Miss Louisiana International 2013 Is Looking For Sponsors!

I'm so proud to say that I have a tremendous support base helping me get ready for the 2013 Miss International Pageant in July 2013! Now that I am almost done raising my initial pageant fees, it's time to focus on what I need for the actual pageant itself.

I would be honored if you or your business will assist me through sponsorship. I am seeking donations of any amount, whether the sponsorship is monetary or services rendered, such as fitness training or beauty services.

Getting your business to sponsor me does have perks! Speaking engagements, event appearances, or advertising! Shoot me an email to chat about this!

Here's the breakdown:

• Flight Accommodations to Chicago, IL (Valued at $350)
• Hotel Accommodations for Pageant Week, July 21-27, 2013 (Valued at $550)
• Fitness or Opening Outfit Wardrobe (Each valued at $250)
• 2013 Miss International Souvenir Program Ad ($800 for half-page, $1000 for full-page)

Please email or comment below to receive my official sponsorship packet. It's simple and easy! You have the option of making a donation for your desired amount, or sponsoring something more specific from the options above!

Checks/Money Orders can be mailed to my pageant mailbox at P.O. Box 44453, Capitol Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.

Secure online payments can also be sent here (subject to small Paypal transaction fee). Or I can issue you a secure Paypal invoice (No fees).

Thank you all so much for your continued support of my goal to become Miss International 2013!

Know Your Heart Organizations!

Many national pageants have a platform they also require contestants, and ultimately the queen, to promote. As a pageant queen it is important to know the difference between organizations, including their mission statements, funding sources, and target audiences! Make sure you're promoting the right organization that your national pageant is affiliated with!

I have had the honor to be apart of two national pageant organizations, both choosing to focus on heart health for women: The Heart Truth Campaign of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and Go Red For Women of the American Heart Association.

As Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012, I was the voice of The Heart Truth Campaign of The National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).  The institute is part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). To make women more aware of the danger of heart disease, the (NHLBI) and partner organizations have formed this campaign to give women a personal and urgent wake up call about their risk of heart disease. The campaign is especially aimed at women ages 40 to 60, the age when a woman's risk of heart disease starts to rise. But its messages are also important for younger women, since heart disease develops gradually and can start at a young age-even in the teenage years. Older women have an interest too—it's never too late to take action to prevent and control the risk factors for heart disease. Even those who have heart disease can improve their heart health and quality of life. The Heart Truth Campaign leads the nation in a landmark heart health AWARENESS movement which is embraced by millions with the common goal of improving heart health for women.

Now, as Miss Louisiana International 2013, it is my duty to promote and partner with the Go Red For Women movement of the American Heart Association (AHA). To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women – a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health in 2004. Go Red For Women encourages awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and also action to save more lives. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. In 2010, the American Heart Association set a strategic goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20% while improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by the year 2020.

So what's the difference between the two??

Scientific research is and always has been the cornerstone of the American Heart Association's mission. Research provides knowledge that leads to lifesaving treatments and cures, thus making the organization a leading FUNDING source for advances in heart health. The organization has funded more than $3.3 billion in lifesaving cardiovascular research, second only to the federal government. The American Heart Association's scientific statements, guidelines, and medical publications are the most authoritative sources in the field.

A united front...By working together to advance this important cause, the American Heart Association, NHLBI, and other women’s health groups will have a greater impact than any one group could have alone. The NHLBI introduced the red dress as a national symbol for women and heart disease awareness and the American Heart Association adopted this symbol to create synergy among all organizations committed to fighting this

cause.

I am honored to serve the American Heart Association throughout the state of Louisiana on their Speaker's Bureau. Today I met with the capital area events coordinator to begin planning appearances throughout my reign as Miss Louisiana International 2013, including the National Wear Red Day ad that I posed for today! Look for it soon in a mailbox near you! Want me to speak at your event about heart health?? Shoot me an email.

The American Heart Association celebrates 10 years of Going Red by Wearing Red on February 1, 2013!

2012 LSU Holiday Celebration

I had the honor of attending the 2012 LSU Holiday Celebration at the URec. Following the annual tree lighting ceremony in front of the clock-tower, the URec was packed with children and family ready to meet Santa. Here are a few pictures!

Was excited to tell the Marines my birthday is the same as the USMC anniversary! Looking forward to doing some work with the local Toys For Tots campaign with the Marines!

The lovely LSU Gammas!

With LSU Student Government President and newly crowned Homecoming King, Taylor Cox

With Santa! Hope I'm in the good book this year! (Fingers crossed)

Our Fixation With the "Princess" Genre



At 28 years old, I can say I grew up with Disney princesses. We were first in line to see Jasmine, Ariel, and Belle, and I of course I wanted to be just like them. I was even elated when Disney had it's first African-American princess Tiana.

The Disney Princesses have come under a lot of scrutiny for being lovely but helpless (with the exception of who?? Mulan maybe?) lasses waiting for princes in shiny armor to free them from some form of oppression showing how these women can only become who they're destined to be with the help of a man. This Princess culture is so dominant that the bridal boutique Alfred Angelo even has a line of Disney wedding gowns for those wishing for their special day to really look like a fairytale.

With Disney slowly bowing out of the prince-saving-the-princess-while-singing-a-great-song-genre, enter Pixar with it's amazing visuals and story lines with the likes of Toy Story and Cars.

Seventeen years in the game and Pixar finally has a female protagonist and her name is Merida from the movie Brave.

The film's overall theme is Changing Your Fate, that's true enough and stated pretty much throughout the film, but Merida also learns how to accept responsibility and the consequences her actions as an underlying theme to the story...which I'm all in favor of! I love that Brave shows that a girl's value is not in her femininity and having a man "save" her, but in the choices she makes for herself. Young girls need a role model that shows they don't have to live with the cards that are dealt by someone else and can make a positive change in their lives by their own actions, something little boys have grown to see on TV quite often.

Being the first, the movie has opened itself up to a slew of feminist stances. Why??? Because it's still a princess-y genre.  Set in medieval Scotland, where Merida has just come of age and her mother is preparing to marry her off to any of three candidates from the other clans, this movie is not a fairy tale romance. The story is about the tradition intended to keep the peace among clans with a history of warfare, and therefore making it’s Merida’s duty to marry, which she outright objects. Although this is the first movie to acknowledge the political ramifications of marriage...this is also the part I'm not too crazy about.

Are we failing girls by continuing to make heroines princesses?? Even though many would think, it's just a cartoon movie for children, it's obviously so much more. Looking back at Pixar's track record of heroes we have a cowboy (Toy Story), a rat (Ratatouille), a green ogre (Shrek), and a fish (Finding Nemo). With Brave being the first movie to have a female lead just shows us that movie makers are still struggling to tell a story about a girl without making her a princess....and a human at that.

Please don't think I'm hating. I don't think the movie is a failure at female empowerment...I LOVE the movie and what it stands for with its constructive message of leading your own journey. With positive female role models in the media being hard to come by, this film is a step in the right direction to leveling the gender disparity in the media. I just want to see more Mulans and Meridas in cartoons going forward without them being princesses from far away lands.

How Brave measures up against Disney princess culture...I'll let you decide if these are good or bad traits:

1. Merida has both parents in her life. So many Disney princess only have one.
2. Unlike many Disney princesses, Merida struggles with the relationship with her Mother, instead of her Father as is the case with Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Jasmin (Aladdin), and Mulan (Mulan).
3. The character of Merida is already confident, brave, and sure of herself. So instead of spending the movie "finding" herself and coming to the realization of how amazing she is, she spends the movie working to convince others of this, not herself.
4. Like Mulan, Merida is an "action princess"...sword wielding, cliff jumping, arrow throwing, you get my point.
5. Like many fairy tales, Brave also has an evil witch character that the protagonist makes a deal with. Unlike Ariel (The Little Mermaid), who makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula for her own soul, Merida makes the deal with her Mother's soul, changing her into a grizzly bear. Shaking off responsibility much???

What's your take on this?? And where do you see the future of cartoon heroines going??
P.S. I'm so glad that some pageant systems like Miss International and Miss Black USA are doing their part to showcase women with brains AND beauty...I think this is also a step in the right direction!

Miss Representation

I am so excited to announce that I am a Louisiana Social Action Rep for MissRepresentation.org! What is Miss Representation?? 

Miss Representation is the award-winning documentary film that exposes how mainstream media contributes to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman or girl to feel powerful herself.

Here's the trailer!

MissRepresentation.org is the social action campaign of the documentary film. Its mission is to shift people’s consciousness, inspire individual and community action, and ultimately, transform culture so everyone, regardless of gender, can fulfill their potential.

As a Rep for Louisiana, it is my duty to not only use social media to help girls tell their story, but to be active in the community to influence change.

MissRepresentation.org is a call-to-action campaign that seeks to empower women and girls to challenge limiting labels in order to realize their potential, and to encourage men and boys to stand up to sexism.

Right now, I am working to organize a screening of the film, hopefully at LSU. I have reached out to It Only Takes A Girl activist Gabriella Runnels for her take on how/where I can get this done...there's some licensing to be done to show the film publicly...

Sooooo my work begins! I'm thankful to this campaign for adding new dynamic to my platform! Originally I just wanted to educate women, which is what we're aiming to do with The Cinderella Project, but with Miss Representation I can also help them understand why they need to be leaders, and why they should speak about disparities in education, leadership roles, and the workplace and how the MEDIA affects this. I love these two groups and glad to be working with them both!

Want to get involved in Louisiana?? Shoot me an email and let's chat it up about how you can help me make a community impact! There's much to do! MissLAIntl2013@gmail.com 


Ash

Blanket Brooklyn!

Team Happy Foundation and I encourage everyone to send warmth, comfort and love - from the Big Easy to the Big Apple. For more information:http://BlanketBrooklyn.org

The Politics of Education

As your Miss Louisiana International 2013, it is my

responsibility to inform citizens of The Politics of Education. 

Many constituents are unaware that laws made at the state 

level greatly affect educational programs. As part of my 

platform, I would like to convey the need of voter 

participation in the community. Please join me on my 

journey to the crown by helping me promote my platform 

throughout the state. Please DONATE TODAY to help me 

make an impact! http://fnd.us/c/bMps9

Want to improve education? Start with WOMEN. Here's my approach...

I am more than just a pageant queen. I am on a mission to improve education in the state of Louisiana.

As Queen I Intend to Lead The Fight:
Education is important for everyone, but it is especially significant for young girls and women. Educational achievements for women can have ripple effects within the family and across generations.

The Correct Approach:
A woman’s progression toward a college degree starts long before she steps on a college campus.

1. Pre-K: High quality pre-school programs have long lasting effects by improving student outcomes well into adulthood. I will strive to inform mothers of the importance of early childhood development for their daughters.
   
2. The need for sustained support throughout a child’s K-12 years is imperative to their future higher educational success. I will focus on finding ways to ensure our young girls are prepared for college through mentoring programs & college-prep courses.

3. The Politics of Education: Many constituents are unaware that laws made at the state level greatly affect educational programs. As part of my platform, I would like to convey the need of voter participation in the community.

The Impact

As Miss Louisiana International 2013, I:

Serve as a spokesperson for The Cinderella Project to promote educational outreach and community projects designed to empower young women.

Work with Stand For Children Louisiana as their spokesperson to educate and empower parents, teachers, and community members to demand excellent public schools.

As Miss International 2013, I will:

Expand my efforts with Stand for Children nationwide, as our nation’s future depends on providing all children with access to excellent schools and educators regardless of where they live.

Continue to support the Miss International Organization by serving as the voice of the Go Red for Women campaign of the American Heart Association.

Please help me maximize my reign as queen and get to the national pageant! I won't be able to compete unless I raise the funds to get there! PLEASE help me get to the national pageant by making a donation by January 1!

DONATE TODAY!

The Perks

....for your contribution!

Please help me get to the 2013 Miss International Pageant, and I could help you in return! Want more info? Then visit my indiegogo page TODAY!

The PERKS of supporting a queen!

The Cinderella Project Leadership Academy is a HUGE success!

The mission of The Cinderella Project is to support young women statewide with resources they may not exist for them otherwise.  The goal is to provide educational outreach and community-based projects that are designed to empower young women with increased self confidence and to instill an appreciation for community service and the importance of giving back. 

Founded in January 2008, The Cinderella Project is a 100% volunteer-run organization.  One of our most successful and effective projects is our Annual Prom Dress Drive and Giveaway during which we collect donated evening gowns and provide them to high school students who cannot otherwise afford them.

Looking to add more dynamic to the organization, founders Sarah and Shelton decide to focus on "the dress that never goes out of style": EDUCATION, thus the Leadership Academy was formed. This is the reason why I'm so devoted to helping this organization and am proud to be a spokesperson!

After a year of planning and fundraising, last weekend, 25 young ladies attended the inaugural class of the The Cinderella Project of Baton Rouge Leadership Academy! The Academy is an intensive college prep-workshop at Louisiana State University October 25 to 27 for 20 underserved female high school students that is co-hosted by The Cinderella Project and the LSU Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach.

The Academy immersed young women in a college setting, exposed them to educational opportunities post-high school and inspire them to pursue their future academic goals.  The Academy is also assisting them in making the transition from high school to college by demystifying the college application process, connecting them with resources and discussing the expectations of college students. More than 150 applications from young women statewide were received and 25 Academy scholars were selected. Attendees represent 16 schools in 8 parishes from North Louisiana to the bayou.

During the weekend the ladies attended a college class, learned requirements to get into college, attended workshops and seminars on professional dress, responsible use of social media, and a slew of other topics.

I had the honor of speaking to the ladies about looking your best. We discussed dressing for the job you WANT, not the job you HAVE, and what your appearance says about you...because after all, you send a message in everything you do and how you appear to others. What are you saying by looking like a slob?? I stressed the importance of DRESSING THE WAY YOU WISH TO BE ADDRESSED.

After speaking to the ladies about the importance of looking your best!



Me at the closing academy closing banquet at the LSU Stadium Club



It is such an honor to be on the Advisory Board of such an awesome nonprofit! At the end of the weekend, Sarah and Shelton made the announcement that in addition to the $80 stipend to cover ACT costs, each academy graduate would be receiving a $500 scholarship to attend the college of their choice!

If you would like to contribute to The Cinderella Project College Scholarship Fund at Fidelity Bank, please contact Shelton Jones, 225-439-9700, sjones@cinderellaprojectla.org or Sarah Dupreesaran1@cox.net

Next up for us: The annual dress giveaway!

11th Annual Delta Gent Pageant

Last week I made my FIRST appearance as Miss Louisiana International 2013 as a celebrity judge at the 11th Annual Delta Gent Pageant! I'm so honored to join the Illustrious Iota Theta Divas of Delta Sigma Theta in the fight to end heart disease! Claiming 1 in 4 lives annually, heart disease is the number 1 killer of women in this nation. The disease also disproportionately affects women of color.

In addition to the actual pageant, each contestant raised money for the title of "Mr. Heart Throb". It was $1/vote and all funds went to the American Heart Association, one of my platforms as Miss Louisiana International 2013.



The "Mr. Heart Throb" flyer will the contestants



Having attended and judged more than a few LSU pageants (finished undergrad at LSU in 2007), I can without a doubt say that this pageant was the most well-organized and enjoyable I have ever attended! Not only did the event raise over $1000 for the local American Heart Association chapter, but it allowed the audience to be involved in the show via Twitter! With engaging hosts, a great DJ, and a great cause, you can really tell the ladies worked hard to make the event a success, and I was glad to be a part of it!

Me in the LSU Union Theater during intermission

I am proud to join the Miss International family as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. Please help me maximize by reign as queen and be the best Heart Ambassador I can be, by DONATING to my cause!  Thanks!

Another 5 Questions With Miss Louisiana International 2013

When Miss International contestants are selected/crowned, they are given 5 questions to answer for the website. Here are my answers! Don't forget to check out the Miss International website to see all the lovely ladies I'll be competing with! 

What is the best thing that you have received that was free?
Mine was a free piece of advice: "Faith in God includes faith in His timing." I am somewhat of a late bloomer in pageantry, as I got into it after receiving my masters degree at age 27. But I understand that everything happens for a reason and on His time.

What do you do that makes you a leader?
I am a leader because I resonate with people. I strive to leave others with the understanding that they too, can live a life of purpose and value. It's more than just Southern charm.

What do you feel most successful women have in common?

Hillary Clinton once said, "The women of the world have so much to contribute." Like Secretary Clinton, most successful women believe that women everywhere hold the key to thriving societies. They help women raise their expectations and leave a legacy for the next generation by being a positive role model.

Tell me about an experience that has been educational to you.
Pageantry! To impact your community by actually making a difference through your title, and bringing attention to issues through your platform, is amazing. It is also a humbling experience that shows you what is really important. I've learned so much about others and even more about myself through pageantry.

What is your best asset? Why?
A giving heart! I have been blessed beyond measure in my own life, so it is important to always give back! I go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of others. I believe you should never think about "what's in it for you" and give to others unselfishly.

38% Raised!

Excited to say I have raised 38% of my first fundraising goal of $1200! This is the amount due to Miss International by January 1st.

Although people say it all the time, I would like to stress how much  EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS! So please give! Even if you think $3 doesn't help me...IT REALLY DOES! And I'm extremely thankful for any level of support.

Last week I had a "friend" tell me that I would not reach my goal and they even called me an ugly name. I refuse to be stopped or allow someone to tell me that my goals are unattainable. Every time I speak at school or church functions, I strive to leave that message with children. You CAN attain anything you work for! So go for it!

Please donate today and help me get to the Miss International Pageant! Click HERE! 

<3 Ash

The Importance of Supporting Your Successor

Although many believe that once your reign is over and you officially pass the crown, the work for you is done, but I'm definitely learning just how important it is to support your successor. 

Many fail to realize the largest aspect of pageantry: SISTERHOOD. 

Passing the crown to another queen worthy of possessing your title means you two are sisters united in a bond.

Pageantry is more than a single event, and your service does not end just because your crown has. In your year of service you have learned the tricks of the trade, including fundraising tips, contacts to keep in touch with, gown decisions, going on the right type of appearances, public speaking do's, and wardrobe don'ts, etc. etc. etc. It's important to help your sister be the best queen she can be. 

Another thing about pageantry: It's NOT about YOU. It's about the mission of the organization and leaving an impact on your community. You don't want your pageant/title to look bad because of an avoidable mistake your successor could have learned from you. 

Being Queen is not easy, it really is work. It can be emotionally stressful and also financially straining. Although people get into pageantry for different reasons, some do not necessarily have natural abilities. So just like you need a mentor in a career field to learn the ropes, you need a mentor in pageantry. 

Be a true sister queen and stay involved by supporting your successor. Be the shoulder to lean on and (sometimes) cry on. Give a her a heads-up and an honest opinion on things. Give her some of your time, even if it's just a minute or two to NOT talk about pageant work. Most importantly, continue to be the titleholder you once were by serving as a role model. You'll always be queen, so take the time to help her shine through her journey to the crown.


Big thanks to my sister queens Brijet Finister, Miss Black California USA 2012 and Amina L. Gilyard, Miss Black District of Columbia USA 2012, for their great insight on this! 

What Is Miss International?

The International Pageant system has been developed to promote today's young women and their accomplishments. Around the world women are finding this system to be the opportunity to work with others to become positive role models. Being the premiere pageant for young women has given Miss International® a chance to open doors for all women around the world. The Miss International Pageant system works to promote the accomplishments of it's contestants, therefore they look for OLDER contestants, usually those who have "aged-out" of Miss America and Miss USA (both of which cut off at age 26). 

An older contestant brings a new dynamic to pageants. They are usually more educated and working an established career. These are your contestants who REALLY make an impact promoting their platform.

In addition to representing all 50 states, countries such as Scotland, Wales, and Canada are represented. Also, regions are even represented like Southern States, Southeast, and West Coast. 

The Miss International® 2013 competition will be held July 26th and 27th, 2013 at the Northshore Center for the Performing Arts in Chicago, Illinois. The exciting events and activities leading up to the Pageant will begin in Chicago on July 22nd.The event will give each contestant the opportunity to learn about customs and family life in other countries, along with the chance to share her beliefs and make new friends during the entire week of activities leading up to two exciting evenings of competition.

Parts of the competition: Each contestant competes in Interview Competition which is valued at 40% of their total score, Evening Gown, valued for 20%, Fitness Wear for 20%, and Fun Fashion Wear 20%. Each contestant has the opportunity to select a platform of her choice, that she spends the year promoting.

In addition to their personal platform, each queen promotes the Go Red for Women campaign of the American Heart Association.

Visit the website here: www.miss-international.us 

I'm excited to compete in the amazing pageant system as YOUR Miss Louisiana International 2013. Please help me get to the pageant by making a small donation today! I can't get there without you! DONATE TODAY! 

I Need Your Support!

I'm excited to represent the great state of Louisiana at

the 2013 Miss International Pageant! With less than 90 

days to my first fundraising deadline, I need your 

support or I will be unable to compete. Please 

consider making a small donation today! Trust me, no 

amount is too small, every dollar counts! Thanks!

Click here to donate!

5 Questions With Miss Louisiana International 2013

My SQ Imani Josey, Miss Black Illinois USA 2012, interviewed me this weekend for her awesome pageant blog titled, "Your Boyfriend Hates Pageants" LOLOL

Here's the link! Your Boyfriend Hates Pageants

Miss International, Inc. Goes RED for Women!

As Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012, I was the voice of the Heart Truth campaign of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Why? Bc heart disease is a silent killer taking the lives of women annually. The disease also disproportionately affects women of color.

Now as your Miss Louisiana International 2013, I join the Miss International Organization as the voice of the American Heart Association (AHA)! I'm excited to continue my work as a voice for heart disease awareness and prevention.

In 2004, the American Heart Association (AHA) faced a challenge. Cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year, yet women were not paying attention. In fact, many even dismissed it as an “older man’s disease.” To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women – a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health.

Go Red For Women encourages awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and also action to save more lives. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart healthy life.

In 2010, the American Heart Association set a strategic goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20% while improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by the year 2020.

In 2003, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the American Heart Association and other organizations committed to women’s health joined together to raise awareness of women and heart disease. The NHLBI introduced the red dress as a national symbol for women and heart disease awareness and the American Heart Association adopted this symbol to create synergy among all organizations committed to fighting this cause.

While Go Red For Women is a national organization, it's also a powerful grassroots organization, uniting women in diverse neighborhoods from coast to coast.By working together to advance this important cause, the American Heart Association, NHLBI, and other women’s health groups will have a greater impact than any one group could have alone.

After speaking with my friend and contact, Kerin Spears, Director of Development of the Baton Rouge American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, they are more than happy to include me on their speaker's panel as an expert community speaker on this subject. So look out for community service events and activities centered around heart disease awareness throughout my reign!

Social Media

www.facebook.com/MissLAIntl2013

@MissLAIntl2013

Follow me!!

New title, new journey!

The past year as Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012 has really left a lasting impact on my life. I learned so much about others, pageantry in general, and most of all, myself. Annnnnd I'm ready for more!

As Miss Louisiana International 2013, I am honored to represent the state of Louisiana in the 2013 Miss International Pageant, but the road to a national pageant isn't an easy one, nor is it cheap. I need your support to help me reach my ultimate goals of becoming Miss International 2013. 

We are currently looking for sponsorships so that I may truly maximize my reign as Miss Louisiana International 2013. I am seeking donations in any form, whether the sponsorship is monetary or in the form of services rendered. All funds raised will be used toward sponsoring my trip to Chicago, Illinois and traveling throughout our great state to promote my platform. 

For more information on how you can help, or to be emailed a sponsorship packet you can reach me here: MissLaIntl2013@gmail.com

Or to donate via GoFundMe here: GO FUND ME!

 

It is a blessing for me to have this opportunity, and I am grateful for whatever support I may receive. In turn, I will acknowledge the companies/individuals that assist me in my endeavors throughout my reign.

Yours in service, 

Ashley Elizabeth Hebert

Miss Louisiana International 2013

Introducing Miss Louisiana International 2013!

Woke up this morning to great news and another state title! Proud to represent the state of Louisiana in the 2013 Miss International Pageant as your Miss Louisiana International 2013!

Pageant Week: Day 6 (FINALS)

After performing a great opening number with my sister queens, I stand and wait (and pray) for my name to be called in the section of the Top 15 contestants. The hosts get to number 14....and I am shaking.....FINALLY my name is called and I have made the Top 15.

After on-stage question we rush back to compete the remaining parts of the competition. I can honestly say this was the BEST I have everrrr performed my talent selection and I am extremely proud of that, especially bc I could hear audience members co-signing and agreeing with what I was saying. I didn't stumble or stutter once and I walked off stage feeling absolutely touched by Him, bc through Him I was able to relay an important message. 

Tonight I was blessed to make the Top 15 of the 2012 Miss Black USA Pageant, the who's who of women of color. Although I leave without the national title, I am so blessed to be a part of this organization and thankful for the sisterhood built throughout my reign. Thank you all for your positive and kind words of support. No matter what, I am still your Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012, and will continue to make an impact even after the conclusion of my reign in November.

I am blessed to have every one of you on my side supporting me. This journey has really shown me a lot about how the devil uses people to hurt you and keep you down, even those put in place to actually help you....but it's important to keep pushing, keep succeeding, and KEEP SMILING no matter what they say. Say updated on my reign my liking my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MBLUSA2012

Back to Louisiana to complete my reign!

Pageant Week: Day 5

Today was a great day! This morning was the 2012 Miss Black USA Praise & Worship Prayer Breakfast. I really thought it was going to be boring and long, but it really help me grow even closer to my sister queens.

After breakfast and opening prayer, we were blessed to receive the word from our guest preacher in a very moving sermon. Followed by a song from 2011 Miss Black USA Talented Teen Jasmin Sessoms, each queen introduced themselves and was supposed to give their favorite quote. This quickly turned into testimonials of how the Lord had brought each of us through this journey to get to this pageant. We learned of the ups and downs one another faced, and how the Lord brought us through it. It re-enforced the responsibility being queen hold: giving back and giving thanks.

I learned so much this morning about my beautiful sister queens. Tears were definitely following and it made me sad as I realized I would be leaving soon. 

I also had the opportunity to thank my mother. I said, "she pushed me to want more for myself...so I have to push others....I thank her today for giving me her last over and over and for being here with me this week." 

Although we have our moments, my mother is phenomenal and continues to give me her last everyday.

After the breakfast we finally had some downtime! So Dominique took advantage and got some playtime in!

Miss Black Washington USA and I

Washington Memorial

MLK

After playtime it was back to the hotel to attend the 2012 Miss Black USA Talented Teen Pageant. They are our little sisters, and we were front row center to watch and support them. 

These 12 contestants were truly amazing, especially MY teen Tori! I definitely felt mixed emotions when they announced that she did not place, however she was awarded the community service award for outstanding service to the community. I really wanted Team Louisiana to win, but Tori is already a winner. At 13 she founded a nonprofit foundation, was accepted to a prestigious performing arts high school, and has a rocking single available for purchase on iTunes. At 13?! It's crazy! But she is humble and fully aware of her responsibility to the community. 

After the pageant we had rehearsal. 

Finals are creeping uppppp. I have no problem telling the truth:  I'm feeling anxious and unsettled, and prayerful that I make the Top 15. I want to be Miss Black USA 2012 and am anxious for the opportunity to really compete tomorrow. 

Tomorrow morning we will tour the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children before heading to the University of DC Performing Arts Theater for FINALS at 7p! Which shoooould be broadcast live via the Internet from the Miss Black USA website

Pageant Week: Day 4 (PRELIMS)

It's finally here! Prelim today. This morning we completed Part 1 - Fitness & Evening Gown. For fitness I wore a custom roller derby uniform with rhinestones on the back that said, "Captain", and of course it was my favorite color, purple.

For evening gown, I made a last minute decision to wear one Jovani gown over another, and I'm glad I did. Totally felt like a princess and rocked my walk! Felt really great about both. One great things to witness today was my beautiful sister queens HELPING one another backstage, curling hair, pinning fashion emergencies, and praying together. I was almost moved to tears at one point as I sat back and watched these phenomenal women help each other for this competition. 

It was also nice to see some of the great state directors that were also present this week to help their queens succeed. It's really great when Black women support each other, and it's a shame that more do not -__- 

Besties...Miss Black Illinois (Imani Josey) and Miss Black Washington (Domonique Price)

I couldn't have asked for a better roomie! Miss Black Massachusetts, Lenora Benson

Later in the evening we completed Part 2 of prelims - On-Stage question and Talent. I'm not even going to lie, both parts are now a blur to me! It was so fast!

My on-stage question asked me what would I like to see happen in the future to the long-standing staple "Barbie"....I said growing up I had few positive Black role models and because self-esteem and self-love in young girls is so important and starts at a young age, I would love to see more brown skin Barbies which reflect the vast array of women of color.

Talent....I don't feel I did bad at all. Definitely got the message across the way I intended. My talent was an adaptation of the poem, "The Sociology of the Black Woman". It is a very powerful statement and I'm glad I selected it.

Soooooo now IT's 2:00am and I'm so exhausted. Relieved that prelims are over, but incredibly anxious to find out the Top 15 on Monday. I want more than anything to make Top 15 and compete for the national title. 

Tomorrow we have the Prayer Breakfast and the 2012 Talented Teen Pageant. I'm excited to support my little sister Tori Turner take this pageant by storm!

Also, if you haven't cast your vote for me for People's Choice Award, PLEEEEEASE get on this NOW! Voting ends Sunday, August 12 at midnight! Vote here: www.missblackusa.org Thanks! Goodnight! I'm exhausted!