Rylee Field Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! This time Miss Vermont, Rylee Field, was nice enough to visit with us and answer some questions about the Red Sox and her time as Miss Vermont. After reading her blog entry about her most recent trip to Fenway, I was sure she’d be the perfect person to ask for a visit. Thankfully she agreed. So, let’s see what happens when Rylee Field visits Section 36!

Rylee and Governor Shumlin
Submitted by Rylee

What do you remember about your first trip to Fenway Park?

Actually the first time I went to Fenway was for a park tour. It was very touristy, but it was also filled with all sorts of historical facts and tidbits. That’s always one of my favorite things about tours like that - I love to hear the history!

If you can’t sit in Section 36, where do you (or where would you) like to sit while watching the Sox?

Well, when I last visited Fenway - for Vermont Day - I sat in the grandstands behind home plate, Section 23. Those seats were amazing! But of course, now I definitely have to visit Section 36.

You’ve been able to throw out the first pitch at a couple ballgames since being crowned Miss Vermont. How did you prepare for those pitches?

The first pitch I threw out was for our local NECBL team, the Vermont Mountaineers. Right in my hometown of Montpelier. So I actually practiced with my dad in my parent’s backyard for about 15 minutes before the game. That ended up being a great pitch - and such a fun game! The next pitch I threw was at Lake Monsters game in Burlington. And, because it was Princess and Superheroes night at the ballpark there were actually eight first pitches. I was the third, and thankfully the catcher was warmed up, because that pitch was not as perfect as the first.

Which Red Sox player, past or present, would you most like to have dinner with?

Dustin Pedroia. You know, over the last few years he’s be nominated for the Heart and Hustle Award - he actually just received the 2016 nomination too. I think this speaks so greatly to his character and who he is as an athlete.

Other than the chance to win, what are you most looking forward to about the Miss America competition?

Hanging out with all of my Miss America sisters! We just met in D.C. for Miss America Orientation, and I already can’t wait to see them again.

You’ve competed in several state pageants. What lessons from those experiences can you bring to Miss America in September?

I think the most important thing to understand whenever you compete is that you can only do your best, and your best is always going to be enough. So it’s not worth it to compare yourself to other contestants, or compare your dress to another dress, or so on. The only thing you can control is your ability to leave it all on stage, and that’s what’s important.

How did you celebrate being crowned Miss Vermont?

Mostly by hitting the ground running and embracing every moment that this new title has given me. But I also had Cheez Itz at about 1 AM the night I was crowned, and oh my goodness, those were good.

Section 36!
Submitted by Rylee

What do we all need to know or do in order to break down the barriers and stigmas surrounding mental health?

The most valuable thing I can tell people about mental health is that you have to talk about it. One of the principle reasons that there are so many negative perceptions surrounding what it means to live with mental health issues is that people simply don’t understand what that means. A large part of my platform is speaking to individuals that don’t suffer from mental illness, and helping them understand how to embrace those that afflicted, and how to have frank discussions about what healthy mental health looks like.

How do you see the 2016 Red Sox season finishing?

As of last night, I think they’re in a great place, coming out on top of the AL East. However, wherever they finish this year I think we are still seeing some amazing players coming out of this season. You know, building brand around players like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. is part of what keeps such a strong Red Sox fan base. These are players we want to watch - even with the highs and lows of a season. 

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Have to love Rylee’s attitude towards the Sox this season and beyond!

I definitely want to thank Rylee for taking the time to visit with us. I know she’s extremely busy with her new duties as Miss Vermont, especially as the Miss America competition grown closer. I’m grateful that she was able to squeeze in a visit. I’m also glad she was willing to send along some pictures from her trip to Fenway. They make the interview all the more interesting.

If you want to hear more from Rylee, I highly recommend checking out her blog. You can also follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and just about everywhere else on social media. 

And, of course, I'd like to wish Rylee good luck at Miss America in September! I know she’ll do a great job.

Thanks again Rylee!