From screaming children’s parties to serious business gatherings, one Nicholls student has planned them all. Ashley Woolledge, mass communication junior from Marrero, is much more than a student, and a long list of activities proves it.
To begin, Ashley is a business owner.
For the last two years, she, along with her family, has owned Riverside Amusements Entertainment-a party-planning company that provides rentable, attraction-like items like inflatable play sets, carousels and snack vending.
Her parents began the business when she was 8-years-old. While growing up around the business, she learned everything about event planning. She soon found she had just the personality for it.
“I love everything about party-planning,” Woolledge said. “I’m just a very creative and fun-loving person.”
Occasionally, Ashley dresses up as well-known children’s characters for her planned events.
While dressed in character, she performs magic, paints faces and crafts balloons. She also poses with the children for photos.
Where her schoolwork is concerned, she manages to juggle her responsibilities quite well.
She attends her classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and books event plans for people on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Next on her agenda includes being a substitute teacher and choir director at Holy Name of Mary in Algiers. She also teaches a Co-fraternity of Christian Doctrine class, generally known as CCD.
Being a singer has a place on her list as well. Ashley frequently sings at weddings and funerals.
This year, she auditioned for American Idol in Atlanta.
There, she completed three main rounds and two side rounds. She was even required to memorize the song “Glamorous” by Fergie to sing for the judges.
“It is not for the weak,” she said. “You have to be prepared for some intense days.”
She also says the judges will say just about anything to get a television-worthy reaction out of anyone auditioning.
In an interview with some of the producers of American Idol, she was even asked jokingly if she lived in a cardboard box because of Hurricane Katrina.
Being a business owner makes a second appearance on her activities list. In addition to Riverside Amusements, Ashley also helps run a travel agency called Riverside Dream Travel.
The agency assists people in booking flights, rental cars, hotels and other details involved in planning a vacation.
“We want people to know we have the means to help them travel better,” Wooledge said.
Ashley has high hopes for the second business. She sees herself helping Riverside Dream Travel growing successful after college. She would eventually like to form it into her full-time career.
Being a college student, a two-time business owner, a teacher, choir director and singer all adorn Ashley’s list of accomplishments.
Ashley says that people often ask how she manages to have such a packed schedule and maintain it so well.
“Everyone always says I do so much, but it’s just the kind of person I am,” Woolledge said, “Staying busy and keeping life rolling!”
She relates the events of Hurricane Katrina to the fact that she makes the most out of her life. She came to a realization that life should be enjoyed to its fullest because it is ultimately uncertain.
“Katrina showed me that life goes on,” she said. “And you should take risks and not let anything stop you.
