Danielle Cormier Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Danielle Cormier is passionate about mental health, a talented twirler, and the current Miss Tri-Valley. I was flattered that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.
 
So, let's see what happens when Danielle Cormier visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Tri-Valley crown?

I have the most supportive friends who helped me celebrate with a fun dinner after winning the Tri-Valley crown. A lot of people don't know this, but because I moved to Oregon when I was 18, I don't have any family around. My friends are a huge part of my support system and I couldn't do it without them. They are even great enough to join me and my parents (who are flying in) in Seaside while I compete for Miss Oregon, despite there being a cap on attendee's due to social distancing.

What part of the upcoming Miss Oregon competition are you most nervous about? 

To a lot of people's surprise, I always say talent. I have been competitively twirling since I was 3 years old and have always had a passion for it- but with that being said, there is also a lot of pressure that comes along with a history like mine. To be extremely candid, I have never grown out of performance anxiety. This year, however, my song is something so inspiring to me. It's Sia's Unstoppable (covered by Brynn Cartelli). I listen to the song any time I feel nervous or like I need some motivation. The lyrics make me feel powerful when I perform and that really helps me turn my nerves into energy.

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

Unfortunately, if I do not win the title of Miss Oregon, my contract will be over the day after crowning- so I have one month to fit in as many appearances as I can. My first goal is, of course, spreading more awareness about mental illness. There is still a lot of bias in the healthcare system and it is time we start thinking more inclusively about our mental health care system. Therapy works, and everyone deserves access. The next goal is to become the best version of myself, because it is no secret that my dream is to be Miss Oregon. I have been working hard on myself in the last year- doing a lot of introspective time and going to therapy. I am not the same person as last year, or even just a few months ago. I am healthy and confident, and ready to take the job as Miss Oregon.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Healthy Crowns Matter”?

Mental health, specifically equitable mental health care, is something I find extremely important- especially after the last year. I was diagnosed with anxiety (GAD and Social Anxiety) when I was extremely young and when I got to college I was diagnosed with depression. Both made it hard to complete basic functions- everything felt like a chore: Brushing teeth, cleaning my room, making dinner, etc. The hardest part of it, and what has always been the hardest part, is the lonliness. The more I can speak about my experiences and the more I can speak up about the importance of therapy, the less lonely others will feel and the more likely they are to get help. But when I talk about therapy I also have to keep in mind those who simply cannot afford it. The cost of help is outrageous and the way I can take action is taking it to our legislators. Those who are unemployed, uninsured, and racially marginalized groups are put in a position where they are more likely to be challenged with a mental illness, yet less likely to be able to afford help. Healthy Crowns Matter is all about treating every brain like a crown, because they are very similar- beautiful, unique, and fragile. I don't just want awareness, I want acceptance and I want accessibility- for everyone.

As a talented twirler, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?

The rush! Once the nerves melt away, I love the feeling of performing. This Christmas, while I was at home, I watched some old home-videos and found a lot of twirling performances of mine. Let me say, I was a HAM! My dream growing up, even in those old home-video moments, was to perform for a D1 college during halftime, and I was lucky enough to fulfill that dream. Miss America gives me a chance to perform again and I love every second of it- even when it makes me nervous.

What is your personal fitness routine?

My social anxiety peaks when I go to the gym, so I have a bad habit of avoiding it. I fought this by coming up with better ways to work out at home, so I feel more comfortable while doing more core, leg, and arm workouts. For the other things, I can't usually avoid the gym. When it's rainy I get my cardio in by getting on the elliptical or the treadmill. The greatest part of my talent is that it has been my source of exercise for 20 years, and when in doubt I do a LOT of talent practice. It's definitely a perk!

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

I love this question, but it's so hard to answer! I would have to say Sadness from Inside Out. I know that sounds so depressing- but sadness is the most empathetic character in all of Disney. She not only thinks about Riley's feelings but takes them into consideration. One of the traits I take the most pride in is my empathy, and most days I feel so similar to Sadness. She would be Miss America in my mind- she's caring, thoughtful, and puts others above herself. Plus, it's my favorite movie!

As a longtime Red Sox fan, who is your favorite all-time Sox player? Why?

Bogey. He's a tenured player for good reason, leading the league in multiple offensive categories, and a natural leader. Added bonus is that he's bilingual! He's great on and off the field.

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

A BASEBALL GAME IN PORTLAND! I know that's not an activity at a baseball game, but it's a game I would love to experience. The Portland Diamond project is a movement to bring major league baseball to Portland that I follow closely. There are so many economical perks to building a stadium in PDX, and it would be so fun to have another local team to cheer for. I am optimistic that we will be able to make it happen- and when it does you can definitely catch me at opening day!

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I'd say a team in Portland would make a lot of sense! 

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

I encourage you to follow Danielle 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 when she competes for the Miss Oregon title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Danielle, and good luck!

A Summertime Sale!

The Section 36 Store is having another sale! What a great opportunity to get the gear you've been seeing everyone else wear at a lower price! But, like any great thing, this is only available for a short time. In fact, only through Monday! So hurry over.

Don't miss this opportunity! 

So, head over right now and select something that you like. But, don't delay. The sale only runs through Monday! Only a few days before prices go back to their regular levels.

Click Here Now!

And, as always, when you do get an item, you can send me a picture wearing it for me to share with the world! The blog, Facebook, and even Instagram! 

Like the amazing singer Sabrina did!

Tank Tops like this are on sale!

Or like the talented photographer Kelsey did!

Tees like this are on sale!

Or like another wonderful singer, Lyssa, did!

Tanks like this are on sale!

Or like Lauren did!

Tanks like this are on sale!

Like Bridget did! (With some help from K. Garcia Productions)

Sweatshirts like this are on sale!

Or, like travel agent Bernadette did to show off how amazing this tank top looks on her in Fiji.

Tanks like this are on sale!

Or Phil did

Tanks like this are on sale!

Or Holly did with her cozy new hoodie.

Hoodies like this are on sale!

Or Nicolette did with her great t-shirt!

T-shirts like this are on sale!

Or like Allison did!

T-shirts like this are on sale!

Or, like Sierra did!

T-shirts like this are on sale!

But, first you need to buy something you like. There's a lot to choose from. There are even a couple newer designs!

What will you get?

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 56 (496-504)

I'm sure that you all remember that I finally completed my 1975 Topps set.

Now that it's done I thought it would be fun to look through the set and talk about it. Going page by page seemed like a good way to go about it. Hopefully you find it interesting to read what I have to say.

How about we continue with page 56?

Red Sox Cards on the Page  

0. Not this time. Even worse? There's a Yankee.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool 

Cards of young Hall of Famers are cool. While I don't know if Ryan is "young" in 1975 (he was 28 years old in his ninth major league season) he would go on to play another 18 seasons. I always thought the 1975 set was a great generational connector set. You had players from the 50s and 60s like Hank Aaron in the set, and you also had cards of players like Rice and Yount and Brett who would be stars into the 90s. Ryan pretty much does that all on his own.

My favorite card on the page 

I love the pose from Bourque. He's not replicating a swing follow though, or a throw follow through. Nope. He's a first baseman. So, he's replicating making the stretch and catch for a putout. Classic. But, even with that...how can I go against the Ryan here? Especially since I just called it a set defining card.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Arcadia Ewell Visits Section 36!

Photo by Steve Smith Photography

Section 36 has another visitor! Arcadia Ewell is passionate about the learning to love, a talented author, and the current Miss Worcester 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 Arcadia Ewell visits Section 36! 

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Worcester County crown?
The first thing I did was go out to a celebratory dinner with my mother. Afterwards it was pretty much straight to work though. The next few days included a meeting with my new director, a visit to the Miss Middlesex competition, the establishment of my new titleholder account (@missworcesterco) and the beginning of conversations with non-profits in Worcester County to start new partnerships. It definitely was a very busy few days after crowning!

After taking a break from competing, what made you decide to compete for the Miss Worcester County crown? 

I've known since I was a little girl that I wanted the opportunity to serve my state and the Miss America organization. After I graduated from undergrad though, it was important for me to focus on my career and preparing to apply for graduate school. That break was an important time for me to learn about MAO from a volunteers perspective and really think critically about the type of titleholder that I wanted to be. So, after taking three years off to continue developing my network and social impact initiative, and after successfully settling into my Ph.D. program, it was the perfect time to return to MAO for one last year of service before I age out.

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

I have lots of goals I'd like to accomplish! I certainly have a lot of plans with my social impact initiative and plans for connecting with my community. One big goal is to grow my local organization though. The Miss Worcester County org has really welcomed me into the family and I truly believe part of the job description of a titleholder is to build up the program that has given you so much. I hope to start building a network and community in Worcester so that the next Miss Worcester County has a wealth of opportunity and resources at her disposal.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Learning to Love”?
I like to say my social impact initiative really chose me. When I

was fourteen, I was asked out on a date by one of my classmates and I politely declined. Afterwards, he started disruptively giving me attention in class, following me throughout the hallways in class, and even followed me to my bus each day. He also was harassing my friends and I online. At the time I didn't think much of the behavior and brushed it off as a normal reaction to having hurt feelings. Luckily the behavior stopped after my mom contacted the school counselor, but as I started studying psychology as an adult I realized how problematic it was that at the time I didn't think there was anything wrong with his actions. In fact, that behavior was incredibly unhealthy and fits the definition of stalking, a form of dating violence.

I firmly believe that no one should be accepting unhealthy and abusive behavior because they haven't been properly educated to identify those warning signs and that became the motivation behind starting Learning to Love. Now, I try to prevent dating violence before it starts by providing children, teens, and adults with evidence-based educational information on healthy relationships, forms of abuse, ways to seek help, and so much more. Over quarantine, the Learning to Love website, instagram, and twitter were all launched and I'm thrilled to continue to grow them over the next year as Miss Worcester County. 

You’re the author of the book “Katie Kitty Wants a Hug”. What was the experience like to bring that to fruition?

Photo by Steve Smith Photography

I am so unbelievably proud of this book. I started working with my social impact initiative around six years ago and I often faced the critique that dating violence can't be talked about with children. As a developmental psychologist (in training), I couldn't disagree more! Kids are capable of understanding LOTS of intense topics if we as adults scaffold information down in a developmentally appropriate way. So, I set about creating this book as a tool in my kit when working with my social impact initiative.

"Katie Kitty Wants a Hug" tells the story of a little kitten out for a walk with her mom. She sees lots of fun things she wants to go and do but her mother constantly reminds her that she always needs to ask permission before playing with others or using their things. At the end of the book, Katie Kitty asks her mother for a hug before saying goodnight, demonstrating that she has learned an important lesson about bodily autonomy and consent.

Having this book has been very special. On my instagram I like to track Katie Kitty's travels. Katie Kitty has even made it all the way to China during some of my work as an ESL teacher.

You also wrote the one act play “Breathe”. What can you tell me about it?
"Breathe" is something very close to my heart. As a teen, I lost one of my friends to suicide, unfortunately. This was particularly challenging both because of that specific loss and also because it was my first real experience with suicide. I spent a while struggling through grief and anger, and as a writer I let those feelings out in the best way I knew how - through the creation of a one-act play. I had the honor of actually directing the play for a performance in which all proceeds were donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "Breathe" went on to win numerous awards from the International Thespian Festival, make headlines from multiple news channels, and be performed internationally by multiple different theatre programs. I am always amazed to see the impact the show has gone on to have.

Photo by Steve Smith Photography

At Miss Massachusetts I will actually be performing a monologue from the show for my talent. I've been working hard to really capture the grieving process within 90 seconds and am excited to get the chance to highlight my talents as both an author and an actress.

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?
Belle is probably the Disney character I relate to most! I'm a total bookworm myself and I love how independent and strong she is.

If you had an extra ticket to a WooSox game, who would you take with you? Why?
My best friend unfortunately lives in Maryland so we don't get to see each other too much but she's a HUGE baseball fan so a WooSox game would be the perfect reason to schedule a visit!

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?
My director and I recently talked about potentially trying to sing the national anthem at a baseball game so that would definitely be something super cool to get to do! More simply though, I'm convinced that hot dogs just taste better at the ballpark. I haven't been able to get to a baseball since quarantine started so I'm definitely looking forward to my next chance to stock up on hot dogs and popcorn to munch on while I cheer on my team. 

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That would definitely be a great opportunity!

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

As Arcadia continues her time as Miss Worcester County, I encourage you to follow her on her Facebook and Instagram accounts. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on! 

I also absolutely want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss Massachusetts title. It would be wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Arcadia, and good luck!

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 55 (487-495)

 I'm sure that you all remember that I finally completed my 1975 Topps set.

Now that it's done I thought it would be fun to look through the set and talk about it. Going page by page seemed like a good way to go about it. Hopefully you find it interesting to read what I have to say.

How about we continue with page 55?

Red Sox Cards on the Page  

1. Thank goodness for Cecil Cooper.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool 

Team cards are cool. Players from the 1975 World Series are cool. (Although, Cooper didn't exactly excel in that series.)

My favorite card on the page 

A couple actual action shots on this page. But, still have to go with the Cooper. Love that Sox uniform.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Madison Morrow Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Madison Morrow is passionate about the arts, a talented painter, and the current Miss Moraine State. 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 Madison Morrow visits Section 36! 

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Moraine State crown?

I called my mom! She has been one of my biggest supporters and has been with me every step of the way for all of my endeavors.

What part of the upcoming Miss Pennsylvania competition are you most nervous about?

I would have to say the unfamiliarity of it. I have never been able to compete in a state competition before, so I’m doing my best to prepare but don’t fully know what to expect.

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

With the shutdown from the pandemic coming to a close, people are more likely to get out of their houses and want to be in person for events. However, this might mean that arts institutions will relax their digital content because their audiences are “coming back.” I hope to guide them on how to keep up their digital content for those who are not able to physically come to their spaces. If I can help five organizations implement a digital accessibility plan during my time as Miss Moraine State, then I would consider my time a success.

How did you select your social impact initiative “Arts For All”?

In the 1970’s, an art historian by the name of Nancy Hanks became the chairwoman for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). To have a woman in such a high position at the time was quite a feat already, but her ability to raise funds, awareness, and appreciation for the arts was the true legacy she left behind. She had an “arts for all Americans” vision for the NEA, and that is where the inspiration for my platform title came from. “Arts For All” is exactly what it sounds like- art should be one of the most accessible things for people to enjoy, whether as an audience member or as an artist. However, this can only happen if there is funding for the organizations that create and showcase art.

As a speed painter, how do you select the subject for your competition painting?

I try to select something that is not too complex, but that is still detailed enough to be understood. Faces of famous artists or arts advocates are usually what I paint, but I’ve been able to do small landscapes or still lifes.

You’ve been able to do quite a bit of traveling. Is there a favorite place you’ve visited?

That’s such a hard question! Everywhere I have gone has had

its own thing that makes them especially unique, but if I had to pick, I would say Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Denver, Colorado. I went hiking there a few years ago, right when the snow was melting, and have never seen anything more beautiful. The lakes, trees, and mountains were out of a fairytale.

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

I would love to be Kidagakash (“Kida”) from the movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire. She is the princess of Atlantis and does everything she can to save her community and people from dying out. She’s headstrong and independent, and I connected with her instantly!

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

I would take my partner, Christopher. He has been a baseball fan his entire life and played when he was younger. MLB season is a very big deal to him, so being able to see the Pirates in person would make his day!

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

The Pierogi race, of course! Who doesn’t want to see a bunch of pierogis racing against each

other?

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I can confirm that watching the pierogi race is a fun time!

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

As Madison continues her time as Miss Moraine State, I encourage you to follow her on her title and personal Instagram accounts. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on! 

I also absolutely want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss Pennsylvania title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Madison, and good luck!