Hayley Franklin

Hayley Franklin (Staff photo by Ken Ritchie)

Kristen Snyder
Courier Staff Writer

Hayley Franklin, 21, of Carrollton, has always had a dream to be involved in her community. Not yet done with college, Franklin is already well on her way to making a difference in her hometown.

“I love Carrollton. It is my pride and joy,” Franklin said. “I’ve been involved in my community since high school. I was a part of student council and Students Against Destructive Decisions and a lot of other high school organizations. In college, I continued volunteering.”

Franklin, who is attending Northern Kentucky University majoring in communication studies and has a minor in public relations, was recommended by Mayor Gene McMurry to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

“It was a little out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to become involved in politics,” Franklin said. “I’ve learned a lot about my community. I also hope to run for City Council during the next election.”

Franklin also represents her community by participating in pageants. For the 2012 pageant season, she will be competing for Miss Kentucky County Fair, in a preliminary pageant for Miss Kentucky America and in the Miss Kentucky USA. She will also be competing in the Madison Regatta pageant. Being so involved in pageants also led her to become the Fair Board co-coordinator of pageants. She also organized a Relay For Life pageant in Carrollton last year that raised $3,000 for the organization, and hopes to have the pageant again this year.

Franklin is heavily involved with March of Dimes, which raises awareness and money for premature babies. She volunteers as a community support worker with North Key, an organization that works with disadvantaged children, in which she does one-on-one fun activities with the children. She is also a substitute teacher, is involved with the Disability Awareness Walk and participates in the annual Carrollton River Sweep.

“I just try to help anyone I can, any way I can,” Franklin said.