Ashley graduated from Gillespie High School (GHS) in 2011, earning the Carol Enrico DeLucca Scholarship for a Top Girl Graduate. She used the $500 Partnership award toward freshman tuition at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ashley majored in public relations and minored in music business at Belmont, graduating early in December of 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

“I am now an account executive at MP&F Public Relations in downtown Nashville, Tennessee,” she says. “I work on multiple client accounts which cover everything from non- profits to government entities to hotels. On any given day I may be working on digital marketing, event planning, or media relations. It keeps me busy!”

Ashley notes with pride: “I have been with MP&F for three years and within that time I’ve been promoted twice.” She notes that she plans to stay in Nashville “at least for the next couple of years. I guess you could say the South has stolen my heart.”

In her free time, she loves to travel. “I have made it a priority in my life to travel,” she says. “In May I went to Ireland, and next year I plan to go to Germany and the Czech Republic.”

As to the importance of post-secondary education to Ashley, she says, “I’m so thankful for my college education! My college experience was one of the best of my life. I really grew up and became my own, independent person.”

Her scholarship from The Partnership “was very helpful,” she says. “Between tuition, books, and dorm needs, every little bit counts! Thank you!”

Ashley is the daughter of Bill and Luann Heyen of rural Gillespie.