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Keith
Saturday, January 15, 2011

Wow! We are so proud of Ashley! Top 12 at Miss America!

If you didn't get to watch the telecast, it was very exciting. After the contestants introduced themselves, the judges Top 11 were announced. We anxiously awaited to hear "Miss Texas" and of course we all leapt to our feet cheering in excitement when they called Ashley's name. After that, the two contestants receiving the most votes in the America's Choice voting were named. The remaining contestants then voted on two final spots on in the Top 15.

Next up was swimsuit. Ashley looked amazing! The field was then narrowed down to the Top 12, so we had to wait in anticipation to again hear "Miss Texas". Again, we leapt to our feet and cheered. The contestants then competed in evening wear, and again Ashley looked wonderful. At that point all 12 contestants came out in their talent outfits and waited on stage as they called out one contestant at a time who immediately performed her talent. The anticipation built and we continued to hope to hear "Miss Texas" again, but it was not to be, as Ashley was not called into the Top 10.

After the Top 10 performed in talent, the field was narrowed down to the Top 5 and as each contestant was called, she was immediately asked her on-stage question. At the end of the evening, Miss Nebraska, Teresa Scanlan, was named Miss America 2011.

We were all thrilled for Ashley and so proud of her and her accomplishments. She is truly an amazing young woman who has touched so many people. I only see continued success for her!

Miss Nebraska, Teresa Scanlan, is named Miss America 2011

Keith, Meghan, Bobbie, and Ron

Ashley and Meghan

Meghan

Ron and Ashley

Ashley hugs her Father immediately after the pageant

Ashley with her family

Ashley with Dr. Larkin Page

Meghan

Current and former titleholders in Las Vegas to cheer for Ashley on Saturday night.

Ron
Friday, January 14, 2011

Today was the Show Us Your Shoes Parade. Ashley looked stunning and was excited to have her brother Ryan carry her sign during the parade.

The preliminary competitions are over and we couldn't be prouder of Ashley! She has performed wonderfully all week and looked equally as wonderful! Unfortunately, only a few contestants are recognized as preliminary winners. We congratulate this year's preliminary winners.

Ashley in the Show Us Your Shoes Parade

Ashley in the Show Us Your Shoes Parade

Miss Hawaii, Jalee Fuselier was named Tuesday night's preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness winner.

Wednesday night preliminary winners: Miss Alabama, Ashley Davis (Lifestyle & Fitness) and Miss Rhode Island, Deborah Saint-Vil (Talent)

Miss Rhode Island, Deborah Saint-Vil was named Wednesday night's preliminary Talent winner for her vocal performance of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile."

Miss Oklahoma, Emoly West, was named Thursday night's preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner.

Ashley in the Show Us Your Shoes Parade with her brother Ryan carrying her sign.

Tuesday night preliminary winners: Miss Hawaii, Jalee Fuselier (Lifestyle & Fitness) and Miss North Carolina, Adrienne Core (Talent)

Miss North Carolina, Adrienne Core was named Tuesday night's preliminary Talent winner for her clogging performance to "Soul Man."

Miss Alabama, Ashley Davis was named Wednesday night's preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness winner.

Thursday night preliminary winners: Miss Oklahoma Emoly West (Lifestyle & Fitness) and Miss Nebraska Teresa Scanlan (Talent)

Miss Nebraska Teresa Scanlan was named Thursday night's preliminary Talent winner for her piano performance of "White Water Chopped Sticks."

Keith
Thursday, January 13, 2011

Tonight was swimsuit and evening gown. Ashley looked stunning in both categories. Although Miss Oklahoma won the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness group, everyone felt sure Ashley's score had to right up there. Congratulations also to Miss Nebraska who was the preliminary Talent winner.

Ashley competes in swimsuit.

Ashley competes in evening wear.

Ron, Ashley, Keith, and Bobbie

Ashley visits with Ron, Bobbie and Keith

Jennifer Peter, Miss East Texas; Rachel Garrett, Miss Ellis County; and Meghan Miller, Miss Fort Worth

Ashley visits with her Mother

Ashley and Jordan

Ashley visits with Jordan

Ashley and Jordan
 

Ashley competes in swimsuit.

Ashley competes in evening wear.

Ashley and Meghan

Meghan with Becky Walker

Brian Schexnayder, Keith Davenport and Becky Walker

Ron and Ashley

Ashley with Carry and David of Regalia Magnificent Apparel

Members of the Texas delegation

Banner supporting Ashley that was hung in the theatre

Keith
Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Ashley had on-stage question tonight. She looked, and sounded, wonderful. She is really shining on stage! Congratulations to Miss Alabama,who was the preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness winner and to Miss Rhode Island who was the preliminary Talent winner.

Ashley in the opening production number.

Ashley during on-stage question.

Keith, Ashley and Ron at Wednesday visitation.

Susan Schuler and Ron Warren

Ashley and Ron

Jennifer Peter, Miss East Texas; Cristi Kibler, Miss Southlake; Ashley Melnick, Miss Texas; Candace Bennatt, Miss Dallas; Rachel Garrett, Miss Ellis County; and Madison Fuller, Miss Teen Texas
 

Ashley introduces herself in the pageant opening.

Ashley during on-stage question.

Jordan Johannsen and Ron

Ashley visits with Jan Mitchell and Marvin Blum

Part of the Texas delegation

Ashley visits with the Texas delegation

Ron
Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Ashley sounded wonderful tonight! Although Miss North Carolina won her Talent group, we all felt it was a tough group and that Ashley had to score high. Congratulations also to Miss Hawaii who was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner.

Ashley performing during the preliminary talent competition.

Ashley performing during the preliminary talent competition.

The Texas delegation waiting for Ashley at Tuesday night visitation.

Ashley performing during the preliminary talent competition.

The Texas delegation waiting for Ashley at Tuesday night visitation.

Jordan Johannsen, Miss Colleyville; Candace Bennatt, Miss Dallas; Rachel Garrett, Miss Ellis County; Ashley Melnick, Miss Texas; Madison Fuller, Miss Teen Texas; and Cristi Kibler, Miss Southlake.

Ashley visits with her bother and Mother
 

Keith
Monday, January 10, 2011

Vegas is MUCH quieter today now that the CES convention has concluded. I guess you would notice when 150,000 people leave a city. J Many more fans from Texas will be arriving today. We’re looking forward to getting the week started. Ashley’s interview is today—sometime this afternoon—so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. The judges are conducting 36 interviews today, so it’s going to be a long day for them as well. Hopefully we’ll have a report later today as to how Ashley’s interview goes. Also, Ashley's family arrives in Las Vegas today.

Ashley leaving her interview

Keith, Ashley and Ron

Ashley visits with Keith and Ron immediately following her interview

Ashley leaves the interview area

Ashley's family arrives in Las Vegas

Keith
Saturday, January 8, 2011

Welcome to Las Vegas.  Once again I took an early flight and arrived in Las Vegas at 7:20 AM.  I am definitely getting too old for this!  However, as in past years, my luck has run out with a smooth arrival.  My checked bag did not arrive, so I stood in line to report the lost bag.  Then, upon arrival at the Westgate Towers at Planet Hollywood, I was informed that check in was not available until 4:00 PM - NO EXCEPTIONS.  So, I wandered around for a bit until Ron and Erwin were up and about.  They graciously allowed me to store my laptop in their room at the Vdara.  After checking the status of my bag one more time, I learned that it arrived and will be delivered to the hotel within 6 hours.  Yea!

We are looking forward to a wonderful week, and fully expect to be celebrating the next Miss America from Texas next Saturday night.  Ashley is definitely ready and has grown tremendously in her confidence and communication skills during her six months as Miss Texas.  She has definitely focused all of her efforts on being the best she can be. 

We saw Ashley at the Fashion Show this afternoon. Can't wait to get this show rolling!

Ashley walks the runway during the fashion show

Ashley signs autographs following the fashion show

Ashley walks the runway during the fashion show

Ashley along with Miss Puerto Rico help prepare pasta

Ashley along with Miss Puerto Rico help prepare pasta

Ron
Friday, January 7, 2011

I arrived in Las Vegas this afternoon and began getting settled in. There are lots of people in town for the Consumer Electronics Show. Took in a few sights and dinner. No Ashley sightings yet! Looking forward to a fun week!

Ron
Thursday, January 6, 2011

It's finally here! Ashley is on her way to Miss America! Keith and I picked Ashley up at 4:30 A.M. this morning, and even at that early hour, Ashley looked simply stunning!

We got all the luggage tagged and delivered to the TSA screening area and she made it through security and was then on her way! She looked fantastic and is anxious and ready to get to Miss America! We will be blogging and posting pictures throughout the week, so continue to check back for updates!

Bags all loaded and ready to go.

Keith, Ashley and Ron at the airport.

Ashley with her boarding pass.