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Top Singles 2009

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By Matt Lemmon; Photos by Kevin O'Riley; Produced by Megan Johnson; Styling by Nicole Fuller & Amanda Tullis; Ladies fashions provided by Panache Boutique; Hair and makeup by Cassie Darst; Location Fedora Social House

Here they are, Springfield—your 2009 Top Singles winners. This issue (and the killer party) is the culmination of a more than two-month process to nominate, narrow down, and finally vote on Springfield’s most eligible men and women. More than 20,000 votes were cast, and these were your top six men and top six women. We hope you enjoy meeting them as much as we did.

Click here to learn more about our Top Singles Mingle on November 25

Click on a Top Single to read his or her profile!

Ashley Vallely

23, regional trainer/administrative assistant, Metabolic Research Center

You could say Ashley is in the life-improvement business. As a trainer for Metabolic Research Center, she’s responsible for preparing all of the people who help customers with special medical conditions get in shape through individualized plans. So what is Ashley looking for in a guy who can help her improve her own life (not that it needs much)? He needs to be able to carry a conversation... A secluded cabin up in the mountains might be a good start, as well.

Get to Know Ashley

She’s looking for: An adventure. She is so over: Guys who can’t carry on a conversation. A total romantic deal-breaker: Getting taken out on mama’s money. Has a little celebrity crush on: Ryan Reynolds. If she competed in an Olympic event, it would be: Rhythmic gymnastics . “I love to think I can dance.” She wouldn’t be caught dead: Wearing white eyeliner. Her friends are: G"reat! We get into too much trouble, and I like it." Her secret talent: Persuasion. Nobody knows that I: "Often dream about food, and constantly think about what I am going to eat at my next meal." Food or drink weakness: Donuts and Mountain Dew. Most embarrassing song on her iPod: "Livin' la Vida Loca," by Ricky Martin. Last movie she saw: The Hangover. "Hilarious!" Last book she read: The Shack, by Williams Young. Heroes: My three sisters. "They are the most amazing women I know." Biggest accomplishment: "Getting the most amazing job with a company that will always have a place in my heart." She's a sucker for: Smiles. Her nickname is: Blondie. She's like to confess to: Eating a whole box of Krispie Kremes by herself. On her bucket list: spending New Year's Eve in Times Square.

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Randy Mitchum

27, co-owner, Mitchum Jewelers

Last seen in GO Magazine as a member of the 20 Under 30 class of 2008, Randy’s credentials as a Top Single should be just as obvious. Ladies, can you say “owns lots of diamonds”? That said, Randy says he does a pretty good job separating his work from his personal life: “I’ve had good luck picking the right girls.” Or, maybe we should say he just hasn’t found the right girl yet, hmm? When he’s not flying off to Belgium, Randy is riding his Harley and frequenting Springfield night spots.

Get to Know Randy

Pets: A cat, Samson. “He rules the world.” He’s looking for: More free time. Nobody knows that he: Has a cleaning obsession: “I’m really good at vacuuming.” Dream vacation: Thailand. The most embarrassing song on his iPod: I have a lot of Justin Timberlake. Has a little celebrity crush on: Mila Kunis. If he competed in an Olympic event, it would be: Martial arts. (Randy is a third-degree black belt in tae kwon do and is learning Kenpo.) Heroes: Used to be Chuck Norris. “Then I saw Dodgeball, and I didn’t like that guy anymore.” On his bucket list: Hang out with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. His friends are: Influentially dangerous. A total romantic deal-breaker is: "A girl breaking up with me." Food and drink weakness: Beer and pizza. Last movie he saw: 300. Last book he read: "Something about diamonds." Biggest accomplishment: Bought a house at 20 years old. "All because I mowed lawns." He's a sucker for: Pretty girls' smiles.

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Hanna Pickering

24, office manager, Z Auto Group

Hanna Pickering works in the auto business, but is studying to be a dental hygienist. And while that’s not a super-normal career path, don’t worry: You won’t have any problems knowing where Hanna’s coming from when you meet her. “I don’t hold a lot back,” she says, “when I feel something you’ll know it.” Hanna supplements her income by doing promotions for a local beer company. She’s not afraid of adventure; she once went to Australia by herself for five months, owns a Harley, and wants to sky dive with her grandmother. So what if her tastes aren’t 100 percent clear? They’re cool.

Get to Know Hanna

She is so over: Affliction T-shirts on guys. Her total romantic deal-breaker: Smoking. “No matter the physical attraction.” Secret talent: Singing. “I was asked to sing at a local baseball game.” Most embarrassing song on her iPod: “A Whole New World,” by Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson. Has a little celebrity crush on: Kristen Wiig and Emma Stone. “Yes they’re female, but they both make me laugh until I cry.” She’s a sucker for: Guys who are good with kids. Biggest accomplishment: Moved to Australia by herself. Pets: A cat, Jake. "Not in a creepy way, but he's the love of my life." She's looking for: "A guy who sees me and only me." My friends are: "My support squad." Food or drink weakness: Any dark beer. Last movie she saw: Paranormal Activity. Strange fact: Hanna attended a police academy in Dallas briefly before moving to Australia. Hero: "It takes a lot to be a hero, but my dad is close." If she competed in an Olympic event, it would be: Wakeboarding. "Is that an Olympic event?" Nickname: Sweet Pea, Bambetta Marie, Hanny.

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Odie Blakely

24, sales assistant, BancorpSouth Nadia Cavner Group

When he’s not helping make clients happy for one of Springfield’s most successful financial advisors, Odie Blakely is hanging with friends and generally being an all-around easygoing guy. And don’t worry, ladies; a relationship with Odie (and, just to pre-empt any Garfield jokes, that is his real name—like his father and grandfather before him) is bound to be less up-and-down than the stock market. In fact, when pressed, Odie admits that when selecting a stock, er, girl, he’s  just looking for a “ton of fun.” We’re buying.

Get to Know Odie

Dream vacation: World Cup game, Brazil vs. Spain. Secret talent: Juggling. “I’m pretty sure I could juggle three clubs on a unicycle.” Will you juggle stuff at the party?: “The clubs are at my parents’ house.” Nobody knows that he: Likes to listen to the RENT sound track. Food weakness: Ben & Jerry’s Half-Baked Ice Cream. Has a little celebrity crush on: Zooey Deschanel. Hero: Jackie Robinson. If he competed in an Olympic event, it would be: Nothing athletic. “Curling.” He is so over: The word "epic." A total romantic deal-breaker is: "Just the girl that's constantly calling, texting, 'what are you doing, can we hang out'... His weekend hangout: Watching football. Most embarrassing song on his iPod: "I'll Cover You," from RENT. Last movie he saw: The Soloist. Last book he read: No One Eats Alone. Biggest accomplishment: Getting a job and keeping it in these tough times. He's a sucker for: Girls with dark hair.

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