Ms. Wheelchair Arizona – Gina N. Schuh

Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas – Jonna Bloodworth

Ms. Wheelchair California – Shannon nee Hy-Coe

Ms. Wheelchair Colorado – LaTonya Reeves

Ms. Wheelchair District of Columbia – Deborah M. Barnes

Ms. Wheelchair Florida – Shari Deanna Wilson

Ms. Wheelchair Indiana – Katrina Gossett

Ms. Wheelchair Iowa – Ashley Lerch

Ms. Wheelchair Kansas – Amanda Steiner

Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky – Jaime Blanton

Ms. Wheelchair Maryland – Denise R. Thomas

Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts – Kristen Ann Parisi

Ms. Wheelchair Michigan – Kathleen J. LeMieux

Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska – Lorinda L. Brown

Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey – Cynthia DeSouza

Ms. Wheelchair New York – Crystal Bergmann

Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina – Brandee Lee Ponder

Ms. Wheelchair Ohio – Shari Lynn Cooper

Ms. Wheelchair Oklahoma – Elizabeth Marie Reeve

Ms. Wheelchair South Dakota – Natalie D. Molitor

Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee – Kasondra Marlene Farmer

Ms. Wheelchair Texas – Michelle Colvard

Ms. Wheelchair Utah – Ashlee Allington

Ms. Wheelchair Virginia – Rose Williams

Ms. Wheelchair Washington – Meg Paulsen

Ms. Wheelchair Alabama
2008 Amanda McBay

HONEST…
     OUTGOING…
          CARING…
               OUTSPOKEN…
                    INQUISITIVE…

• Lives in Hartselle, Alabama with her fiancé
• Has a son currently serving in Iraq
• Received a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Athens State University
• Traumatic Brain Injury as the result of an accident
• Written an autobiography which she hope to get published
• Self Perception: Honest, Outgoing, Caring, Outspoken, Inquisitive

Day 1 - Amanda Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 3 - 50’s Night

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair Arizona
2008 Gina N. Schuh

ASSERTIVE…
     HAPPY…
          DETERMINED…
               OUTGOING…
                    GREGARIOUS…

• Lives in Mesa, Arizona with her mother and sister
• Works with Mesa Partnership for children with special healthcare needs
• Attends Mesa Community College; working toward Law School
• Quadriplegic as the result of a diving accident
• Enjoys school, working with disability organizations, spending time with family and her fiance, and SHOPPING!
• Self Perception: Assertive, Happy, Determined, Outgoing, Gregarious

Day 1 - Gina Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas
2008 Jonna Bloodworth

OPTIMISTIC…
     GREGARIOUS…
          RESILIENT…
               DETERMINED…
                    TENACIOUS…

• Lives on her own in Springdale, Arkansas
• Employed full time as a Secretary for the Office of Deaf and Hearing Impaired
• Works as a Direct Care provider with the Elizabeth Richardson Center
• Awards include the 2003 Arkansas Ability Award and the 2007 Connie Gross Leadership Award
• Disabled since birth due to Cerebral Palsy
• Enjoys spending time with her three daughters and five grandchildren
• Self Perception: Optimistic, Gregarious, Resilient, Determined, Tenacious

Day 1 - Jonna Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair California
2008 Shannon Coe, nee Hy

ADVENTUROUS…
     PASSIONATE…
          COURAGEOUS…
               VIVACIOUS…
                    STRONG…

• Lives in Davis, California with her husband
• Volunteers for Joni and Friends Wheels for the World Program
• Received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the University of California, Berkeley
• Plans to obtain a Master’s degree in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies
• Acquired polio shortly after birth
• Enjoys traveling, nature and outdoor activities such as hand cycling, kayaking, and water-rafting
• Self Perception: Adventurous, Passionate, Courageous, Vivacious, Strong

Day 1 - Shannon Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair Colorado
2008 LaTonya Reeves

HONEST…
     KNOWLEDGABLE…
          INSPIRATIONAL…
               STRONG WILLED…
                    SMART ON DISABILITY ISSUES…

• Lives on her own in Denver, Colorado
• Employed as a Transition Coordinator
• Volunteers as Girl Scout Leader
• Received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Memphis State
• Disabled since birth due to Cerebral Palsy
• Enjoys swimming, bowling, and reading
• Self Perception: Honest, Knowledgable, Inspirational, Strong willed, Smart on Disability Issues

Day 1 - LaTonya Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair District of Columbia
2008 Deborah M. Barnes

DETERMINED…
     ENERGETIC…
          COMMITTED…
               LOYAL…
                    CHRISTIAN…

• Lives in Washington, DC with her two children; Stephen and Amand
• Employed as a Program Assistant with the Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration
• Volunteers as a tutor for an adult Literacy Program
• Attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, and Univesity of Maryland University College
• Disabled since birth due to Cerebral Palsy
• Enjoys reading, writing, and knitting
• Self Perception: Determined, Energetic, Committed, Loyal, Christian

Day 1 - Deborah Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair Florida
2008 Shari Deanna Wilson

DETERMINED…
     MOTIVATED…
          GENEROUS…
               OPEN-MINDED…
                    FAITHFUL…

• Lives with sibling in Tampa, Florida
• Volunteers as Children’s Ministry Teacher at Joyful Noise Tabernacle
• Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science from University of South Florida
• Pursuing a Master’s of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction
• Disabled due to the Onset of Dermatomyositis-muscular, autoimmune in 1990
• Enjoys spending time with family either watching a good movie or family dinners
• Self Perception: Determined, Motivated, Generous, Open-minded, Faithful

Day 1 - Shari Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 3 - 50’s Night

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair Indiana
2008 Katrina Gossett

• Lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with parents
• Volunteers at the University of Chicago Law School Employment Discrimination Clinic
• Pursuing a JD at the University of Chicago Law School
• Graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree from the University of Notre Dame
• Disabled since birth due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Day 1 - Katrina Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 3 - 50’s Night

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches

Ms. Wheelchair Iowa
2008 Ashley Lerch

AMBITIOUS…
     OUTGOING…
          POSITIVE…
               RESPONSIBLE…
                    MOTIVATED…

• Lives in Waterloo, Iowa with her boyfriend
• Employed as a Program Associate at the University of Northern Iowa’s Student Disability Services Office.
• Volunteers as an advisor for the student organization Awareness for Individuals with Disabilities
• Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and Psychology from Iowa State University
• Sustained a Spinal Cord Injury as a result of a farm accident
• Enjoys watching movies, traveling, and reading books
• Self Perception: Ambitious, Outgoing, Positive, Responsible, Motivated

Day 1 - Ashley Arrives in Rockville

Day 2 - Funday!

Day 4 - Resume Judging and State Displays

Day 5 - Platform Speeches