Autobiographical Timeline

"The Crocodile Hunter" Premieres

1997

"The Crocodile Hunter" aired on Animal Planet. This franchise took off due to its hosts' unconventional way of studying and interacting with wildlife. Unfortunately, Steve Irwin passed too soon, but his family carries on his legacy by continuing the series. Picture.

Black Hawk Helicopter Crash

Jul 9, 1997

During a routine training mission, a Black Hawk Helicopter crashed and burned during a routine training session in Fort Bragg. All eight soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division died in the crash. The cause of the crash was human error, with a rotor blade striking a tree as the copter lowered. Picture.

Ashley's Family Moves

Sep 12, 1997

My family moved into our current home. Our home is situated on land that is also shared by my mom's parents, her grandmother, and her siblings. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my cousins and grandparents since we lived so close to one another.

Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Agreed to by North Carolina

1998

This agreement forbid tobacco companies from targeting youth, using cartoon characters in advertisements, offering free product samples, and advertising outdoors. This agreement restricted advertising, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products from tobacco companies. It was the result of many lawsuits being formed against tobacco companies due to smoking-related illnesses.

Ashley's First Beach Trip

1998

My family took our first beach trip to Myrtle Beach. This sparked a tradition of going to Myrtle Beach, SC, with my mom's side of the family for a week in July each year. This tradition would continue for the next ten years until our family was too large for a rental property.

Animal Kingdom Opens in Disney World

Apr 22, 1998

Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida, opened Animal Kingdom - a 500 acre park that enabled guests to interact and gaze with animals. Guests could now get up close and personal with animals from all over the world thanks to exhibits like the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Ashley Goes to Tweetsie Railroad

2001

In 2001, my grandparents took my sister, cousins, and I to Tweetsie Railroad for the first time. It quickly became our favorite place to visit! It was also the first time we had traveled to western NC. For the next three years, my grandparents continued this tradition of taking us to Tweetsie Railroad.

Helicopter Crashes Near Camp Lejeune

Jul 10, 2001

Three crewmen died and two were injured after a Marine Corps helicopter crashed during a night training session. The CH-46 Sea Knight was attempting to land on the deck of a ship when it crashed at 11 PM into the New River.

Terrorist Attack Takes Down the Twin Towers

Sep 11, 2001

Members of al-Qaeda hijacked 4 U.S. airplanes; 2 crashed into the Twin Towers in NYC, 1 crashed into the Pentagon, and the other crashed in Pennsylvania but was intended to strike the White House. This attack was believed to be the result of anger over the U.S. supporting Israel, the U.S.'s involvement in the Persian Gulf War, and the U.S.'s military presence in the Middle East. Picture

Carolina Hurricanes win Stanley Cup

2006

The Carolina Hurricanes beat out the Edmonton Oilers in seven games to win the Stanley Cup. It was the first - and only - time in history where the finals took place between two former World Hockey Association (WHA) franchises. Picture.

Ashley Begins Cheerleading

2006

In sixth grade, I made the cheerleading team, which marked the beginning of my cheerleading career. I would go on to be captain of the team my eighth grade year and make the varsity squad as a freshman in high school in 2009 - a huge feat!

Pluto Downgraded to Dwarf Planet

2006

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) downgraded Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet. This was due to Pluto not meeting the third criteria for being classified as a planet - clearing the neighboring area in its orbit of other objects - since Pluto shares its neighboring region with Kuiper belt objects. Four hundred twenty-four astronomers voted on the matter, including U.S. astronomers.

James B. Hunt Jr. Library Dedicated

Apr 3, 2013

James B. Hunt Jr. Library opened and was dedicated to the former governor that served four terms and was also an alumnus of NC State University, Jim Hunt. It was a five year construction project and embodies NC State's innovative spirit in science, technology, engineering, and textiles. Picture

Ashley Graduates

Jun 10, 2013

I graduated from Southern Alamance High School in 2013 as Valedictorian. The teachers at this school shaped me into the individual that I am today and prepared me for my undergraduate education at NC State University.

U.S. Supreme Court Invalidates Defense of Marriage Act

Jun 26, 2013

The Defense of Marriage Act was deemed unconstitutional with a 5-4 vote. This act prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage and prevented same-sex couples from receiving hundreds of the same benefits as heterosexual couples, violating the Fifth Amendment. Picture