Isabella Jedra & The ALS Association

Hometown Honoree: Isabella Jedra

FOR LOVE OF LEXINGTON

My first name is Isabelle but most call me "Belle". I hold Lexington, Ohio near and dear to my heart because it has shaped me into the lady I am. I love the comfortableness and warmth that stems from living in a small town or that I have experienced since I have lived in Lexington since I was born. This is something I stressed during my reign as Miss Ohio Teen USA 2019.

Now that I am attending the University of Cincinnati, things are so much different. I hear a lot more sirens, street noise, am exposed to a huge range of people, and city living. From growing up in a so called "village" it has almost been a bit of a culture shock. I have to be much more aware of my surroundings and a little more down to earth. I often get reminded "Isabelle, this isn't little Lexington anymore." Don't get me wrong, I love it! But I love looking forward to coming home to my peace and quiet. I can relax and take a breather. I admire the cleanliness, kind people, and all of the small town values that come in waves that remind me of home and childhood. Passing by JB's where I would beg my mom to go, the Bicentennial park where I loved the big yellow slides, or the bowling alley. I love how things haven't changed. Lexington is a great place to raise a family and an involved and caring community. Don't believe me? Attend the Blueberry Festival or Light up Lex!

JUST A GLIMPSE INTO HER FUTURE ASPIRATIONS:

As I enter my next chapter of life majoring in communications with a fashion minor in hopes to be a buyer for a big fashion company one day or the planner of any runway show for New York fashion week... I will look forward to coming back home and getting a coffee at Nickel and Bean!

HOW SHE TAKES HER COFFEE:

Isbella enjoys an iced blended blackberry latte

Isbella Jedra Chooses: The ALS ASSOCIATION

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons  die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

For the month of January in honor of our #everynickelcounts campaign a nickel of every sale will be directed to this powerful nonprofit project.

For more information or to make a donation please visit: www.http://www.alsa.org/