Huntress is new Ms. Wheelchair USA

BILLINGS – Camouflage and tiaras don’t typically mix, but Ashlee Lundvall has found a way to make the unusual combination work.

Lundvall, a 30-year-old Cody resident, was recently crowned Ms. Wheelchair USA, an honor that she plans to use to bring greater attention to the numerous outdoor activities available to folks like herself.

“The main thing I want people to understand is that even with a disability, you can be active outdoors,” she said in a recent telephone interview.

Lundvall won the title out of a field of 10 finalists at the July 16-20 event in Ohio. She said she’s never been the tiara type, but took on the challenge as one way to trumpet the volunteer Wyoming Disabled Hunters organization that she’s involved with.

It’s her participation in hunting, she believes, that helped set her apart from the other contestants.

“Hunting is a passion I found after I was disabled,” Lundvall said.

In 1999, Lundvall was at a church ranch near Wapiti when she fell off a hayrack and broke her back.

After graduating from college, she went on to earn a master’s degree in biblical counseling. She is married and has a 2-year-old daughter.