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This year, those students elected the 14-year -old to be their class president, probably, said Principal Davis Eidahl, because she is what an Evans student should be. But what does that mean?
"I always try to smile [and] be friendly to people," Ashley said between classes. "I'm involved in extracurricular activities, and stay out of trouble."
Staying out of trouble is actually the norm for the majority of kids at her school.
"That's what people expect from a typical Evans student," she said. "We're old enough we should be able to do that."
She doesn't have a difficult decision when it comes to finding things to do during her down time - she doesn't have any.
"I don't really do a lot of sitting around," Ashley claimed.
Like most students, of course, she has homework.
"I get my work done - on time. We have assignments, and I take it home or get it done at school. If it's due the next day, that's when I have it done."
Being organized and respectful makes life easier on students - and staff.
"I think it's easier for the teachers to teach someone [who is] more willing to learn," she said.
"My parents have taught me to be respectful. I'm sure a lot of Evans students' parents expect the same."
Part of that "respect" formula is respect for oneself: Finding productive things to do, and using common sense.
"If I see something that doesn't look right, I don't try to get into it," Ashley said.
Instead, she makes an effort to get involved with things that she knows are positive fun: Besides hanging out with friends, she participates in organized activities in school, from student council to track and basketball. Outside of school, she's on the Ottumwa "Explosion," a traveling volleyball team, plays tennis and is a student member of the Ottumwa Human Rights Commission.
The "commissioner" job comes with being student council president. Last year, she was secretary/recorder.
"Last year's president made it seem fun, and the leadership factor, I like that," she said.
And what does "leadership" mean in eighth grade?
"You try to [make] good decisions for the group you're leading. And hopefully, if I do something good, they'll do something good, because they look up to me," she said.
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