Saturday, December 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Staying Busy!
My year as Jr. Teen Colorado-Globe is going by so fast!
I’ve been staying busy the past few weeks settling into school, celebrating my 12th birthday and doing a lot of modeling. I was fortunate enough to be selected by a local company called Be Your Own You (BYOU) as one of their featured models for their website, catalog, fashion shows and soon-to-be-released magazine! This is an AMAZING company that promotes positive self-esteem for young girls, online safety and bully prevention. Debra Gano, the Founder & CEO is a former model/actress and is very passionate about the company and the message it shares with young girls across the country. I’m SO proud to be a BYOU girl! Be sure to check out their website at www.beyourownyou.com.
I also participated in the Plum Passion Bridal & Homecoming Fashion Show with my sister queen, Victoria. We had a wonderful time walking the catwalk in our formal dresses! A huge thank you goes out to Tori Paplow-Apodaca, owner of Bronze & Beautiful and Bling Fix, who helped make me look beautiful for the show and is looking to partner together for future appearances throughout the year. She does a fabulous job with makeup and her custom designed Bling Fix shoes and accessories are to die for! Check out Tori’s services at www.bronzeandbeautiful.com and www.blingfix.com.
I’ve also added a handful of new school activities to my list recently. I was selected as a Grandparent’s Day Ambassador, Conflict Mediator and invited to audition for the All County Orchestra. I was also accepted into the Foothills Youth Council, which I am SO excited about! My main goal in the Council is to do as many community service projects as possible and to build on my volunteer work at Morningstar Assisted Living by getting the other members involved there as well. My selection to join was based on both an application and face to face interview. My interview skills really helped since I am now the youngest member of the Council and they couldn’t believe that I’m only 12!
I’m working with a wonderful talent agency and have been staying busy with photo shoots and auditions for them as well! I feel so blessed to have so many new opportunities becoming available for me. Life is never dull for this queen. All of my Jr Teen Colorado-Globe photos and modeling photos have been taken by Christy Williams of Christyann Photography. She's amazing and is so much fun to work with so be sure to check out Christyann Photography on Facebook!
I’m excited to see what else is waiting for me this year and am so fortunate to be able to represent such a wonderful organization. I am already thinking about the moment when I get to crown the 2012 Jr Teen Colorado-Globe and there will DEFINITELY be tears!
I’ve been staying busy the past few weeks settling into school, celebrating my 12th birthday and doing a lot of modeling. I was fortunate enough to be selected by a local company called Be Your Own You (BYOU) as one of their featured models for their website, catalog, fashion shows and soon-to-be-released magazine! This is an AMAZING company that promotes positive self-esteem for young girls, online safety and bully prevention. Debra Gano, the Founder & CEO is a former model/actress and is very passionate about the company and the message it shares with young girls across the country. I’m SO proud to be a BYOU girl! Be sure to check out their website at www.beyourownyou.com.
I also participated in the Plum Passion Bridal & Homecoming Fashion Show with my sister queen, Victoria. We had a wonderful time walking the catwalk in our formal dresses! A huge thank you goes out to Tori Paplow-Apodaca, owner of Bronze & Beautiful and Bling Fix, who helped make me look beautiful for the show and is looking to partner together for future appearances throughout the year. She does a fabulous job with makeup and her custom designed Bling Fix shoes and accessories are to die for! Check out Tori’s services at www.bronzeandbeautiful.com and www.blingfix.com.
I’ve also added a handful of new school activities to my list recently. I was selected as a Grandparent’s Day Ambassador, Conflict Mediator and invited to audition for the All County Orchestra. I was also accepted into the Foothills Youth Council, which I am SO excited about! My main goal in the Council is to do as many community service projects as possible and to build on my volunteer work at Morningstar Assisted Living by getting the other members involved there as well. My selection to join was based on both an application and face to face interview. My interview skills really helped since I am now the youngest member of the Council and they couldn’t believe that I’m only 12!
I’m working with a wonderful talent agency and have been staying busy with photo shoots and auditions for them as well! I feel so blessed to have so many new opportunities becoming available for me. Life is never dull for this queen. All of my Jr Teen Colorado-Globe photos and modeling photos have been taken by Christy Williams of Christyann Photography. She's amazing and is so much fun to work with so be sure to check out Christyann Photography on Facebook!
I’m excited to see what else is waiting for me this year and am so fortunate to be able to represent such a wonderful organization. I am already thinking about the moment when I get to crown the 2012 Jr Teen Colorado-Globe and there will DEFINITELY be tears!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Putting My Crown To Work
I have had so much fun the past week with the Douglas County Rodeo & Fair, plus I spent Monday with my sister queen Victoria Korthuis (Teen Colorado-World) and Janell Ames (Mrs. Colorado).
The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo was so much fun! I was involved in almost all of the events with the Rodeo Queens and was even decked out like a real cowgirl all weekend in the 90 degree heat! Two of my favorite activities of the weekend were being in a fashion show for Roper western wear and being able to ride in the back of the truck with the Rodeo Royalty while the barrels were brought out for barrel racing. I also enjoyed being able to ride in the Douglas County Parade in a beautiful white limo thanks to Tom Calhoun with Remax Realty in Castle Rock and Melanie Calhoun with Premier Designs jewelry. It was truly a ride fit for a queen and I had a royally fun weekend!
The Queen For A Day program was so fun and heartwarming. I loved being able to hear stories of healing, share my time with those still struggling and meet all of the wonderful kids! Seeing their eyes light up at seeing Tori, Janell and I was such a special feeling to know that we were brightening their day. Each one of the children that we met is truly a hero for the fight they are living. I definitely hope to be involved with the Queen For A Day program again.
I signed so many autographs the past week throughout both of my appearances that it’s time to get some new cards made soon! I’m embracing every chance I have to get out in the community and put my crown and banner to good use.
Next up for Jr. Teen Colorado-World (aside from starting 6th grade next week) will be emceeing the Miss Yampa Valley pageant in October, appearing at a few pageants in October, November & December and an upcoming trip to Miss America in January! I’m always looking for new appearance opportunities so please let me know if you hear of anything that I should look into. My year has been amazing so far and I’m excited to see what’s next!
Ashley Berry
Jr. Teen Colorado-World
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Memories of a lifetime at the Jr. Teen United States-World pageant!
Wow, I can’t believe it’s already over as I sit at the airport about to head back to Denver. I feel like just yesterday I was walking into the hotel about to begin the most exciting week of my life!
On the plane and headed to Houston!
My favorite part of the entire week was being able to meet new friends like Paige (Jr. Miss SC), Rylie (Jr. Miss FL & the NEW Jr. Teen United States-World!), Alannakai (Jr. Miss HI), and Allie (Jr. Miss United States-World 2010)! Being spray tanned for the first time was…interesting. I have to admit though that it made me look GREAT on stage. I also really enjoyed being able to hang out with the best sister queens ever; Victoria Korthuis, Teen Colorado-World and Jessica Hartman, Miss Colorado Intercontinental and your NEW Miss United States Intercontinental!
I think my family might have enjoyed competition week just as much as I did. My dad and little brother enjoyed going to an Astros game, Dave & Busters, the movies, the mall and swimming as often as possible. I know my mom loved hanging out by the pool with Tori’s mom while we were in rehearsals, and seemed to have her own group of “pageant moms” to visit with each morning while they waited for us to get done with hair & makeup at 6:00 am.
Ready for check in with Allie Marx, Jr. Miss United States-World 2010.
The CO queens: Ashley Jr. Miss CO-World, Jessica Hartman Miss CO Intercontinental (and the NEW Miss United States Intercontinental) and Victoria Korthuis Miss Teen CO-World.
Fun with friends (Allie Marx Jr. Miss United States-World & Paige Holloway Jr. Miss SC-World) during hair & makeup.
Interview time with Jr. Miss CA Kaylyn Slevin (1st runner up) and Jr. Miss AL Savanna Bussey.
I enjoyed each phase of competition including interview, evening gown and casual wear. Interview was AMAZING and so much fun!!! I love being able to show my personality and I loved knowing that one of the judges is been on food network, because I LOVE the food network and even had that included on my bio sheet. For evening gown, I loved how beautiful I felt when I walked on stage. It’s the one phase of competition that I love 100%! Casual wear, where do I start? I loved everyone’s outfits, they were all so cute. The best part though is being able to just be yourself and enjoy the stage time you have!
Orientation with Jr. Miss HI Alanakai Mahelona and Jr. Miss FL (soon to be Jr. Teen United States-World) Rylie Spicker.
I absolutely LOVED my interview dress!
The only thing that I DIDN’T enjoy throughout the week was getting up at 5:30 am for hair and makeup, but it was all worth it when I saw how amazing I looked thanks to my hair & makeup artists Austin Ryde and Michael Bondi!
Hair and makeup for preliminary night.
Hair and makeup for finals.
Although I didn’t place in the Top 5, I’m extremely proud of how I represented CO and am excited at my year ahead. The judges did an EXCELLENT job in selecting Rylie Spicker of FL as the new Jr. Teen United States-World. Not only was she crowned the new queen, but she was also selected as Miss Congeniality by all of the Jr. Teen contestants and I had lovingly been referring to her as my “little sister” all week. After supporting my wonderful sister queen Tori in the Teen United States-World competition where she placed in the Top 20, I enjoyed wrapping up competition week by swimming till 12 am with some of my pageant buddies!
The next day as everyone else was packing up and heading home, I enjoyed some one on one time with my wonderful new friend Alana (Jr. Miss HI) as our families went to the mall together and we bungee jumped and ice skated. Afterwards, my family was fortunate enough to stay for a few extra days of family vacation time and celebrating the 4th of July in Houston. It was nice to unwind with my first trip ever to the ocean when we went to the beach in Galveston!
Getting a photo with the NEW Jr. Teen United States-World Rylie Spicker, who I lovingly called my little sister all week!
Getting ready to watch the Teen United States-World finals with Jr. Miss MA Sahar Pavit, 3rd runner up & Jr. Miss SC Paige Holloway, 2nd runner up.
Pool time fun after orientation.
Can you believe this was the first night and we had just met?!
Ice skating at Galleria Mall with Jr. Miss HI Alanakai Mahelona after everyone else had headed home.
Alana needed a little help (she's from Hawaii after all!) so I never went too far.
My first view of the ocean and trip to the beach on the 4th of July in Galveston. I even found Larry, the hermit crab!
My message in the sand...Don't Stop Believing!
I have SO many people to thank and barely know where to begin. A BIG thank you to Christina, for all of the advice, encouragement and coaching. Tori and Jessica, thank you both for being the BEST big sister queens ever! Mom, thanks for supporting me every step of the way, even when we did get on each other’s last nerve. Dad and Robbie, thanks for putting up with my early morning schedule while you were trying to sleep. Michael and Austin, thanks for doing such a fantastic job on my hair and makeup, you always made sure I shined on stage! Jennifer, thank you so much for flying out to support and cheer for us CO girls. Tricia & Russell, thank you for being what my mom refers to as “Ashley fans” and always encouraging me throughout the competition. Thank you to all of my sponsors and supporters who have donated support either financially or emotionally since I was crowned Jr. Miss Colorado-World. Lastly, to Gaspar and ALL of the staff at nationals, thank you for running an amazing pageant. I had so much fun and would go through it all again in a heartbeat!
With Christina Sacha, the best director ever and Victoria Korthuis, the best sister queen anyone could ever ask for!
Getting a special photo after finals with Tricia Dampier author of "Some Of My Best Friends Are Beauty Queens" and a wonderful support to me since I was crowned Jr. Miss Colorado-World.
Jennifer Nackelrud who traveled all the way from CO to cheer for me and Tori.
Well, as I board my plane it’s now time to say good- bye to Jr. Teen United States-World nationals in Houston, Texas as I head back to non- humid Colorado and embrace my remaining year as QUEEN!
Ready to head home as one of the luckiest girls in the state of Colorado!
With love,
Ashley Berry
Jr. Miss Colorado-World
My favorite part of the entire week was being able to meet new friends like Paige (Jr. Miss SC), Rylie (Jr. Miss FL & the NEW Jr. Teen United States-World!), Alannakai (Jr. Miss HI), and Allie (Jr. Miss United States-World 2010)! Being spray tanned for the first time was…interesting. I have to admit though that it made me look GREAT on stage. I also really enjoyed being able to hang out with the best sister queens ever; Victoria Korthuis, Teen Colorado-World and Jessica Hartman, Miss Colorado Intercontinental and your NEW Miss United States Intercontinental!
I think my family might have enjoyed competition week just as much as I did. My dad and little brother enjoyed going to an Astros game, Dave & Busters, the movies, the mall and swimming as often as possible. I know my mom loved hanging out by the pool with Tori’s mom while we were in rehearsals, and seemed to have her own group of “pageant moms” to visit with each morning while they waited for us to get done with hair & makeup at 6:00 am.
I enjoyed each phase of competition including interview, evening gown and casual wear. Interview was AMAZING and so much fun!!! I love being able to show my personality and I loved knowing that one of the judges is been on food network, because I LOVE the food network and even had that included on my bio sheet. For evening gown, I loved how beautiful I felt when I walked on stage. It’s the one phase of competition that I love 100%! Casual wear, where do I start? I loved everyone’s outfits, they were all so cute. The best part though is being able to just be yourself and enjoy the stage time you have!
The only thing that I DIDN’T enjoy throughout the week was getting up at 5:30 am for hair and makeup, but it was all worth it when I saw how amazing I looked thanks to my hair & makeup artists Austin Ryde and Michael Bondi!
Although I didn’t place in the Top 5, I’m extremely proud of how I represented CO and am excited at my year ahead. The judges did an EXCELLENT job in selecting Rylie Spicker of FL as the new Jr. Teen United States-World. Not only was she crowned the new queen, but she was also selected as Miss Congeniality by all of the Jr. Teen contestants and I had lovingly been referring to her as my “little sister” all week. After supporting my wonderful sister queen Tori in the Teen United States-World competition where she placed in the Top 20, I enjoyed wrapping up competition week by swimming till 12 am with some of my pageant buddies!
The next day as everyone else was packing up and heading home, I enjoyed some one on one time with my wonderful new friend Alana (Jr. Miss HI) as our families went to the mall together and we bungee jumped and ice skated. Afterwards, my family was fortunate enough to stay for a few extra days of family vacation time and celebrating the 4th of July in Houston. It was nice to unwind with my first trip ever to the ocean when we went to the beach in Galveston!
I have SO many people to thank and barely know where to begin. A BIG thank you to Christina, for all of the advice, encouragement and coaching. Tori and Jessica, thank you both for being the BEST big sister queens ever! Mom, thanks for supporting me every step of the way, even when we did get on each other’s last nerve. Dad and Robbie, thanks for putting up with my early morning schedule while you were trying to sleep. Michael and Austin, thanks for doing such a fantastic job on my hair and makeup, you always made sure I shined on stage! Jennifer, thank you so much for flying out to support and cheer for us CO girls. Tricia & Russell, thank you for being what my mom refers to as “Ashley fans” and always encouraging me throughout the competition. Thank you to all of my sponsors and supporters who have donated support either financially or emotionally since I was crowned Jr. Miss Colorado-World. Lastly, to Gaspar and ALL of the staff at nationals, thank you for running an amazing pageant. I had so much fun and would go through it all again in a heartbeat!
Well, as I board my plane it’s now time to say good- bye to Jr. Teen United States-World nationals in Houston, Texas as I head back to non- humid Colorado and embrace my remaining year as QUEEN!
With love,
Ashley Berry
Jr. Miss Colorado-World
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Loving the life of a queen!
What a busy few weeks!
On June 4th I appeared at the Royal Image Boutique with my beautiful sister queen Tori. I loved being able to sign autographs and help customers shop for gowns. Spending time with Tori is always a treat whether we’re at an appearance or enjoying a fun girl’s day at the mall together! Speaking of sister queens, we were also able to spend some time with Jessica Hartman who came into Royal Image that afternoon to shop for her evening gown as she joins us in Houston to compete as Miss Colorado Intercontinental. I’m so excited to get to know Jessica better during our time together at nationals. I want to thank Raeanne at Royal Image for a wonderful day. Her gowns always make me look and feel beautiful on stage!
My new autograph cards wearing my beautiful gown from the Royal Image Boutique.
Later that week on June 7th I also had the opportunity through my voice coach to appear at a local community church event honoring some of our nations heros and veterans. I was thrilled to be introduced in my crown and banner as I performed Amazing Grace, as well as my own special performance of Castle On A Cloud from Les Miserable that I was blessed to win a recent talent competition with.
Sneaking a little dessert after my performance!
I also had a blast at my recent fundraising night this past week at Rib City Grill for Jr. Miss Colorado-World Night. Thank you to everyone who joined us or supported me in any way! A big thank you also goes out to those who donated items for our silent auction; Tricia Dampier, Rib City Grill, Aristocutz, Old Chicago, Attorney’s Lloyd Pearcy & Michael Sunoo and Toast. I loved being able to see all of my friends and pageant family who came out just to support ME! Thank you all so much!
Signing autographs during my big night.
The ladies of Colorado-World! Victoria Korthuis, Miss Teen Colorado-World & Christina Sacha, Executive Director.
Having some fun with my wonderful friend Alina Perry, who was crowned Miss Colorado American Coed Teen just 2 days earlier.
I wrapped up this week by spending this morning at the Evergreen Rodeo Parade. Having lived in Evergreen until just a few years ago, I had so much fun being back in my hometown. All of the Rodeo Queens were so nice and I am already looking forward to joining some of them at the Douglas County Rodeo later this summer. The last time that I rode in the Evergreen Rodeo parade was when I was 6 and I rode alongside my mom for both of our pageant titles. What a different experience to have her driving me this time! I loved hearing all of the little girls saying, “Look it’s a princess!” and I couldn’t have felt any more special than I did today.
It’s hard to believe that I leave for the Jr. Miss United States-World competition in exactly 1 week! I’m SO excited to meet all of the other queens and share this amazing experience with my sister queens, friends and family who will all be there. I’ve worked hard to prepare and am excited to see what my future holds. I can’t thank you all enough for the wonderful support, prayers, cards and gifts that have been shared with me. I love you all and couldn’t do this without your support. Chances are, I won’t have time to write another blog entry before I leave next weekend but I am sure that my mom will keep everyone updated during competition week. Wish me luck and hopefully the next time that I sign on, it will be as Jr. Miss United States-World!
On June 4th I appeared at the Royal Image Boutique with my beautiful sister queen Tori. I loved being able to sign autographs and help customers shop for gowns. Spending time with Tori is always a treat whether we’re at an appearance or enjoying a fun girl’s day at the mall together! Speaking of sister queens, we were also able to spend some time with Jessica Hartman who came into Royal Image that afternoon to shop for her evening gown as she joins us in Houston to compete as Miss Colorado Intercontinental. I’m so excited to get to know Jessica better during our time together at nationals. I want to thank Raeanne at Royal Image for a wonderful day. Her gowns always make me look and feel beautiful on stage!
Later that week on June 7th I also had the opportunity through my voice coach to appear at a local community church event honoring some of our nations heros and veterans. I was thrilled to be introduced in my crown and banner as I performed Amazing Grace, as well as my own special performance of Castle On A Cloud from Les Miserable that I was blessed to win a recent talent competition with.
I also had a blast at my recent fundraising night this past week at Rib City Grill for Jr. Miss Colorado-World Night. Thank you to everyone who joined us or supported me in any way! A big thank you also goes out to those who donated items for our silent auction; Tricia Dampier, Rib City Grill, Aristocutz, Old Chicago, Attorney’s Lloyd Pearcy & Michael Sunoo and Toast. I loved being able to see all of my friends and pageant family who came out just to support ME! Thank you all so much!
I wrapped up this week by spending this morning at the Evergreen Rodeo Parade. Having lived in Evergreen until just a few years ago, I had so much fun being back in my hometown. All of the Rodeo Queens were so nice and I am already looking forward to joining some of them at the Douglas County Rodeo later this summer. The last time that I rode in the Evergreen Rodeo parade was when I was 6 and I rode alongside my mom for both of our pageant titles. What a different experience to have her driving me this time! I loved hearing all of the little girls saying, “Look it’s a princess!” and I couldn’t have felt any more special than I did today.
It’s hard to believe that I leave for the Jr. Miss United States-World competition in exactly 1 week! I’m SO excited to meet all of the other queens and share this amazing experience with my sister queens, friends and family who will all be there. I’ve worked hard to prepare and am excited to see what my future holds. I can’t thank you all enough for the wonderful support, prayers, cards and gifts that have been shared with me. I love you all and couldn’t do this without your support. Chances are, I won’t have time to write another blog entry before I leave next weekend but I am sure that my mom will keep everyone updated during competition week. Wish me luck and hopefully the next time that I sign on, it will be as Jr. Miss United States-World!
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