Name: Ashley Marie Davis

Titles:

• Miss Copper City 2016; Top Talent & Swimsuit
• Miss Five Boroughs 2015; Top 10 Miss New York & State Community Service Award Winner
• Miss Staten Island Outstanding Teen 2013; 2nd Runner Up Miss New York OT 2013

Platform: Memories Matter: Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness & Support

Talent: Contemporary Dance

School: Marymount Manhattan College
Major: Psychology
Minor: Business Management

The PageantFile: Bio | Miss New York 2015 | Miss Copper City |

 

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Why did you begin competing in pageants?: I have admired the young women that have gone on to winning Miss America since I was a little girl. I have always watched the pageants on television and couldn’t wait to compete. I admire the girls that compete for the Miss America Organization. They are extremely well rounded and motivated to achieve their goals. I am inspired to not only promote my platform, but to lend a helping hand in anyway that I can throughout our community.

What do you hope to gain, other than a title?: As a title holder, I think it’s truly important to understand the bigger picture… even though winning a crown and a sash is truly exciting, it is a huge job and commitment. I commend all of the young women I have been fortunate enough to meet that have put endless hours of community service into their year and have made an impact on future leaders throughout their communities. In such a short amount of time I feel that I have gained better networking skills, independence & I am driven to achieve my goals. I look forward to my future years throughout the Miss America Organization.

Why is your platform unique? : My platform Memories Matter: Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness & Support is extremely personal to me. Witnessing my great-grandpa of 92 years old suffer from this disease until this day, inspires me each and everyday to take action in hopes of finding a cure for this devastating disease. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in America and is the only disease that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed. It is so important for victims and caregivers to receive the support they need and to recognize the available resources that can guide them throughout this devastating period.

With Miss America in Atlantic City, have you attended or do you plan on attending the pageant? If not, how do you watch the pageant?: As a child I have always watched the pageant on television. However the passed 3 years I was fortunate enough to have been able to watch the pageant live from Atlantic City! What a memorable experience!

What has been your favorite appearance or service event as a titleholder?: I have been to so many appearances that have molded me into the person I am today. However, the most memorable appearance I have been to was the 17th Annual Alzheimer’s Conference in 2013, taken place in Staten Island, New York. I was able to share my personal experience as a witness to the debilitating disease, and learn from health professionals on the research that has been conducted on Alzheimer’s Disease.

What appearance or service event would you like to do most before the end of your reign? : My goal for the end of my reign is not only to promote the Miss Copper City Organization, but I would love to host another fundraiser this year to raise funds for my personal platform. In May of 2015 I was able to raise over $2,000 for Alzheimer’s Research. I am motivated to raise even more funds and awareness for this important cause that is so personal to me.

Which is your favorite phase of competition?: My favorite phase of competition is talent! I have been dancing since I was 3 years old. I later then graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School where I studied modern and ballet technique for 4 years. I continue dancing until this day and I discovered my love for teaching dance as well. Dance will forever be my passion.

If you could add or remove one phase of competition, which would it be and how would you adjust the scoring percentages?: If I could add one phase of competition, it would definitely be a modeling phase of competition in the contestants favorite outfit or style. This could give the judges a sense of their personality and the unique attributes that the young woman brings to the table.

How do you prepare for pageant? : Preparing for a pageant requires more work than many understand. From a physical standpoint, I eat all of my favorite foods in moderation and I dance as a form of exercise. Unfortunately there are many negative pageant stereotypes: “Girls starve themselves” etc. During the lifestyle and swimsuit competition it is truly not about who appears to be the skinniest or the tallest, but it’s about feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. The beauty of this is the overall message it portrays: Love the Skin you are in! Don’t ever let anyone bring you down! As I said before dancing is my escape from anything that might be stressful. performing is a way that I can prepare for a pageant and for the talent portion of the competition. It is important to remain positive and to take it one step at a time. If you go into something with a negative outlook, this could mess up your focus and alter the overall outcome of your performance! Stay focused, positive, and driven! In with the positive and out with the negative!

What do you plan to do with your experiences after you finish competing or age out of MAO?: The experiences that I have already made throughout MAO will forever guide me for what is to come in my life. After I graduate college I plan to attend graduate school and further my education in psychology to pursue a career in my field of choice. I then plan to open my own dance studio to share the love I have for dance with other passionate & ambitious dancers. My list of goals are endless, however the Miss America Org. clearly proves that anything is possible if you put your mind and heart into it.

Why should you be Miss America?: I aspire to be Miss America one day to be an ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals & to take my personal platform to a national level. Overall being a mentor to young children that exemplifies the 4 points to the crown Style, Success, Service, & Scholarship is extremely important to me and my everyday life. The job of Miss America would be an honor and a privilege. Being that Miss America is the largest provider of scholarships for women in the country, this would allow me to further my education and my dreams even after my reign as Miss America.

What is your favorite mantra or quote?:

The Miss America Org. is about the difference you make in the lives of the people that you serve that are in need throughout our communities. It is so important to see the bigger picture when it comes to community service. Community service not only makes the person in need feel amazing, but lending a helping hand makes you feel inspired as well.