Lacee Freeman Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Lacee Freeman is passionate about equal sports access, a neurobiology major, and the current Miss Tippecanoe. I was so flattered that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Lacee Freeman visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Tippecanoe crown?

Thankfully, both of my parents were able to come watch me compete so I was able to go out to dinner with them, as well as many of the other contestants, directors, and local titleholders that were there. Once I got back to Purdue, I stayed up most of the night chatting with my friends and family who saw the announcement!

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

I have a few goals in mind! I’d like to further expand my platform and outreach within the Tippecanoe community. I’d also like to learn more about the Tippecanoe community and how I can be a proper representative and role model. I’d like to utilize my platform to represent Purdue at university events and events for the general public to share my love for my school! Overall, I aim to make a positive impact on those around me and make Tippecanoe proud when I represent at the state competition. 

What is something Elizabeth Hallal is doing as Miss Indiana that you would want to emulate?

Elizabeth does an amazing job of making everyone feel so welcome. She is also always her authentic self, and isn’t afraid to share the goofy or weird side of her. She actually got ready in the same room as all of us that were competing at Miss Tippecanoe even though she was given her own room to get ready in. It’s truly hard to find someone with such a large platform that is so down to Earth, so I would love to continue to emulate those things through my current title and potentially as the next Miss Indiana. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Play Like a Girl”?

I’ve played sports my entire life, and I owe much of the life lessons, healthy habits I’ve formed, and my overall success to sports. So because of that, I wanted to give back to the sports that helped shape me. I quickly realized that many youth sports programs, especially girl’s sports, are extremely underfunded. Along with this, realizing this is not only an issue at the level of youth sports but becomes an issue later on where even at the college and professional level, women are not treated equally or given equitable resources. I’ve dealt with the social stigmas, double standards, and societal pressures related to being a woman in sports, so breaking these stereotypes and raising awareness for these issues in youth sports and female athletics became something I am very passionate about. 

You are currently studying Neurobiology and Physiology at Purdue. Where do you see those fields taking you?

With this degree, I see myself becoming a healthcare provider. Whether this is to become a physician assistant or a medical doctor, I’m not quite sure yet. There are aspects of both jobs that I align with so knowing me I will most likely end up applying for both, and seeing what happens! I’ve always wanted to go into the sports medicine field, and ideally would love to work with college or professional teams. However, I also love pediatrics so working in a sports medicine clinic with youth athletes would also be fulfilling! Recently I’ve piqued an interest in sports neurology and the studies being conducted regarding concussions and spinal cord injuries. Cheerleading, a sport I’ve done since I was five years old,  is actually the number one sport for women to get concussions, so seeing these effects and how current researchers are looking for ways to minimize them by bettering concussion prevention and protocols has brought my attention to this field. 

You’re also a member of the Purdue University Spirit Squad. What is that experience like?

It is so amazing! I am on the all girl team, and it has become my second family. The opportunity to represent Purdue not only in Ross-Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena but also out in the community is truly a blessing. My favorite part is definitely seeing all of the kids, and the way their faces light up seeing the cheerleaders. I love the joy that we’re able to bring others, and the ability to add to the gameday atmosphere while highlighting our skills. There is truly nothing like a game day at Purdue! Sometimes it is hard to find a school that treats their cheerleaders as athletes, but Purdue does a very good job of making sure we are treated as such. We are fortunate to be given a wide range of resources not only in terms of athletics but also in terms of professional development and networking. We also just recently made our return to UCA College Nationals, which was very fun and something I always dreamed about being able to experience. I am excited to see the trajectory of our program and the growth we’ll experience under our great coaching staff and the support of Purdue!

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

I would choose Rapunzel! Beyond the blond hair, I think that she and I share a lot of the same qualities and she has always been one of my favorite princesses. I also love the idea of having a little chameleon friend! 

If you had an extra ticket to see a baseball game between the Fort Wayne TinCaps and the South Bend Cubs, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my nephew, Brayden! He is a huge sports fan and probably knows way more about baseball than I do despite him being only 9. I just know he would have a great time and he always loves concession stand snacks. He is a major goofball, and I’m very blessed I get to be a part of his life and watch him grow up! 

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

I’ve always wanted to throw a first pitch! Especially as a cheerleader, doing a back tuck (or backflip as many say) before the pitch would just be so fun. I’m hoping to possibly get the chance through the local baseball team, Lafayette Aviators, or through Purdue baseball. I would say other than that, any chance to get on the jumbotron with my dance would also be a fun experience!

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Now, that's a first pitch I'd want to see! 

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

I also want to wish her luck when she competes for Miss Indiana! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Lacee during her journey as Miss Tippecanoe. You should be sure to check out her Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Lacee, and good luck!

Go Red! 2020 Topps Opening Day Target Red Foil Michael Chavis

February is American Heart Month. As a nod to the Go Red for Women activities going on this month to help raise awareness, I thought I'd contribute several "red" themed posts sprinkled throughout the month. Here's the next one.

Let's talk about this card...

When I talked about the Andrew Benintendi card from this set earlier this month, I mentioned that I never quite knew what happened to Benintendi. To go from such a top prospect to a midling player, I never quite saw what went wrong. That goes double for Chavis. There was so much promise, and it just...didn't come together. In both cases, it seemed the Sox knew something I didn't, and they were right in both cases. Which is too bad, since they were both fun to watch.

The card itself is, again, fun. The red foil card still works better on Red Sox cards, or obvious reasons. Although, the blue jerseys still don't work quite as well. The photo is again a nice image for the very narrow vertical space allowed on the 2020 Topps cards. I wish his hand wasn't cropped off behind him, but that's probably a little nit picky. Can't have everything I suppose.

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If you are able, I highly recommend you support the American Heart Association's efforts with a donation. You can find the link here.

Support the efforts to Go Red for Women!

Victoria Vespico Visits Section 36!

Matt Boyd Photography

Section 36 had another visitor! Victoria Vespico is passionate about sustainability, a published author, and the current Miss Lancaster County. I was honored that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Victoria Vespico visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Lancaster County crown?

The best part about being crowned Miss Lancaster County was getting to celebrate with my Miss America sisters (and real-life best friends). Miss Lancaster 2022 (Now Miss Central PA), Miranda Moore, got to crown me. She and the newest Miss Red Rose City, AmandaGrace Krier are my best friends in the world. We celebrated how amazing it was to share such an awesome story and sisterhood. We also facetimed the fourth member of our little group, Shannon Cattie, Miss Greater Juniata Valley.

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

As Miss Lancaster County, my main goal is to serve my community and promote sustainability throughout the commonwealth. I have some big goals, but I want to show how sustainability and sustainable development are possible and achievable- especially starting out in small, local communities.

What did you learn about yourself while competing for Miss Lancaster County that will help you when you compete for Miss Pennsylvania?

I have been competing in the Miss America organization for ten years. With each local you gain more skills in leadership, public speaking, and confidence on stage. While I cannot pinpoint a single “new” thing I learned, I was able to broaden my network and meet new amazing women from all over Pennsylvania. Gaining new sisters in by far the best part of the local season.

How did you select your community service initiative, “Sustainability Starts with You”?

I have been a Girl Scout for 19 years. Within the Girl Scout Law, we promise to use our resources wisely and make the world a better place. These are two of the tenants of the Sustainable Development Goals laid our by the United Nations. In 2017, my local Girl Scout Council threatened to sell our beloved Camp Archbald (I know, it sounds like a Hallmark movie). A group of camp alumni came together to form a nonprofit called the Supporters of Camp Archbald. Our goal was to protect the property, increase property usage and camper numbers, and preserve a Girl Scout landmark for years to come. That activism and work is what really kickstarted my drive for sustainable development which lead me to advocate for and educate about sustainable lifestyles.

You host the Sisters in Sustainability podcast. What is that experience like?

Hosting and producing the Sisters In Sustainability Podcast has been an amazing experience. Since launching Sustainability Starts With You, my goal has been to show people that sustainability is more than just climate action. I have also aimed to highlight how the work of every titleholder impacts the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. All of this, paired with my love for producing and writing, the #SiSPod was born! It has been wonderful getting to share my social impact with people all over the country, helping me to further my mission. It’s also awesome getting to learn about other women’s service initiatives and applying the to the 17 SDGs for the world to see!

You’ve written a couple books. What can you tell me about your most recent, Bring a Bucket?

Matt Boyd

Bring A Bucket is my way of teaching kids how to take part in simple sustainable action. The act of picking up a piece of plastic or any type of litter not only helps with the beautification of our planet, but is could potentially save the life of a marine animal. This helps target SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 14 (Life Below Water). I know that children are our future. By educating them about sustainable action from a young age, they are more likely to embrace sustainable lifestyles in the future!

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

If I could be any Disney Character it would probably be Jessie from Toy Story! She is a tough girl with a heart of gold! Her courage is unwavering and she is incredibly loyal to her friends/family. Plus, her sidekick is Bullseye, the coolest horse in the whole Disney universe. As a farm girl myself and someone who grew up working with horses, Jessie is just the perfect fit!

If you had an extra ticket to a Lancaster Barnstormers baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

 My best friend and your Miss Red Rose City, AmandaGrace Krier! She is my partner in crime and the first person I call every day! I can’t imagine my life without her and she makes every single event even more fun! Her and I both love pro-sports. And, since she is also a Lancaster representative, there is no one else I could see myself at a game with!

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

I LOVE baseball games. The entire atmosphere displays such high energy and excitement. My favorite part of any game is a ballpark hotdog! But. I would really love to sing the national anthem at a Barnstormers game and use some of my time to advocate for sustainability while I was there!

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I definitely think she needs to get that feature at the Barnstormers! 

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

I also want to wish her luck when she competes for Miss Pennsylvania! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Victoria during her journey as Miss Lancaster County. You should be sure to check out her Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on. You should also be sure to check out her Sisters in Sustainability podcast to see all the valuable information shared there.

Thanks again Victoria, and good luck!

Go Red! 2021 Topps Fire Flame Alex Verdugo

February is American Heart Month. As a nod to the Go Red for Women activities going on this month to help raise awareness, I thought I'd contribute several "red" themed posts sprinkled throughout the month. Here's the next one.

Let's talk about this card...

I think we're all hoping for a little more from Verdugo this season. As the major leaguer the Sox got in return in the Mookie Betts trade, we all hoped he would be Mookie's replacement. Of course, a one-to-one replacement was unfair. But, maybe at least an all-star caliber player? Which, he's been pretty close to thus fast. He had an pff year last year, but the first two were definitely solid building blocks. As he enters his age 27 season, hopefully he can take that next jump in a solid lineup.

The card itself is really interesting. As Fire always does, there are several different designs showing up throughout the set. This one, with the green elements, makes the red foil cards look a little too christmasy for my liking. Otherwise it's a nicely cropped shot of Alex in his Boston Strong jerseys. Nothing much to complain about there.

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If you are able, I highly recommend you support the American Heart Association's efforts with a donation. You can find the link here.

Support the efforts to Go Red for Women!

Chandler Mordecai Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Chandler Mordecai is passionate about bringing awareness to domestic violence, a talented clogger, and the current Miss Hamilton. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Chandler Mordecai visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Hamilton Crown?

Winning Miss Hamilton 2023 is a core memory that I will always treasure! My first title in the Miss America Opportunity was Miss Hamilton, so returning to this title is something that is very special to me! In the tradition of the first time I earned this title, I celebrated with many FaceTime calls to my friends and family! I also celebrated with some delicious chips, queso, and salsa! 

What has been the biggest surprise about your time as Miss Hamilton?

The biggest surprise has been the number of people who have reached out in support of Victory over Domestic Violence. Domestic violence isn’t always an easy topic to discuss and I’ve been blown away by the community support I’ve received! I truly feel at home serving as Miss Hamilton and I am grateful for a community that welcomes me and supports my initiatives! 

What is something that Lindsay Fincher is doing as Miss Alabama that you would want to emulate?

Lindsay Fincher is an incredible representative of our state and is doing many wonderful and admirable things! I especially admire the work Lindsay is doing with her Social Initiative: Catalyst: Arts for All. Lindsay works in school systems to educate about the benefits of arts education and I also want to work more in schools with VoDV! I want to emulate Lindsay’s passion and dedication to her social initiative! 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Victory over Domestic Violence”?

In 2014, I began partnering with the Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force as a means to process my family's personal experience with domestic violence. Inspired by the work I was contributing to, I created a social impact initiative, Victory over Domestic Violence. 

My mission is to bring awareness to the violence, but also to the success stories of those who have overcome the violence. Victory over Domestic Violence focuses on advocating for survivor-centered policies, empowering victims of abuse, and educating the public. I wanted to share my story in hopes that it might inspire others to become involved in domestic violence advocacy. Creating Victory over Domestic Violence has allowed me to develop connections and partnerships and increase awareness and resources beyond Marion County and throughout the state of Alabama and the United States.

What is your favorite part about performing your talent on stage?

I love showcasing my energy and personality! Clogging is the perfect opportunity to do that! I perform a fast-paced, energetic routine that always leaves me breathless and smiling under the lights! 

You currently teach at the University of Florida while pursuing your doctorate. What are you enjoying most about that experience?

I love having the opportunity to teach undergraduates! Teaching is a passion of mine and being able to be a small part in many college students’ academic journeys is something I do not take lightly. I currently teach writing, literature, and digital rhetoric courses and it’s such a joy to form classroom communities from students across the country and from a wide range of backgrounds! 

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

I would love to be Princess Jasmine for a week! Aladdin has

always been my favorite Disney movie and I admire Jasmine’s independence and love for herself! It would also be nice to have a magic carpet to close the distance between Alabama and Florida! 

If you had an extra ticket to see the Birmingham Barons play the Rocket City Trash Pandas, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my mother! We have a very close relationship and are always looking for opportunities to make new memories! We are also huge fans of both the Birmingham Barons and the Rocket City Trash Pandas! Both teams have such iconic names and we would be thrilled to support the teams! 

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

I have always wanted to be featured on the Jumbotron, especially if it’s a dance battle! I think the stadium would love to see a few clogging moves on the screen! 

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OK. Now I desperately need to see a jumbotron clogging battle! 

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

I also want to wish her luck when she competes for Miss Alabama! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Chandler during her journey as Miss Hamilton. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on. You should also be sure to check out the Victory Over Domestic Violence website to see all the valuable information shared there.

Thanks again Chandler, and good luck!

Go Red! 2019 Tops Stadium Club Red Foil Carlton Fisk

February is American Heart Month. As a nod to the Go Red for Women activities going on this month to help raise awareness, I thought I'd contribute several "red" themed posts sprinkled throughout the month. Here's the next one.

Let's talk about this card...

When Fisk left Boston as a 33 year old catcher, I wonder how many people would have guessed he had more than half his career left in front of him. That division of time makes it all the more remarkable that the Red Sox have managed to reclaim him as one of their own. Especially since his home run is no longer the best World Series moment in the last sixty years.

The card itself is really nice. As always, the red foil works well on the Red Sox card. Even with the pullover jerseys, it gives off a classic elegant feel that I enjoy. The image, too, seems to invoke the feel of so much motion for what is basically a posed shot. I can't really say much about it, other than to say I'm glad the text does a great job hiding to let the image speak for itself. Well done.

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If you are able, I highly recommend you support the American Heart Association's efforts with a donation. You can find the link here.

Support the efforts to Go Red for Women!

Ashley Klement Visits Section 36!

Photo: Pedro Heshike

Section 36 had another visitor! Ashley Klement is passionate about self defense, a talented martial artist, and the current Miss Miami. 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 Ashley Klement visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Miami crown?

Right after winning Miss Miami, my family and friends took me out to celebrate a nice dinner at BJ's Brewhouse. They brought me there so we could celebrate with my favorite dessert of all time, a Cookie Pizookie! 

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

My specific goal as my time as Miss Miami would be to secure future partnerships for my corporation, Warrior Empowerment, Inc. I would love to work with YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Boys and Girls Club. Furthermore, through these partnerships with my corporation, I hope to gain them as future sponsors for the Miss Miami Scholarship Organization.

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

Nervous is not quite the word I would use to describe my feeling towards the Miss Florida competition this coming June. I am so excited and filled with anticipation to see the new and amazing changes that are being brought forward by the Miss America Organization. I've never competed in a fitness segment before at the state level, so I am super excited to see how it all comes together!

What can you tell me about “Warrior Empowerment: Yes WE Can”?

Prior to founding Warrior Empowerment, Inc. I had only exclusively taught self defense seminars to the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. As much as this is where I believed my true passions to be, I came to the shocking realization that I was leaving out the vast majority of the population by teaching only to one small demographic. Through this realization, I took the opportunity to expand the program. I took the leap and created Warrior Empowerment, Inc. I created my very own corporation that would lead through the purpose of providing self defense seminars for everybody. As a 12-year Girl Scout and Lifetime Member, I couldn’t give up the special place in my heart for the Girl Scouts, leading to today's partnership with the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida and Warrior Empowerment, Inc. Through this partnership, I provide a self defense class patch, that I designed, to each of the girls who participate in any of my seminars. This patch is further used as a marketing tool to help promote my seminars to the entire Southeast Florida region. 

What is your favorite part about performing your talent on stage?

It is honestly quite difficult to pick my favorite part of performing my talent on stage. As a Martial Artist, there is so much I can bring to the Miss America stage, and that is exactly what I do. I combine creative styles of open-hand form and weapons! I currently use a bo-staff and nunchucks on stage, but I have even once before used a sword. If I truly had to pick a favorite part, I could cave and admit that my favorite part is the board break at the end. At Miss Miami, I broke 4 boards stacked together! My entire talent is a true joy to perform, and I always have the most fun with every part of my talent on that stage. 

You’re a graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Where do you see you degree taking you?

I had the honor of completing my Bachelors in the Arts with a major in Health Sciences and two minors in Health Administration and Psychology. I further had the honor of completing this within three years; I had no prior credits from High School coming into college, so my semesters were always busy! It is my true aspiration to apply to receive my Masters in Physician Assistant Studies, hopefully from Barry University in Miami where my dad is an alumni. 

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

If I was a Disney character for a week, I would choose Ariel! As a young girl, I always looked up to Ariel as my favorite princess and I always dreamed of becoming a Mermaid. I am personally terrible at holding my breath under the water, so it would be pretty cool to be a mermaid for the day!

If you had an extra ticket to see the Red Sox play the Marlins, who would you take with you? Why?

If I had an extra ticket to the RedSox vs Marlins game I would bring my brother Michael. Many people do not know this about my brother, but he was a travel baseball player for many years. He even had the opportunity to play for Team USA Baseball in highschool. My brother's love for the sport has never dissipated throughout the years, so I would absolutely take him without a doubt. 

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

Even though my brother is the baseball professional in our family, I would love to throw the first pitch at a baseball game! I've never had the honor, and I truly believe that my brother set me up well to throw a decent first pitch at a baseball game.

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Throwing the first pitch is a dream of mine as well! 

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

I also want to wish her luck when she competes for Miss Florida! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Ashley during her journey as Miss Miami. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram and organization's Instagram accounts. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Ashley, and good luck!

Go Red! 2020 Topps Opening Day Target Red Foil Andrew Benintendi

February is American Heart Month. As a nod to the Go Red for Women activities going on this month to help raise awareness, I thought I'd contribute several "red" themed posts sprinkled throughout the month. Here's the next one.

Let's talk about this card...

I'll never quite know what happened with Benintendi. Considering he was such a big draft pick, it seemed like the organization was never really in love with him. I always assumed that professional talent evaluators were able to pick up on something I couldn't. But, it seemed like he was a better player than he ever showed. Or got the chance to show.

The card itself is fun. The red foil cards always work better on Red Sox cards, or obvious reasons. The photo in this case is a nice image for the very narrow vertical space allowed on the 2020 Topps cards. I only wish he wasn't wearing the blue jersey. The home whiles would probably work better with the red borders. Can't have everything I suppose.

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If you are able, I highly recommend you support the American Heart Association's efforts with a donation. You can find the link here.

Support the efforts to Go Red for Women!

Brittany Costello Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Brittany Costello is passionate about global watersheds, a talented singer, and the current Miss Scott County. I was so excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Brittany Costello visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Scott County Crown?

Over the last 13 years of competing in Miss America, it has been my tradition to go to our local ice cream store, Whitey’s, after every competition. After being crowned Miss Scott County, I introduced my teen, Ellery, to the tradition and we enjoyed the best ice cream in the midwest! This has been a tradition that I have always cherished, regardless of the competition outcome and I am so glad I was able to introduce it to Ellery and her mom!

What has been the biggest surprise about your time as Miss Scott County?

I have always felt very supported by my community both in my hometown and in all the times I have served Scott County. However, this year I have been pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support and interest in my initiative. I have had community members reach out to learn more, asking how to get involved, and inviting me to speak at events. The interest and support has improved my confidence in advocating for water quality, and has given me even more reason to do so. I am so grateful and blessed to serve Scott County not once, not twice, but four different times.

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

Making sure that I have everything I need during the week, specifically enough food, water, and all the small accessories for my outfits. I usually have a spreadsheet for this to make sure I am completely organized, but I still get nervous that I am forgetting something.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Watersheds: Think Global, Act Local”?

For all of my life, I have known that I wanted to do something environmentally related when I ‘grew up.’ I just couldn’t put my finger on exactly what that would be until I went on my 6th grade field trip to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois. While there, I met the marine biologists and did a squid dissection with them. I knew right away that this was what I was meant to do; I was going to ‘grow up’ to be a marine biologist. Ever since then, I have worked towards that goal. I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences - Life Sciences emphasis in May and will continue my education by attending graduate school to achieve my PhD in Marine Biology. With all of this being said, in order to study sharks (my favorite animal, and the main motivation behind my admiration for marine biology), we have to have healthy water sources. In doing my own research for fun, I found that there is a major watershed health issue in my state AND it affects oceans all over the world, but more directly affects the Gulf of Mexico! Unhealthy waterways creates public health scares and ecosystem deterioration. A large part of Iowa’s water pollution comes from excessive nutrients which are extremely harmful to the environment and to people (specifically children and expectant mothers). When exposed, we are faced with increased risks of birth complications, cancers, disruption in concentration abilities, and harmful algal blooms (kills off fish, messes with our breathing, and more). Iowa is bordered by two large rivers (the Missouri and the Mississippi) which flow right into the Gulf of Mexico and are home to the nation's largest watershed- the Mississippi River Watershed. Iowa plays a direct role in the health of the Gulf so we desperately need to be diligent and mindful in what we are putting into our local areas in order to protect areas around the globe. After I did all of this research, I knew I needed to do something. I knew that if this was something I was unaware of, most people also probably had no idea. That is why I created my initiative and that is why it is so important and relevant. Lastly, the importance of my initiative can also be expanded to self actualization through aiding individuals into understanding their full potential - that all individuals are powerful and truly can make a big difference.

You’re studying Environmental Science at University of Northern Iowa. Where do you see that field taking you?

I will continue my education by attending graduate school for marine biology to obtain my PhD. I want to use my environmental science degree in conjunction with my marine biology degree to study marine ecosystems and find ways to improve the hydrology within these ecosystems.

What is “Real Talk Friday”?

Real Talk Friday is a series of posts I do every Friday on Instagram and Facebook. The goal of these posts is to initiate an open and safe conversation about topics that are unrelated to my initiative and aren’t talked about enough. The overarching goal is to help people feel validated in their feelings, struggles, life, etc. I think it is extremely important to have representation in all aspects of life; to show others that they are never alone. I also like to use these posts to feature others and their stories. If you want to be featured in these posts, you can send me a message or fill out the google form that is linked in my bio (on both Facebook and Instagram). I am looking for people (does NOT have to be a titleholder!!) who can speak candidly about a topic that hits close to home for them. Topics can be about anything, there really is no topic that is ‘too small’ for Real Talk Friday. To give you a little taste of my Real Talk Friday posts: one of the posts talks about imposter syndrome, which is really common among titleholders. In this post, I featured a sister titleholder who has imposter syndrome. I did all the preliminary research to give facts and resources regarding imposter syndrome. The most important piece of the post, however, is the last couple of slides. In these slides, my sister titleholder shared her story- talking about her struggles, how she deals with them, and how she has overcome them!

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

It is impossible for me to choose between Belle and Moana. Belle is a classic Disney princess and I have always resonated with her love for learning. I also have always wanted to play Belle in a musical rendition of the movie. However, as a future marine biologist, Moana blew me away the first time I watched it. I remember crying at the beauty of the ocean animations, and the music that Lin Manuel Miranda composed for the movie. I relate to Moana’s connection with the ocean, and her love for exploring. Moana is a newer Disney princess, but that doesn’t take away from her brilliance. Both characters have large pieces of me intertwined with their stories so I would be perfectly content being either for a week!

If you had an extra ticket to the Quad City River Bandits play the Cedar Rapids Kernels, who would you take with you? Why?

This is such a hard question because I would have to choose between my brother, dad, and mom. They are the reason I am such a huge baseball fan, and I would like to share the experience of the game with all of them. If I absolutely had to pick, I would pick my brother so that he could help me understand any parts of the game that I don’t understand.

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

I know this is a Red Sox Fan Blog but, I am a HUGE Chicago Cubs fan and have attended many games within my lifetime. My favorite part of going to Cubs games is sitting in the Budweiser Bleachers because you are given the opportunity to interact with the outfielders. I have even been fortunate enough to catch balls thrown by Wilson Contreras and Ian Happ! I highly recommend attending a game at Wrigley while sitting in the bleachers, even if you’re not a Cubs fan!! Something else I would love to experience is getting an autograph from Anthony Rizzo. He was my favorite Cubs player until he had been traded, but he remains one of my favorite baseball players to this day. I really love that he uses his platform for a good cause, advocating for cancer patients and their families through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. He is an incredible role model and has inspired me in many ways.

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Rizzo is an old Red Sox farmhand, so he's definitely cool with me. 

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

I also want to wish her luck when she competes for Miss Iowa! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Brittany during her journey as Miss Scott County. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook accounts. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Brittany, and good luck!