Ripon Almond Blossom Queen hopeful Ashly Gomez loves her family life that includes her cherished practice of preparing dinner alongside her Dad. 
Their favorite recipe is chicken and dumpling Soup made from scratch.
Ashly said she has also been journaling since the seventh grade and loves to put her thoughts down on paper at the end of the day. She says it is very relaxing and often releases pressures that are on her mind.  After finishing her entries she often sees the light with an “Ah-Hah” moment when something becomes clearer to her than it was earlier in the day.
She also coaches for the Ripon Chiefs junior football squad and is currently involved in varsity track at Ripon High.  Participating in shot-put, high jump and long jump she has found her love for the field events.
She enjoys going to the movies with her mother and their current favorite is “Perks of Being a Wall Flower,”  In the past she has enjoyed ice skating, traveling to Pinecrest, Lake Tahoe and Modesto.
“I used to do it a lot when I was little – like four years old – at Pinecrest in the winter,” she said. 
Other hobbies include singing and playing the guitar and the piano.  She has also played the drums and sings in the shower.
Last month she was in an Associated Student Body fundraising talent show at Ripon High where she sang “Perfect Strangers” by Jonas Blue. 
Ripon residents can expect to see Ashly selling the festival’s raffle tickets for $1 each that benefits the contest by providing scholarship funds for the girls.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.