National American Miss Ashley Thompson Farewell

National American Miss Ashley Thompson Farewell

I could not believe I had won Miss Kentucky 2011-2012 in the Miss division. It was my first pageant and I thought nothing would come of it, but I was wrong!

My name is Ashley Thompson, and I am not an ordinary pageant queen; I am a soldier. I joined the Kentucky National Guard in 2010 and since then, I have loved trying new things. I am a tomboy and have never learned how to use make-up or fix my hair, but I had an amazing journey learning that and more during the national competition in Anaheim, California.

I started my journey with a letter in the mail, open calls, phone interview and a phone call that I had won state queen! I almost thought she was joking! I did not get crowned because of Army training, but I did get to go to nationals and that was amazing! It was my first time going west, my first time going to Disney, and my first pageant! I met some really nice people there. They all helped me, even the other competitors. I originally tried this pageant because it was so different from all the others and anything I have done before. Military training is totally different from the runway, but this pageant has the same values, like integrity. The pageant requires community service, goal setting, and interviewing/speaking skills. These guidelines made for some fierce competition, but great friends! I will never forget going to Disneyland or being on stage, but the best part of it all was that I set a goal and I met it!

One thing that stuck out to me most was during our Thanksgiving banquet, they took the time out to play a slideshow of pictures of the U.S. military and thank them for everything they do. It is amazing to know that there is a beauty pageant that is not all about dresses and swim suits, but caring about the future of its competitors, individually and in the big picture.

I am still meeting new people as I prepare to crown my successor at the state competition and I love every minute of it. Thank you, National American Miss for a wonderful experience and for supporting our troops!

Ashley Thompson, Miss Kentucky, 2011-2012

Author: Matt Leverton

Hello, my name is Matt Leverton. I am the state director for the North Carolina, Georgia, South Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky and Oregon pageants for National American Miss.

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