mountain Lake Organization. It was

wonderful to finally meet Tricia at her shop in Ft. Blackmore Virginia, and her shop was lovely! She carries many different designers and creates custom designs to meet everyones needs. Check out her website HERE! I can’t wait to continue the search for Miss Virginia Apparel.  Beyond meeting with her, she allowed me to showcase a cocktail and an evening gown on stage at the Miss Mountain Empire pageant. If anyone has photos, let me know, I would love to post them here! Overall it was a FUN trip, and I loved sharing my “wisdom” and “jokes” with the audience and the competitors.

Welcome to the Miss VA Class of 2011 to Miss Maggie Lawson!

On the way home with my sister queen, Miss Blue Ridge, Emily Hall, we stopped by the Mill Mountain Star in Roanoke! Stay tuned for another photo with the star in the background!

Hello All!

I was so shocked to find out the number of views to my website since April2010. Thank you all for being so loyal

OVER 18,000 Visits!! WOW!

*Photo Credit to Rick Myers from our shoot in November

Hello Friends!

Time has been flying by as I have assumed the responsibilities of Miss Smith Mountain Lake! I love every minute of it as I am getting the opportunity to promote my platform, grow, learn and prepare for Miss Virginia 2011. If not already prepared, these next 6 months as Miss Smith Mountain Lake will provide me EXCELLENT training to be a wonderful Miss Virginia. Ahh! My heart pounds when I think of the number of lives I could impact if I were to travel 40,000 miles as Miss Virginia, let alone the chance to compete for the title of Miss America and stand as a strong role model for MILLIONS. What an honor that would be.

For the rest of 2011, I am going to take a more relaxed approach to my blog posts. They are going to have a much more informal tone and will serve as a way to update you all about my journey. This way I can post more frequently without fretting over the perfection of the posts. I am sure you, my readers, would appreciate more frequency over perfection anyway! So this is a win-win decision for all.

To get updated with what I have done as Miss Smith Mountain Lake 2011 be sure to check out that website as well!

Click here to View my Photo Summary!

This link provides a summary of the past few months in pictures that you can access before I add that functionality to this website!

Hello Everyone!

Last Friday as I was recapping my Miss Apple Blossom experience (another fun photo from the opening number is pictured to the left) I also announced my Miss Smith Mountain Lake competition plans. If you were surprised by my plans to compete, don’t feel alone! It was certainly not something I foresaw at the beginning of the pageant season.  I may have mentioned it earlier, but just to reiterate, I didn’t think I was going to be able to compete at Smith Mountain Lake because of my academic schedule, but luckily it shifted! YAY! Which meant I was able to compete.

Unfortunately my parents were not able to be there, because they were celebrating birthdays in Las Vegas! Maybe its a sign I need to get myself to Vegas this January to watch Miss America…hint hint, mom and dad maybe as a Christmas present… Okay, they didn’t catch the hint yet so let’s move on, haha!

Miss Smith Mountain Lake was a one day pageant, so we had interviews in the morning, then rehearsal, and then the big show started! I knew it was going to be a good day when I woke up sans alarm before 6 am because I was hungry! I didnt know that could even happen!? Soon after I had many friends stepping in to help me prepare, and I couldn’t have done it without them. THANK YOU!

I felt as ready as ever for interview (a photo taken after I had already changed out of my interview dress with the other ladies who hadn’t finished their interviews yet is pictured to the right), and really had a few light-bulb moments during interview. I have now figured out what it takes to get my mind turned on before interview! YAY!

Due to time constraints, I am going to leave you chomping at the bit for the rest of the story TO BE CONTINUED…STAY TUNED! Although in all seriousness you do know the end of the first chapter of this story…I did become Miss Smith Mountain Lake 2011 that night I can’t wait to chare the rest of the details, however SCHOOL COMES FIRST and I’ve got homework due in about 24 hours!

Thank you to Hester Fletch for capturing these photos, and to Julius Tolentino (again) for the photos from Miss Apple Blossom.  Thank you so much for helping me become Miss Smith Mountain Lake everyone! As I said in my interview “I will not let you down”. This is going to be a tremendous year.

~Ashley Faucher

Miss Smith Mountain Lake 2011

Hello Friends!

On November 6th I got the chance to compete for the title of Miss Apple Blossom! It was a lot of fun to get back into the swing of things, and to meet up with my pageant friends and family.  I especially enjoyed that I took several risks! I sang a new song “Walking in Memphis” (a photo of my performance is located to the right) AND wore a Lime Green evening gown (many photos are to follow). I’m a wild and crazy kid, I know, haha! Singing a popular song caused me to REALLY step out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I did because now I am convinced that no matter what I preform I will always be able to walk off the stage with my head held high well unless of course I do a gymnastics routine and fall…but I do not see that happening in the short term…but on the other hand I wouldn’t put it past myself. you know me, always willing to try something new!

I am proud to announce that I made 4th runner up! Considering the fact that when I started competing within the Miss America Organization I was too afraid to compete at Apple Blossom because I considered the girls who competed there to be lifelong experts, I am VERY proud of the fact that I placed in the top 5 for two years in a row! Additionally I was super excited to be in the court for the new Miss Apple Blossom because the winner was my friend Charlotte Fraser! We’ve had many a heart to heart conversations about the journey we’ve had together, and to be there on her special day was awesome! Go Charlotte!! As expected her crowning moments were a blur, but I made sure to clear things up for her with a tour of my hometown the following morning.

I want to wish congratulations on the winner from this past weekend, and also a Good Luck to the entire team! Pictured to the left are the winners for this year…Miss Apple Blossom~ Charlotte Fraser. Miss Apple Blossom Outstanding Teen~ Kristina Vivas. Miss Apple Blossom Outstanding Pre-teen~ Trilby Brown. Hopefully I get to cross paths with you all and your shiny hats during the Bloom

Below is a photo of the fantastic Miss Virginia 2010 Caitlin Uze, volunteer photographer Julius Tolentino, and myself after they crowned our friend Charlotte!

The Miss Apple Blossom 2011 Court

My next endeavor will actually start about 15 hours from now! I am pleased to announce that I will be competing for Miss Smith Mountain Lake. Southwest Virginia holds a special place in my heart. Additionally, the strong connection I have with Feeding America Southwest Virginia as a volunteer and a part of their speakers bureau will lend well to continue making an impact on this region.

I have the passion and drive to power me through a wonderful year as Miss Smith Mountain Lake. I hope for this title because I want this team to steer me in the right direction in my journey to Miss Virginia! I am ready for the opportunities and obligations associated with this title, BRING IT ON!

If you would like more information about this weekend’s competition please refer to the Miss Smith Mountain Lake Website http://misssml.webs.com/ competition details are posted

**Thank you to Julius Tolentino for capturing this evening in photo. For more of his photos check out his photo site! http://www.pbase.com/nikonbuff/2011missappleblossom&page=35

Hello Friends!

I am currently on a crazy ride called SENIOR YEAR at Virginia Tech, all of the following pictures are from various events throughout the past few months.  Senior year, I knew it would be tough, but I didn’t realize it would be this tough.   Classes are most challenging, and on the same token they are the most important!  I am continuing to excel, but I will say it is no walk in the park.  Late nights are common, and team work is necessary; and that is all before the curve-ball of my career search.  Because the job-market is so competitive, it is not uncommon for companies to put prospective employees through 4 or more rounds of interviews- including on-site interviews, which in my case might span the US and Canada!

The coolest part of my career search is that I find myself gravitating to companies who make a difference in peoples lives. This shouldn’t be a surprise as this is my life’s goal after all, but this means that several of the companies I am considering allow new hires to defer their start date in order to complete a term of service for organizations such as Teach for America. Similarly, these companies would encourage a year of service as Miss Virginia, and then Miss America.

HOW COOL!  Although, you should also know that the realist in me kicks in and I recognize that the first things must come first… (1) I have to actually make it through the interview process for these opportunities  (2) I have to sustain a high academic standard  (3) I have to manage my time VERY well, and any “spare” time has to be balanced between taking care of myself, strengthening relationships with friends and family and preparing for the position of Miss Virginia  (4) I have to actually win a local title

With all that being said, here is a summary thought…

“I believe in a lot of things, but most importantly I believe in myself.”~Ashley Faucher

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to say that the CMN fund-raising I’ve completed thus far this fall has gone swimmingly! So far with the help of some of my brothers, I have collected over $800 to benefit the CMN Hospital in Roanoke, VA.  It’s thrilling to think of the number of lives that this lump of collected spare change will impact. Thank you Hokies (and Dukes, Chippewas, Deamon Deacons)!!

~ In addition to CMN I have taken on a few more responsibilities.  This fall I have become the Community Service Chair for my Fraternity. This may not sound like an impressive title, but it sure does include a lot of work!  In the spring semester, the community service chair position is much more structured because of Relay for Life and the Big Event.  However, in the fall we do not have set events, so I decided to provide my brothers with many options for service projects, and they choose which projects to get involved in.  This is a prime example of one of those “brilliant ideas” that I have, and end up wanting to stub my toe about because it’s such a pain in the neck. Just kidding!

In all seriousness it has been a blast organizing service events. So far we have collected spare change for the Children’s Miracle Network, created greeting cards for children suffering from cancer, and distributed flyers for a Halloween themed food drive.  On the horizon we have the Spooky Food Drive, more card making (but for Veterans this time), Hokies for the Hungry, canned food sorting at the Feeding America Southwest Virginia Food Bank, cleaning and repairing a home in Christiansburg, visiting the VA hospital in Roanoke, more CMN fund-raising and possibly more.  It is a lot of work, especially since we are a professional engineering fraternity, and not strictly a service organization.  Regardless, I know all the hard work is worth it.

Stay tuned for updates on service, there’s more to come. Hopefully they include pictures!