Baylee Simpson Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Baylee Simpson is a dancer, the current Miss Bluebird, and (as you may have guessed) another

Yankees fan. Just like before, as a way of "keeping your friends close and your enemies closer" since the Sox just finished up a series in the Bronx ,I thought it would be fun to have Baylee visit with us to discuss those topics, the Red Sox, and a few more. I'm glad she agreed. I’m sure you will be too!

So, let’s see what happens when Baylee Simpson visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate being crowned Miss Bluebird?
Following the pageant I went out to dinner with my mom, sister, and boyfriend. I love celebrating with them since they’re a huge part of my success and having my family there to support me means the absolute world to me. They drive miles to watch me compete and are always cheering me on regardless of the outcome. I can always count on them to give me honest feedback so that I can continue to better myself both on and off the stage.

You’ve finished in the top five at the last two Miss New York competitions. How will those

experiences help you at the next Miss New York pageant?

I am immensely grateful to have placed in the top five for two consecutive years at the Miss New York competition. Every time I

interview with the judges at the State level and walk on the Miss New York stage I learn a lot about myself. After each competition I take time to reflect on how I prepared for the competition, determine what I could’ve done better, and brainstorm ways that I can better myself for the upcoming year. I think the most important thing to know is that you’re only competing with yourself and that you must accept what you cannot change. In that way, you never really lose and you’ll continue to grow and gain skills that will benefit you in other areas of your life.

How did you select your platform, “Arts Education: Graduating to New Heights”? 

After graduating at the top of my class from an “at-risk” high school, I realized it was my passion and dedication to the arts that drove me to succeed beyond my peers. I was lucky enough to have my dance classes sponsored by my dance teacher outside of my academic curriculum, however most families cannot afford the additional expense. I strongly believe that the arts are an integral component of a well-rounded education. The arts reach students who might otherwise slip through the cracks, the students who have different learning styles. Including the arts into education allows for every child to have an equal opportunity at success. As a titleholder within the Miss America Organization, I hope my legacy is encouraging students to pursue their dreams while making an impact on student success rates in struggling schools.

What is your favorite part about performing your talent, ballet en pointe, on stage?

I get such an adrenaline rush when I perform my talent, it’s my favorite phase of the competition. I absolutely love my Esmeralda solo variation; it’s classical, energetic, and sassy. The solo is based on the novel Notre Dame de Paris, and Esmeralda is a heroic, French dancer who bursts into the town square to defend Quasimodo from being picked on by the townspeople. It’s an exhilarating dance that shows my passion for the arts and entertainment.

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Bluebird?

To become Miss New York 2018, of course! Haha! I’d really like to lobby down in DC for Arts in Education Week and Arts Advocacy Day during my year of service. I co-developed an educational outreach program at SUNY, The College at Brockport that provided live performance and student participation in the inner city school districts of Rochester; I want to share these experiences and the impact it had on the kids with our representatives to keep funding for the arts a priority on the national level.

Last summer you participated in a Wish Jump, raising money for Make A Wish through skydiving. What was that experience like?

If you can’t tell, I live for a good adrenaline rush! It was absolutely amazing and I was able to do it with my best friend which it that much better. The experience of free-falling out of the plane was the craziest sensation, but the best part was raising over $40,000 for Make-A-Wish Northeastern New York. The money raised stays local, so children and teens of the Capital Region who have life threatening medical conditions are granted wishes. Wish kids and teens face fear and uncertainty each day as they go through treatments, medical appointments, and hospital stays. Facing my fears for an afternoon was nothing compared to what they go through!

As a Yankees fan, who is your favorite current Red Sox player?

Ha! Do I have to answer that?! I have to give it up to Chris Sale. He’s pretty scary on the mound. I always feel like it’s an intense game when he’s pitching.

What was your favorite Aaron Judge memory?

Definitely his homerun in the AL Wild Card Game! We all actually

went wild. It turned the game around and launched us right into the postseason!

Did the Yankees do enough last offseason to overtake the Red Sox and win the division in

2018?

Well no, but it’s been said that last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year. I don’t believe it was an expectation to win the division or even make it to the World Series, but it happened because they’re the Bronx Bombers baby whoop whoop! Ha!

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Can't wait to see how it ends up this year!

As always, I want to thank Baylee for doing this interview. She did a fantastic job, especially with the Red Sox questions. I also want to thank her for sending along the pictures to go along with the interview. She did a great job picking out the perfect additions.

As Baylee continues her time as Miss Bluebird, I encourage you to follow her on the official Miss Bluebird Facebook page. 

I also want to wish Baylee luck when she competes for the Miss New York Crown! She makes three visitors to Section 36 who will compete for that crown. It would be so much fun to have one of them bring the title home!

Thanks again Baylee, and good luck!