Queen profile: Borchilo

By Jean Shanley

06/18/07 June 17, 2007 10:56 pm

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Ashley Borchilo has learned a lot about time management since she was crowned Miss Crawford County last August.
Borchilo, who is competing for the title of Miss Pennsylvania this week, always thought she managed time very well.
This year, the 22-year-old said she moved to a whole new level.
Not only was she attending college (she graduated this spring summa cum laude from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania), she was making personal appearances as Miss Crawford County and working at the Ice Cream Cottage and at The Gap.
It was at her work at the Ice Cream Cottage that she realized that in Crawford County, the title of Miss Crawford County makes her a celebrity. She said while serving a customer, she was asked if she was Miss Crawford County. It surprised her because she didn’t realize people would recognize her that much.
Borchilo also found time to do some volunteer work, have a social life and still prepare for her appearance this week at the state pageant events.
So she became quite skilled at making the most of every minute she had.
Being Miss Crawford County is more than just making appearances: It also is promoting her platform, perfecting her talent performance, participating in mock interviews to prepare for the judges’ questions, and doing workouts to remain physically fit.
“It was very hectic,” she said without a trace of stress in her voice.
Her platform is “The Burning Truth: Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention.” Through it she promotes monthly skin self-exams, the regular use of protective clothing and awareness of the ultra-violet ray index as ways to combat skin cancer.
Her talent will be a jazz dance to “Razzle Dazzle,” the same dance she performed to win the title of Miss Crawford County.
“I definitely feel prepared,” Borchilo said.
Is she nervous? She laughed as she replied, “There isn’t time to be nervous.” But, she added, that may change when preliminary activities for the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant shift into high gear this week.
She has been very pleased with the support she has received from the community.
Cheryl Cameron, co-director of the county pageant, and her husband, Glenn, a board member, took Borchilo to the competition over the weekend. Other board members will make the trip this week to show support.
Borchilo, a daughter of Richard and Susan Borchilo of Saegertown, has been accepted for the fall semester at Gannon University in Erie for graduate studies, pursuing a master’s degree in public administration.
But this week, the focus is all on the state pageant where the Borchilo family is hoping all that time management and work will translate into a title as Miss Pennsylvania.

Jean Shanley can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at jshanley@meadvilletribune.com.