Meet Ms. ASU
Christina Thompson
Issue date: 3/17/09 Section: Arts & Life
|
Jennifer Ross, a senior early childhood education major, was crowned Ms. ASU on Feb. 21, 2009. During the ceremony, many thoughts traveled through Ross' head before she was announced as winner of the title.
"Another girl had won first runner-up, and I knew I had tough competition so I just didn't think I had it," Ross explained. "I was preparing myself so that if I won I was going to be humble, and if I didn't win, I would be congratulatory to whoever did win."
Ross was born and raised in Augusta and graduated from Richmond Academy High School. She is the youngest of her two siblings and enjoys shopping, dining out and going to the movies.
She said there are two moments in her life, she said she considers great achievements. The first was her initiation into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on Dec. 2, 2007. The second was breaking the habit of sucking her thumb in January 2008.
"I sucked my thumb for 21 years," Ms. ASU said. "That may be embarrassing for someone else to say, but for me, it's liberating. I knew it was a habit I really needed to break, and I really worked hard at it.
"I was able to overcome it. Whenever I go to a new class, they always say, 'Tell me something about yourself that nobody else would know,' and that's always the first thing I say because it feels good to overcome something. Habits are hard to break."
Ross said she aspires to be an author of children's literature, focusing on tough issues children face everyday, such as divorce and poverty. She has already written some manuscripts, which she is in the process of sending to publishers.
Sheila Williams, Ross' mother, and first lady Michelle Obama are Ross' role models. She said she looks up to them in more ways than one and likes the qualities they embody. According to Ross, they have both taught her that dreams are attainable and nothing is beyond reach.
Not many people know that Ross wants to pursue ballroom dancing as one of her short-term goals. The waltz is her favorite, and after her graduation in December 2009, she said she plans to take a chance and hit the floor with a dance instructor. She does enjoy watching "Dancing with the Stars," but rarely has time to catch the show due to her busy schedule.
Ross said she is grateful for the people who have encouraged her over the years and wants to provide someone else with the guidance she was lucky enough to receive.
Be the first to comment on this story