A Shelby County native and graduate of Thompson High School, Ashlee Stiglich has reigned as Miss Shelby County 2010 and has represented our county with grace, limitless energy and beauty.

The talented junior at the University of Montevallo has kept a non-stop pace as Shelby County’s ambassador, informing the public of her platform, Fun-N-Fit Kids: A Fitness Awareness.

As Stiglich begins the final months of her reign, her time is filled. Sunday, May 16, before the Miss Alabama Pageant, she was the honoree at a send-off tea at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David Galik of Alabaster. Stiglich greeted her friends, supporters, dance instructors, as well as her dance students at Tap, Toe and Twirl in Helena, where she is an instructor. Stiglich placed a crown on each of her students as they entered the party, and attendees wrote notes of support for Stiglich to be delivered during pageant week.

Miss Alabama week begins June 6 with an opportunity for the public to meet Stiglich and other contestants at Brookwood Mall at 12:30 p.m. The Miss Alabama Pageant preliminaries, June 9-11, and the finals, June 12, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Wright Center at Samford University. For ticket info, go to Missalabama.com.

Liberty Day is June 26 in Columbiana and Stiglich will host the Vignette Club Luncheon for her sponsors and former Miss Shelby County representatives. She will also be available for autographs from 1-3 p.m. in front of Donald Real Estate on East College Street and ride in the Liberty Day Parade.

Stiglich’s year has been filled with many highlights. Her Second Annual Groovy Girl Party raised more than $600 for the Children Miracle Network. “This event is a disco party I put on each year to raise awareness and funds for all the children who have to visit Children’s Hospital,” said Stiglich.

A few of Stiglich’s many highlights include: attending Children Hospital’s Sugar Plum Toy Drop and Christmas Card Drive; greeting children with Santa at Alabaster Library’s Christmas Party; riding in Alabaster and Columbiana’s Christmas Parades; modeling in the Have a Heart for the Arts fashion show luncheon to benefit the Shelby County Arts Council; and reading on Dr. Seuss’ Day to first-graders at Elvin Hill Elementary in Columbiana.

Stiglich’s reign will end on July 16, as she crowns Miss Shelby County 2011 at Shelby County High School in the oldest Miss Alabama preliminary pageant in Shelby County sponsored by the Vignette Club of Columbiana.

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by e–mail at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.