THE ROAD TO MISS CALIFORNIA
Reigning Miss City of Fresno Ashlyn Cruise Chats About Her Big Picture
Ashlyn Cruise embodies what the Miss America Organization is all about. “The Miss America Organization has moved away from the pageant scene and is solely focusing on empowering and encouraging young women to further their education by becoming a scholarship competition. I was drawn to the competition for that exact reason, along with the life skills that come along with it—learning how to market and brand, communication skills, public speaking, and making connections,” she explains. The reigning Miss City of Fresno first competed at the age of 19, took a year off, and competed again in 2020 where she was the first runner up. Then, finally, she took home a title in 2021. Having earned the title Miss City of Fresno, her very first title, at the competition held on November 13th, 2021 at the Paul Shaghoian Memorial Concert Hall, she is now on a mission to serve the deaf and hard of hearing community on the road to Miss California.
LB Tell us about the road to Miss California, coming this summer of 2022.
AC The journey to Miss California is a time to prepare myself with public speaking experience, working on my social media marketing, volunteering in the community, and being able to show the judges this summer that I am ready and well equipped to serve the state of California. As Fresno being the host city of Miss California, I want to represent Fresno through my dedication to community service.
LB What is the year of service? How you are personally invested in your goal to advocate for those in the deaf and hard of hearing community?
AC A year of service is what we call our year as a title holder. This year, I have made it my personal mission to raise awareness and be an ally for those in the deaf and hard of hearing community. My desire to advocate for this particular community began when I was just 13 years old—it was then in my pre-algebra class that I encountered a deaf student and realized I had no idea how to communicate with her. Since then, I have been determined to bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf communities.
LB In what ways do you use social media to further the reach of your advocation?
AC I utilize my social media to spread awareness by posting about deaf education and statistic facts, semi-weekly videos educating my followers on sign language that could benefit them in their everyday life, as well as using it as a source to spread the message about my new t-shirt line.
LB How do the particulars of your message and approach stand apart from others?
AC What makes my social initiative, entitled “I Am Listening,” stand out from other advocates is how unique it is to our community. According to a study done in 2020, it is estimated that nearly ten percent of Fresno’s population is deaf or hard of hearing. American Sign Language is the third most used language in the United States yet, yet only one percent of the hearing population uses it. American Sign Language has been taken out of the public school system. This is what makes “I Am Listening” so important. I am giving the community the needed tools and education to encourage the use of sign language, a language that has become less used in recent years.
LB Tell us about your partnership with Fresno’s Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service Center (DHHSC).
AC I chose to work with Fresno’s Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service Center because of all that they do for the community. In December, I was able to be a part of their annual Christmas dinner event where we passed out meals to over 40 families. Not only do they ensure their members are fed, they also make sure they are taken care of in terms of current events, providing interpreters, in-person relay call centers, information on COVID-19 vaccines, and so much more.
LB How have you and your mission evolved with this new chapter as reigning Miss City of Fresno?
AC In my three months as Miss City of Fresno, my mission has evolved from just focusing on my own social impact and what is needed to do to win a title to how I can best serve my community and how I can be a leader for other young women who might also see themselves as having a heart for service but not knowing how they can get involved. The Miss America Organization is all about giving women a platform and preparing great women for the world, and the world for great women. I hope to prepare Fresno for this as well.
LB What is your fundraising goal for Fresno’s Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service Center, and how do you plan to achieve it?
AC I have set the goal to raise $1,000 for Fresno’s Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service Center. In order to achieve my goal, I have designed American Sign Language shirts that I personally make myself and sell. Another fundraiser item I will be adding to the website this spring is my first children’s book. The book follows a young hearing girl and a deaf girl navigating friendship and a language barrier. Once the book is fully published, they will be added to the website where all proceeds will go to the DHHSC.
LB How has achieving Miss City of Fresno influenced the development of your character, and what do you hope to further accomplish at the Miss California level?
AC Over my time competing for a title in the Miss America Organization, I’ve learned to focus more on the points of the crown and how I can best serve others by mentoring and practicing with my fellow candidates, as opposed to just focusing on winning a title. As the next Miss California, I would like to accomplish a state-wide book tour, expanding my social initiative “I Am Listening” and partnering with various deaf and hard of hearing organizations, and inspiring others to take a leap of faith and pursue goals they might think are too hard for them.
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
