Meet With Nationally Recognized Pageant Coach Kyle Haggerty on Friday July 22 at Brides House in Roanoke!

Every great leader has a mentor that passed down their wisdom to them, and Kyle Haggerty deserves all the credit in the world for being a great mentor. He has helped hundreds of girls follow their dreams and become local/state/national title holders.  I met Kyle before I ever won a crown and he never stopped believing in me. Before winning Miss Teen Virginia United States I competed in several pageants from the USA and America system. I also had competed in the Miss JR Teen Virginia United States pageant the year prior to my crowning.Unfortunately, the crown was never for me. My mother and I finally decided pageantry was just like a sport, so why shouldn't we work with a coach? Kyle worked with me for a few sessions and sure enough I was crowned Miss Teen Virginia. Just because I had reached my goal of winning a state title did not mean our work was done. It was then time to work ten times harder for the national title. Kyle and I worked on my interview, evening gown and swim suit choreography and he bedazzled my beautiful gown! And just like he said, I was ready to win. I advise everyone who wishes to be a winner or just wants an amazing experience in pageantry to work with Kyle. Come out to the Brides House in Roanoke, Virginia this Friday, July 22 to meet with Kyle and myself. You can learn more about this event by visiting http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133310466755211

A Dream Come True...

Thinking back to the moment of my crowning still gives me the chills. I remember standing next to the other gorgeous remaining delegates of the top 8 thinking could this really happen to me? My dream of holding a national title up until that night seemed so close but still so far away. It was unbelievable to think I could experience such an amazing journey. I stood there praying to god, asking him to either bless me with this opportunity if it was my time or to give me the strength to be happy for the winner. Then the MC announced, "And your new Miss Teen United States is...VIRGINIA, ASHLEY GREENFIELD. My heart stopped and it took everything I had to not fall to the floor. Tears flooded my eyes as I took my first walk as Miss Teen United States 2011. After July 14th, I truly do believe in reaching for the stars and I challenge everyone who reads this to follow the motto of the Miss United States Pageant Organization; "Dare to Dream and Take the Journey."

I am very much looking forward to traveling around the United States speaking to children about my platform, "Self Perception Starts with Reflection." My platform deals with teaching kids about the importance of self esteem and how they can achieve happiness and success. When speaking to children about my platform, I encourage them to focus on areas of their every day lives that are sure to lead them to success: Physical fitness, Scholastic Achievement and Community Involvement.  I speak to kids at an early age about this issue because my philosophy is that if they understand the importance of self esteem before they hit middle school and high school, they will be less likely to face obstacles such as bullying and depression. Before I started competing in pageantry, I suffered from a low self esteem and it effected every aspect of my life. I was bullied from my freshman year of high school till the day I graduated and even graduated a year early to escape my peers. No child should have to live in fear, which is why I will do everything I can during my reign to reach out to others and teach them the importance of friendship and self esteem.  Please join me in teaching others about the seriousness of a good self esteem!