Madison Baker Visits Section 36!

Photo Stephanie Carine

Section 36 had another visitor! Madison Baker is passionate about sports accessibility, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Grapevine. I was thrilled she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Madison Baker visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Grapevine crown?

I actually won Miss Grapevine while I was in the middle of moving into a new apartment, so the day after I won my mom and I were busy moving and unpacking boxes! We did celebrate though with my directors and fellow sister-queens right after the pageant. They have truly become such an incredible family to me this year!

What has been the most pleasant surprise about your time as Miss Grapevine?

How incredibly special the community of Grapevine is. Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of Texas, and seeing the town come alive during the holiday season was so special! I also got the opportunity to take a historical food tour of downtown Grapevine and was surprised to learn the diverse history of the town. From its beginnings as a settlement town, to the expansion of the railroad, followed by a brief period as the "Cantaloupe Capital of the World," and today being known for Dallas-Fort Worth Airport; the history of Grapevine is amazing!

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

Stephanie Carine

Talent. Even though I've been a dancer most of my life, I still get pre-performance nerves!

How did you select your community service initiative, “Athletics for All”?

As a kid I tried almost every sport available. I played soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, and gymnastics before I finally found my love of dance. It was as I got older that I realized a lot of children come from a socioeconomic background that allows them to try that many sports, let alone play at all. Athletics for All is my 501(3) that is dedicated to leveling the "paying" field in sports. Allowing all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, to play sports through equipment donations, sponsorships, and education about the necessity of athletics.

You are studying strategic communications at TCU. Where do you see that field taking you?

I would love to work in public relations and influencer management, helping to connect consumers to the people, products, and places that they love.

You had the opportunity to study in Europe for six months. What was that experience like?

Studying abroad was completely out of my comfort zone, but I love to travel so I decided to give it a shot. When I first got there I was so overwhelmed and experiencing such bad jet lag that I immediately wanted to come, but my parents told me to stick it out for at least two weeks. Two weeks I was having the time of my life! Aside from the incredible trips, great food, and new friends I made, Italy also taught me how to push through hard times. It taught me that sometimes all you need is an adjustment period. Studying abroad was one of the highlights of my college experience! 

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

Based solely on her ability to breathe underwater AND talk to animals, I would say Ariel for sure. Having the same hair color is a plus too! 

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

I would take my little sister Lauren! We have a really close relationship as sisters, and as friends, and I would love to spend that time with her. She started her freshman year of college this year so I don't get to see her as often. A visit to Texas to watch a Rangers game would be the perfect excuse for her to visit. 

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

I would love to participate in an on field competition. Even though I can be super clumsy, I feel like I would be strangely good at a game like dizzy bat! 

---

I wonder how I would do at dizzy bat.

As always, I want to thank Madison 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 Texas! It would be fantastic to have the first Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Madison during her journey. You should be sure to check out her Instagram account, as well as the one for her local organization. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything.

Thanks again Madison, and good luck!  

Mikaela Mohr Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Mikaela Mohr is passionate about breast cancer care, a top saleswoman, and the current Miss Winona. I was flattered she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Mikaela Mohr visits Section 36!

How did you react to being crowned Miss Winona? 

With Winona being my hometown - being Miss Winona was a dream of mine given I had looked up to her since I was a little girl. I remember feeling quite literally shocked that the crown was actually being placed on my head...not to mention I was crowned by Miss Minnesota, Rachel Evangelisto (the former Miss Winona), and MISS AMERICA (at the time), Emma Broyles. There was honestly this feeling of meant-to-be, like "I did it. I finally did it." Then after the competition, there was a reception in which it hit me...I get to continue my journey within the Miss America Organization and represent my hometown while I compete for the role of Miss Minnesota 2023. 

What has been the most pleasant surprise about your time as Miss Winona? 

The abundance of support. I have so many people in my corner cheering for me, coaching me, and simply joining me on this next step of my journey: Miss Minnesota.

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

To wear this crown for the right reason. I get asked often, "Why did you start competing?" and the answer is simple; for others who may not recognize that their story matters too. I grew up as the daughter (and caregiver) of a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor; my mom. She was first diagnosed when I was in 5^th grade so the majority of my developmental years were centric on caring for others, which I'm grateful for as it shaped me into who I am today. Now, was there some part of me that was saddened, angry, and even resentful at times? Absolutely! However, I NEVER felt this way towards my mother...more so at the fact that there was nobody to really "blame." This was just the way life was meant to be - and it was difficult to accept, yet as I grew through the experience I can now look back and realize what life skills, experiences, and even lessons I had learned and chose to see the positive. This is my goal during my time as Miss Winona - to bring visibility to the loved ones of someone diagnosed with cancer, and to support the supporters. The Miss America Organization provides the opportunity to share passions through a "Community Service Initiative" to dedicate your year to a specific cause. I chose to use this avenue to share my experiences and I call this,

More Than a Diagnosis. 

How did you select your community service initiative? 

It started before even being given the crown. I partnered with a local hospital and we started a now-annual Color Fun Run to benefit Breast Cancer patients/survivors called, ThinkPINK Winona. We started with no template or quite frankly much of a budget. In only a few months we pulled together a community event with several sponsors and over 150 people in attendance. I remember as everyone gathered at the starting line and the pink powder started flying my mother and I counted down from 3..2...1 and just seeing this moment come to fruition; all of the smiles, laughter, color, and even tears....my mother looked over at me and said, "I never realized how much my diagnosis effected you too." This hit me HARD. We were both so focused on her surviving such a difficult pathway that even I never looked at my experience and all that had come from it. 8 Months later I competed for Miss Winona, was given this amazing year, and realized that I'm not the only one. Over 1.9 Million Americans were diagnosed with cancer in 2022, meaning there are going to be children, spouses, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, and friends who are going to step into the supportive role and help their loved one survive. It takes a lot to care for someone and it's pivotal that we rely on one another as it truly takes a village.

You currently work in sales. What is that experience like for you? 

Oh, absolutely amazing! I work for a Fortune 500 global company based in Minnesota. I started my career after graduating from the AACSB-Accredited Winona State College of Business in December 2022. Now, taking on this role in an already male-dominated vertical is one thing...but I'm in SUPPLY CHAIN Sales, which only took that to a whole new level. In the past few months I have been honored to be recognized as a top performer, but I truly believe it's all centric on the mindset. I love my job and have felt nothing but support (especially towards my journey in the Miss America Organization), but the most experiential piece of it all is being able to work in a place that values my strong work ethic and encourages me to improve continuously. One thing I love is the atmosphere of being "remote first", even though I go into the headquarters by choice several times a week. I've chosen to use this step in my career to network with others within my industry and influential C-suite leaders to build my professional and personal network.

How would you complete the sentence, “I get great satisfaction when ___”? 

…passion drives positive change. One thing I made clear from the start of this crazy journey within the MAO was that I don't want to just show up to an event, take photos, and leave...I'm here to make a difference. I choose to get involved with an appearance from the beginning; sitting on committee boards, helping plan or outsource fundraising, connecting with sponsors, or simply helping elevate the marketing efforts of an organization; I'm all about using my talents and profession to make a difference not only on stage but behind the scenes.

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

Dory from Finding Nemo. Even though she has short-term memory loss, she continually chooses to live life to the fullest and with a positive outlook. Also, just imagine how exciting and adventurous your every day would be to re-experience as if it had never happened before. And yes, there are definitely negative aspects of having memory loss of any kind, which many people face in their everyday lives, but I also believe that being able to actually live in their shoes for a week would be truly eye-opening - to actually physically and emotionally understand what someone is going through so you can best support them.

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

I'm actually going to a Twins game at the end of April (for an American Cancer Society MN event), and I'm bringing my mom! We never got to experience things like that given we were focused on "other" things during my childhood [aka her surviving cancer of course] so it'll be fun to make those memories now that she's healthy and we still have the opportunity to do so.

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

Singing the national anthem. (Which might just be something in the works if I'm blessed with the title of Miss Minnesota 2023 )

---

I definitely hope she gets to do that!

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

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Mikaela during her journey. You should be sure to check out her Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on. In fact, check out her whole linktree! That way you'll be sure not to miss anything.

Thanks again Mikaela, and good luck!   

2022 Topps Holiday Blaster!

More cards! I still had this box of 2022 Topps Holiday, so I thought it made sense to explore today. It's still a fun set. I like being able to add some variety to my collection. This set makes for an affordable parallel type card of these players. It also doesn't take itself too seriously, which I enjoy.

How did this box go? Let's find out! 

Apparently it's a "Mega Box". Ok, I guess.

With lots of packs. Maybe that's the "mega" part. They always manage to convince me that more packs somehow gives me a better chance of getting something good. Weird, I know. The odds are probably all the same.

Like I said, not taking itself seriously. A die cut of JD in a Santa hat? Sign me up. Although, it's biger than a standard card, so no idea what I'm going to do with this thing. Other than post a picture of it every Christmas, of course.

And here's short-time Red Sox Eric Hosmer. I really thought he was going to be the key to the Sox season last year. Oh well.

And there you have it. Definitely not much Sox quantity. Was it quality? At least it was fun. That's really all I'm looking for from this set.

How did your box go?

Angela Luna Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Angela Luna is passionate about school safety, a television news anchor, and preparing to compete for Miss Maine. I was thrilled she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Angela Luna visits Section 36!

What made you decide to compete for the Miss Maine crown?

As soon as I saw that Miss America raised the age, I instantly reached out to the Miss Maine board to compete. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl to go to Miss America and represent my state and I’m on cloud nine about having one more shot. I have fallen in love with Maine and the community and it would be an honor to serve Mainers at the national level.

As a prior local titleholder in Missouri, do you think that experience will help you at the Miss Maine competition?

Of course! All the lessons and preparation I received from theMiss Missouri board and my local directors not only has prepared me for the Miss Maine crown but has also led me to achieve my childhood dream of becoming a Morning News Anchor. Besides telling Mainers stories, I’ve been able to immerse myself in the community by volunteering, networking, and fostering lifelog friendships here in Maine.

What is something Madison Leslie is doing as Miss Maine that you would want to emulate?

Madison’s authenticity truly shines inside and out. I love how
open and honest she has been as Miss Maine plus keeping up with Maine traditions as a titleholder. I know I’ll have big heels to fill, but I plan to continue the behind the scenes life as Miss Maine while staying true to myself. I hope to make the phenomenal women before me proud.

How did you select your community service initiative?

Five years ago, I had to make the nerve wrecking call to my parents in Florida to make sure my sister Jordan was alive during the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Jordan lost her friend and teammate Alyssa Alhadeff that day. I knew I wanted to join the school safety movement to empower students and educators to understand the importance of school safety procedures. WithMake Our Schools Safe, I’ve been able to meet with the Maine Department of Education and the Maine School Safety Center to make sure safety procedures are evolving throughout

our state. One of my main goals as Miss Maine is to pass Alyssa’ Law, which would require public schools in Maine to install silent panic alarms to reduce law enforcement response times in an emergency situation. Bangor Public Schools are the first district in all New England to enact silent panic alarms and I want to continue to expand them statewide.

You are currently working as a morning news anchor at WABI TV5. What do you enjoy about that experience?

We are a big family at WABI! To me, it truly doesn’t feel like work sometimes especially when we have fun segments during the morning show. I always joke that I’m Maine’s sunshine with their morning coffee!

You’ve also worked the sideline at UMaine football games. What drew you to that path?

I grew up as a dance competition kid and the daughter of a football coach which led to my love of sports. I was a Weekend Sports Anchor at Heart of Illinois ABC in Peoria, IL before WABI so I wanted to continue covering sports on the side. Our evening anchor Brittany McHatten referred me to UMaine athletics and the rest was history!

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

I am Olaf to a T. We are both ENFP’s and enneagram 7w6’s who are animated, quirky and fun! I relate to Olaf the most, especially how he wants to experience everything the world has to offer. Plus, navigating through Maine winters makes me dream of summer!

If you had an extra ticket to see a baseball game between the Portland Sea Dogs and the NH Fisher Cats, who would you take with you? Why?

I would bring my good friend Allegra Zamore. We instantly became close friends at WABI and love the Sea Dogs! I also want to catch the “Maine Clambakes” game as well.

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

It would be epic to throw out the first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game as Miss Maine on Maine Day!

---

"Epic" would be just the beginning!

As always, I want to thank Angela 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 Maine! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Angela during her journey. 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 Angela, and good luck!   

2021 Topps Big League Blaster!

OK. Time for an oldie. Of course, this isn't as old as it might appear since Topps took forever to release this set. But, this one has still been sitting in my closet for a while. It's an interesting concept that Topps has been using. It's like opening a vintage pack when you already know who the key rookies are. Not that I think they should keep doing it, but it's interesting.

How did this box go? Let's find out!

Yup. It's actually a 2021 box.

Quite a few packs, which is always nice.

The set does have parallels, like this orange Chris Sale here. I like the design. Like a little throwback concept.

See? I already know this is one of the hot rookies. Or, was one of the hot rookies. Or will be a hot rookie again. I can't really remember.

A nice little subset here of Devers. I assume this means he hit a home run 449 feet at some point somewhere.

There are even silver parallels! Numbered ones! Of rookies!

Another hot rookie! Hopefully they all become superstars very soon.

And there you have it. It was basically a Red Sox rookie hot box, grabbing the top to Sox base cards. Not a bad haul at all.

How did your box go?

Kaycee Krell Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Kaycee Krell is passionate about bullying and suicide prevention, a future wellness specialist, and the current Miss Cowley County. I was so flattered she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Kaycee Krell visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Cowley County crown? 

After I was crowned Miss Cowley County 2023 in September, my amazing parents took me to Braum’s (my road trip treat) and we drove the three hours back to Leawood. I vividly remember getting in the car and crying just staring at my crown and sash feeling so proud that I did it! 

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

I am a diehard perfectionist and hold myself to an incredibly high standard. I wouldn’t say I am nervous per se, but I am definitely anxious about being able to perform the way I practice! I put my heart and soul into everything I do, especially when preparing for the Miss Kansas competition, so the pressure to reach my goals and make myself proud is immense! 

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

Definitely the partnerships and sponsorships I have established. I knew that I wanted to expand my CSI this year of service, but I am incredibly humbled to have brought on REDCARD KC, DARE Greater Kansas Chapter, and BabyJay’s Legacy of Hope as my partners. I still have some in the works! At this point, I have also brought on 15 brand new sponsors and counting. I am just surprised and appreciative by the amount of support I have received from local businesses and organizations this year! 

How did you select your CSI “The MIRROR: A Reflection on Bullying and Suicide Prevention? 

My passion stems from my own tragic story as a bully victim. Six years ago, I was forced out of my high school when I was falsely accused of “snitching” on students using illegal substances. I faced a mob of over 400 students chasing me down the hallway trying to kill me. I endured daily abuse, hate crimes, death threats, and all of the horrible acts you could ever imagine. Not only was this detrimental to my growth and development as a brand new freshman, but it followed me to the next four high schools that I would later have to attend because I could never escape the false persona made for me or the bullying that it attracted. Yes, my experience was traumatic, but it led me to build an entire platform focused on saving the lives of bully victims and helping them regain their strength, just like I did. 

I established six steps toward overcoming bullying guided by the acronym M.I.R.R.O.R., because I want everyone to be able to look into the mirror and recognize their inner strength–recognition and reflection are the first steps to healing. This framework brought me out of some of my darkest times and I have seen firsthand the impact it has on the lives of others who have gone through similar experiences. 

You’re currently studying Community Health at the University of Kansas? What drew you down that path? 

I actually started out as a Journalism major wanting to go into

News Anchoring. I quickly realized I was listening to everyone else’s opinion of what I would be good at instead of what I knew deep down I wanted to do. I have always been passionate about healing others, whether that was abandoned animals at an animal shelter, cancer patients at my local hospital, elderly individuals in a nursing home, or ultimately victims of bullying like I once was. My sophomore year, I found the courage to deviate from the path that was chosen for me, and instead follow my dreams of pursuing a career in healthcare. 

As someone who has struggled with health conditions, I was validated by many healthcare professionals and I want to replicate that positive and nurturing experience for others. I want to be a Wellness Specialist either in a corporate setting, for a nonprofit organization, or a hospital. This ambition stemmed from serving as the Wellness Specialist for a sorority I was part of in earlier years of college. Promoting the utmost healthy lifestyle (mentally and physically) is a passion of mine and I want to help others reshape their behaviors and patterns and live a life they can’t wait to wake up to! 

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

I would be Mirabel from Encanto! Her story resonates with me a lot and I see myself in her. She was surrounded by others who received “gifts” and spent years searching for her own, but she was always encouraging those around her despite her own internal struggle. She never villainized her family members who had gifts or acted on jealousy, she was in awe of them and treated them as such. Her gift was not something tangible, it was the power and knowledge she possessed inside. She is a perfect reminder that the gifts we have in life may not be traditional, but we are always given exactly what is meant for us! 

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

Last year around this time I saw the Kansas City Royals play the St. Louis Cardinals and, of course, KC won! If I had an extra ticket to see the Red Sox play the Royals, I would take my sister who is my best friend. Although she is not into sports at all, I think she’d be amazed by the funnel cake (but only if it is dairy free!) 

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

In high school, I was the designated National Anthem singer for all of the sporting events and it was the biggest honor and joy for me. I’d love to sing the National Anthem at an MLB game for sure!

---

That would definitely be a fantastic experience!

As always, I want to thank Kaycee 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 Kansas! It would be fantastic to have the first Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Kaycee during her journey as Miss Cowley County. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account. In fact, check out her whole linktree. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Kaycee, and good luck!