Danielle Morse Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Danielle Morse is passionate about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a firefighter, and the current Miss Addison County. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Danielle Morse visits Section 36!

What made you want to participate in the Miss VT preliminary program as Miss Addison County?

When I was a freshman in high school I was in the hospital for over a month due to complications after an appendectomy. After that I was selected to be the 2014 Children's Hospital Champion for Vermont. With this new title I went around to different fundraisers, events and trips for the hospital where I met Jeanelle Achee, Miss Vermont 2013, the future Miss Vermont 2015, Alayna Westcom, and Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsez (Dixon). I thought they were the absolute coolest, and felt so lucky to meet them as my mom and I had watched Miss America together. I knew that I wanted to be Miss Vermont some day, because I wanted to make an impact on younger generations like they did to me. When the Miss Vermont organization came out with their preliminary program this year, I knew I had to jump on board right away. I have lived in Addison County my entire life, and have been apart of many organizations within, I have also experienced a tremendous amount of support from my community, so there was no other title I would rather represent. 

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Addison County?

Although I had already raised over $600 with my can drive for

the UVM Children's Hospital from March to July, (Which is when I got my title as Miss Addison County) my goal now as Miss Addison County is to raise over $1000. I knew that during this pandemic I wanted to make an impact, but I did not want to ask people directly for any money since I knew everyone was going through a hard time. I had thought of the idea of the can drive because I was able to go around picking up bags of returnables that people had collecting when they did not have the time to return them themselves, and I found it to be almost a relief for them because I got the bags out of their hair. 

 

What have you learned about yourself from past competitions that will help you whenever you compete for Miss Vermont?

From competing in Miss Vermont 2019 I learned simply that I was able to do so. I had always dreamed of competing in the Miss Vermont pageant growing up but did not think I had what it took. Like any challenge I put myself up to, I quickly became determined, and at this point I had less than four months to get ready for my first competition. I was so proud of myself that I simply got up on that stage and preformed with the best of my ability, excited for the years of competing to come. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals”?

My freshman year of high school I had an appendectomy at a

smaller hospital near my town, after a week of complications they had made the decision to send me to the University of Vermonts Children's Hospital in the middle of the night. I remember being wheeled through the hallway and seeing the murals that were painted cheerfully for all the patients, right away I felt more comfortable and that I was at the place that was right for me. During my month there, I had met some amazing people, the nurses, the child life specialist, the volunteers. etc. A little while later I was surprised with the opportunity to be the 2014 Children's Miracle Network Hospital Champion for Vermont, along with a young heroes award from the Vermont National Guard. I was able to attend fundraisers, events, and even a trip to Washington D.C to meet Michelle Obama and Disney World to meet John Schneider, Marie Osmond, Nick Cannon, the band Lady A (who sang me Happy Birthday for my 16th birthday!!) and Miss America 2015! Along with all this excitement and amazing opportunities that I am forever grateful for, I also realized that I wanted to be a nurse. Just like those that saved me and made me feel so comfortable in the hospital, and now I can proudly say that I am a senior in Nursing School. I love having the opportunity to give back to Children Miracle Network Hospitals especially UVM's, and selecting this as my social impact initiative seemed perfect. 

You currently work as a firefighter. What got you interested in that field?

It all started in 8th grade when I became suddenly interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter through my two older cousins interests. They had both been cadets (junior firefighters) for two towns near me and they both seemed to love it. We had an opportunity in Middle School to do an independent study, and I chose to do mine on Volunteer Firefighting. I was only 13 at the time, and in the town I lived in you had to be at least 15, so I had two long years to wait until I could join. The next meeting they held after my 15th birthday I dragged my mom to a meeting and quickly signed up. After that I was able to go to fire calls, and trainings, attend a cadet academy, and go to county regional fire schools. I was hooked, and 6 years later I am still doing what I love with hours of experience, scholarships, a Fire 1 certification, and even an Addison County Junior Firefighter award under my belt. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I have never been big on going to the gym, I much prefer doing home workouts, or utilizing Vermonts beauty and

acreage to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Im lucky to live in an area where I can go swimming in our lakes and rivers, hiking on our trails around town or up mountains with beautiful views . In high school I was a year around athlete with being a field hockey goalie, cheerleader, and playing lacrosse, and after graduating I have had to find other ways to workout by myself. 

If you could be a Disney Character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

I quickly became fascinated with Elsa after watching Frozen in theaters back in 2013. I have grown up loving the snow, and my three sisters. I love that she represented being an independent woman, brave, and of course being a snow queen. I think it would be so much fun being her for a week and being able to have powers that controlled the winter weather. 

If you had an extra ticket to a Red Sox game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my oldest sister, Heather! Whenever she wins tickets to a concert or event she always asks me to go with her, and we have had some really fun times together, so this would be an opportunity to give back to her. She also went to college down in Boston, so she would be able to navigate us around the city with much less stress. 

Is there a feature or activity at Fenway that you’d especially like to experience?

I would love to be at Fenway for Vermont Day! I think it is so

cool that Fenway has a day special for each state in New England and I would love to be there to represent a fan from the Green Mountain State. 

—-

Vermont Day would be so much fun!

As always, I want to thank Danielle for visiting with us, and for sending along the wonderful pictures to go with the interview.

As Danielle continues her time as Miss Addison County, I encourage you to check out her Instagram account. It’s a great way to keep track of everything she has going on!

I also definitely want to wish her the best of luck whenever she competes for the Miss Vermont title. It would be wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Danielle, and good luck!