Ashley Hines
Miss Morgan State University
Interview Video »

A Mirror into the Community

I have always believed that in order to find yourself, you have to lose yourself in the service of others. For this reason, I have chosen to dedicate my life to helping others, in hopes that my actions will inspire others to do the same. One of the biggest causes that I advocate for is the guidance and well-being of children and young adults. If chosen Miss MEAC 2010, I will continue to work hard and build upon programs that I have previously initiated and participated in that are designed to cultivate children, under my platform "Each One, Reach One: Securing our keys to the future."

One program that I participate in under this platform is, “Morgan Mentors, Winston Winners.” The program, founded by a graduate of Morgan State University, pairs mentors from Morgan with a mentee from Winston Middle School. Mentors are able to establish a personal relationship with their mentee by arranging activities to participate in whenever it’s convenient for both parties. During three years with the program, I have acquired two mentees, one of which is now a sophomore in high school. My mentees are leaders at their school and work hard to excel in the classroom and school activities.

Due to my commitment to helping others, I feel that it’s important to engage youth in community service activities. Moveable Feast, a nonprofit meal delivery program for homebound people living with AIDS in the greater Baltimore area, is one community service initiative that I currently partake in with young adults. Our role with the program is to package the meals to be delivered to the organization’s clients.

"My Sister's Keeper," is a mentoring program that I plan to initiate during the spring 2010 semester. The program, featuring high school girls, main focus is to instill high self esteem in young women, while also preparing them for future endeavors and giving them advice on issues they may face as young women. “My Sister’s Keeper” meeting sessions will center on topics such as goal setting, family, hygiene, and etiquette just to name a few. The program will also enforce community service initiatives in which the girls must participate in, in order to matriculate through the program.

I have found myself because I have dedicated time to provide mentorship to our nation’s most valuable resource. Serving as a mirror to the community has allowed me to be an example to my fellow peers as well as to the children that I mentor. I have seen my reflection in the children that I serve and they are now mirrors to the community too! Being chosen Miss MEAC 2010 will provide a larger arena to reach more young adults. My goal is for each person I touch, to reach another and eventually see their reflection in them one day.