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As The Winner Of Norfolk's Crown, She Wants To Be Va's Next Queen

By Rosaland Tyler
Assistant Editor
New Journal and Guide

  The reigning Miss Norfolk, Ashley Smith, was having a hectic day when she sat down to talk about her plans for the upcoming Miss Virginia Pageant, which will be held in Roanoke June 26-28.
    On the one hand, Smith is a busy Old Dominion University sophomore who is majoring in mass communication. She was gearing up to take her last final exam last week. On the other hand, she is Miss Norfolk, who makes about five public appearances each week. The title and the crown come with a hectic speaking schedule. She is also a free-lance reporter and anchor at WCTV-48. Then there’s the upcoming Miss Virginia pageant which will be televised.
   “I plan to rest and focus on getting ready for Miss Virginia,” she said. “We will be there for an entire week starting on Sunday. We’ll need different dresses, gowns, and travel expenses. Clothing can be very expensive so I’ll need several thousand dollars just to compete.”
    Smith laughs a lot. She is very polite. She has competed in pageants since she was in high school. Then, she begins to talk about using faith to solve challenges. So it’s not surprising to hear that she is the daughter of not one--but two pastors: the Rev. Shelton Smith Jr. and the Rev. Marie Smith, who pastor a church in Waverly, Va.
“They have been significant in helping me with the Miss Virginia pageant and the Miss Norfolk Pageant as well,” said Smith, explaining how she plays keyboards in church with her parents.
Her brother, Shelton Smith III, plays drums at the church their parents pastor. He is a freshman at Greenbrier Christian Academy “He also enjoys going to my pageants,” his sister said, laughing.
   Of course donations from concerned people in Norfolk would make life easier. But she shied away from asking outright for an outpouring of donations, which would make her path smoother. “The main One Who is behind me is the Lord,” she said. “I’m thankful for that.”
  Smith competed in her first beauty contest in high school. But, she’s learned a lot since she walked down the runway of Oscar Smith High School as a junior in 2005.
 

Posted May 7, 2008

“I got involved for the fun of it. I received first runner-up in that pageant,” she said.

   “The next year I won the pageant.” She was crowned Miss Oscar Smith High. Then, she was crowned Miss Norfolk. Now, she is headed for the statewide pageant.

   Typically, beauty contestants are required to raise a specific amount of money. “We would receive gifts after we turned in our donations. It was a neat way of doing it.”
In addition to soliciting financial support, Smith said a beauty contestant must get in shape physically. Then she must select her talent presentation. Currently Smith is practicing the Broadway song, “But the World Goes Round,” hoping it will awe the judges in Roanoke.
  “This is my third time competing for Miss Virginia,” she said. “The main thing I’ve learned is to be myself, which is funny because people tell you that all the time. ‘Just be yourself,’ “ she said, laughing, while mimicking other people’s voices. “ ‘Just be yourself.’ “ But, it’s true,” she said.
    Experience has taught her to carefully prepare for the judges. “The main thing I’ve learned is that people will like me for who I am even though I may not be an exact replica of the current Miss Virginia. I’m just going to sing. I plan to take a rest and focus.
   “There is no way anyway can walk away from this organization without gaining something, whether its networking, self-awareness, advancement or life skills. ” she said.
   The experience has been a win-win situation, in other words. It has helped her focus. It has sharpened her people skills.“The doors that have opened so far have been enough for me,” she said.”
To make a contribution, or to book Miss Norfolk for a speaking engagement, please phone her at 757-237-8838, or email missnorfolk08@yahoo.com.

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