The Girls Go To Nationals!!

As Miss Michigan Princess and Miss Michigan Coed, Emma and Ashley will be competing against the state winners from all over the country in the their division for thousands of dollars in cash awards, prizes and scholarships. Some of the areas of competition include Talent, Speech, Academic Achievement, Community Service, Best Actress, Most Promising Model, Photogenic and Personality. Since 1983, millions of dollars in cash awards and scholarships have been presented to outstanding girls at state and national competitions. The thing that makes American Coed a special and unique competition is they DO NOT allow makeup on any contestants under the age of 13.

Ashley and Emma made history during their state pageant. They are the first sisters from Michigan to win the same year. This has been both a blessing and a hardship for their family.

The girls feel blessed for many reasons. They are very close, even though there is a 12 year age difference between them. They are able to spend their year attending charity events, meeting with public officials, appearing in parades, and most importantly volunteering. They are also able to raise more money for their charity together.

Their charity is not something they picked at random. This organization has been part of their family for many years. In 2005, their grandpa was diagnosed with ALS- better know was Lou Gehrig's disease. This is when we were first introduced to ALS of Michigan. This is an organization that runs completely on donations. They helps family and their pALS (People with ALS). They provide counseling, medical equipment, home health care and more, at no charge to the families. Sadly, their grandpa passed away in 2008. During those three years, Emma, Ashley and their entire family raised over $75,000 for the organziation through pledges for their annual Walk N Roll for ALS. This year the girls have pledged to donate half of their donations to ALS of Michigan.

Here comes the hardship. In 2002, Emma and Ashley's mother was in a life altering car accident. While driving home from a Habitat for Humanity event, a truck ran a stop sign causing the car their mom was a passenger in, to run into the truck. Michelle suffered a broken back and a broken hand. Unfortunately, the hospital did not take xrays of Michelle's back and she did not know she back was broken until after the surgery she had for her broken hand. During the surgery for her broken back, the surgeon cause massive nerve damage leaving their mom unable to walk. After two months in the hospital she was allowed to return home- to a hospital bed in her living. After a year of intensive physical therapy, she was able to regain partial use of her legs. She is considered a paraplegic and is unable to ever return to work. Emma and Ashley know how hard their mom works to fulfill their dreams everyday, they want to do their part to help fulfill their own dreams. Their goal is to raise the money for their competitions through sponsors and ad sales.

Since March, they have volunteered over 100 hours of community service and do not plan on stopping any time soon.

They hope to will find it possible to become either a sponsor or choose to place an ad in the program book. Remember, not only will the donations help the girls but part will also go to ALS of Michigan as a donation on behalf of their grandpa.

Information is below about sponsorships and ad sales. Both are completely tax deductible as an advertising expense.