Ashley, daughter of Terry and Sherry Buckhout was presented the Nicholas Van Slyck Scholarship by the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic at the final concert of their season at the Rogers Center at Merrimack College April 29. This is an annual Scholarship given in memory of Mr.Van Slyck who served as conductor and music director of the orchestra for fifteen years.

Throughout her High School years Ashley has participated in the Young Opera Company of New England, Haverhill High Chamber Choir and chorus, Treble Chorus of N.E., and Methuen Young People's Theatre. She was selected Classical Singer High School Competition Semi-finalist/Regional Finalist 2006/2007. She is President of the National Honor Society and has received many academic awards including the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for advanced achievement on the MCAS and the AP Scholar Award from the Collegeboard AP. She has been active in various school clubs and has been an Emmaus House Student Volunteer since 2004. She currently studies privately with Brett Johnson and will attend The Cleveland Institute of Music where she will major in vocal performance, pursuing opera as her goal.