Shannon Kelly Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Shannon Kelly is passionate about self-care, a talented singer, and the current Miss Champlain Valley. 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 Shannon Kelly visits Section 36!

What made you decide to try for the Miss Vermont crown as Miss Champlain Valley?

I began getting involved with the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization in 2020 because I was looking for a performing arts opportunity in the midst of lockdown. 4 years later, I’ve acquired key skills, made lifelong friendships, and learned to value myself in ways that make me so excited to come back and rock the Miss Vermont 2024 stage!

What is something Yamuna Turco is doing as Miss Vermont that you would want to emulate?

Yamuna has served wonderfully as Miss Vermont, and will leave a lasting impression on the legacy of the organization. One of the things I admire most about her reign and hope to emulate with mine is her sense of joy. Yamuna is able to brighten up any room she walks into, and can make anyone feel comfortable and important when they talk to her. 

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

I get great satisfaction when I can make people smile! In my everyday life, I’m always cracking jokes, and i’m a fierce optimist. If I can brighten someone’s day with a compliment or a story, there is no greater prize. 

How did you select your community service initiative Self C.A.R.E.?

My Community Service Initiative, Self CARE: Creating Accessible Resources for Everyone, was formed after I realized how deeply basic self care was impacting my mental health. As someone diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and ADHD, finding the motivation to perform simple self care tasks can be challenging for me. Through competing, I began to rediscover the drive to take care of myself, in order to make myself feel and look good. I realized that in order to make self care a bigger part of peoples lives, someone needed to talk about it and find ways to make it more accessible for lower income folks.

As a talented singer, what is your favorite part about performing your talent on stage?

As a theater major, I love being given opportunities to perform. My favorite part of performing my Miss Vermont 2024 talent is telling a story of determination and hope. The character in my song has struggled, but she’s sure that through perseverance, she can achieve her goals.

You are currently a theatre major at Borough of Manhattan CC. Where do you see your studies taking you?

After I graduate college, I’d love to become a professional actor or director. Theater is what I’m more familiar with, but I’d love the opportunity to try working in film as well!

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

If I could be any Disney character for a week, I’d be Tinker Bell! I’ve seen every Tinker Bell movie, and she was always my favorite character growing up. I love her friends, fashion, and being able to fly doesn’t hurt either! 

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

If I could see the Red Sox play at Fenway Park, I would take my little brother with me! I love spending time with him, and we would have an awesome time together. 

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

In the past Miss Vermont and Miss Vermont’s Teen have been able to throw the first pitch for Vermont’s baseball team, the Vermont Lake Monsters! If crowned that’s an event I’d be stoked to participate in! 

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A first pitch is always a fun time. Hope she can make that happen!

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with her during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account, as well as her personal website. They're both great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Shannon, and good luck in the future!

Emma Anderson Visits Section 36!

Photo: Jonathan Adams

Section 36 had another visitor! Emma Anderson is passionate about access to menstrual products, a dancer, and the current Miss Champlain Valley. 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 Emma Anderson visits Section 36!

What made you decide to try for the Miss Vermont crown?

I decided to start competing for Miss Vermont, A lot earlier than I had originally planned I might add, because I genuinely missed pushing myself in the way that competing forces you too. As a Sophomore in College, it was definitely very daunting to try and set aside so much time to prepare for competition but it was so worth it. I ended up being able to involve my studies and some of my professors in my preparations which helped a lot! 

What has been the biggest surprise about your first “Miss” title, Miss Champlain Valley?

I think the biggest surprise that came with being Miss Champlain Valley was how different being a “Miss” is from a “Teen”. Once upon a time I held the title of Miss Champlain Valley’s Outstanding Teen and eventually Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen. As a teen in this organization so much emphasis is put on leaning on your “older sisters” (ie the Misses) to help push you. I loved being able to be that older sister for our teens this year and create some amazing relationships with some really impressive young women! 

You were Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen in 2021. What is your favorite memory from that experience?

I think my favorite memory from my year as Miss Vermont’s Outstanding Teen would have to be attending both my own national competition and the 100th year of Miss America!! One of my all time favorite pictures from my year was taken immediately after MAOTeen finals when my Miss Vermont, Danielle Morse found me on the edge of the stage and we just had an amazing little moment. At Miss America, although we only had one night of visitation, it was amazing to have a similar experience but celebrating her instead! 

How did you select your community service initiative, “Not A Luxury”?

I picked my CSI “Not A Luxury: Increasing Access To Menstrual Products” during the COVID Pandemic. The pandemic made it really obvious to me that there were many essential items that were being overlooked by food stamps programs and food pantries around not only my state but the county. Prior to competing for the first time I donated 5,500 menstrual products to a local shelter called Spectrum. Honestly, the rest is history!

As a talented dancer, what is your favorite part about performing your talent on stage?

My favorite part of performing my talent is always the little sections that honestly have nothing to do with actually dancing but more connecting with the audience and the judges. This past competition, I loved building in little moments for connection throughout my choreography, it really helps me feel more at ease while performing but I know that it also helps keep the energy up throughout my entire piece as well! 

You are currently studying History and Equity Studies at Saint Michael’s College. What drew you to that field?

I was drawn to my majors of History and Equity Studies for two reasons. History is just something I have always loved learning about, and I knew that I wanted to expand my understanding of how history continues to impact us everyday. Equity Studies I actually just added at the end of last year because I really wanted to focus on in this overlooked area of study. To put it simply, we study how and why inequality exists in the world. Inequality is something that I’ve come face to face with more since creating my CSI so I wanted to expand my understanding to better serve in my state in this way.

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

I love this question! I would probably be Belle because she was always looking to keep learning. She always wants to understand how and why things happen. On top of that, she is such an accepting character and works for everyone she interacts with to feel like they have a place and like they matter which is something I try and do in my everyday life!

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

If I had an extra ticket to see the Red Sox play at Fenway I would probably take my little brother. He is turning 7 in September and has not been super exposed to baseball in his life but is a huge sports fanatic and will cheer with so much enthusiasm for any team he can! 

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

In general, I’ve never been to a professional game! I have always wanted to go to a Red Sox game because I have a ton of friends and family who have gone and they had the best time! I would just love to experience that for myself! More specifically though, I would love to somehow catch a ball that went into the stands because that would just be a really cool story to tell! 

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That would definitely be cool. I've never done that either.

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Emma during the rest of her journey. 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, and you'll be sure not to miss anything. 

Thanks again Emma, and good luck in the future!

Hannah Roque Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Hannah Roque is passionate about STEAM, a talented singer, and the current Miss Champlain Valley. 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 Hannah Roque visits Section 36!

What made you want to participate in the Miss VT preliminary program as Miss Champlain Valley?

I was already very seriously preparing for the Miss Vermont 2020 competition when we had to postpone because of the pandemic. When the Miss VT preliminary program was rolled out, I jumped at the chance to become more involved in the organization that I love so much! It is such an honor to represent the Champlain Valley in Vermont. I am currently a student at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, VT, which is in the Champlain Valley, as is my hometown of Middlebury, VT! It’s very meaningful to me to be able to represent this beautiful region alongside Lake Champlain! 

 

You finished second runner up at the last Miss Vermont competition. What did you learn from that experience that will help you the next time you compete?

When my name was called as second runner up at the Miss

Vermont 2019 competition, I was in complete shock! It was my first time ever competing so I went in just trying to learn as much as I possibly could; placing in the top 3 had never crossed my mind as I was preparing, so I was incredibly excited when my name was called! This experience really boosted my confidence in myself and as a performer. The most important thing I learned while competing was how to be my most authentic self both on and offstage. I’m still growing and learning as a person, but competing has helped me find who I am! I think all of that personal growth will help me achieve my goal of becoming Miss Vermont, while still staying true to myself! 

 

You were able to represent Vermont at the Miss National Sweetheart pageant. What was that experience like?

Competing at the National Sweetheart Pageant was an experience like no other! Being able to take all that I had learned on the Miss Vermont stage and apply it to a national pageant was an amazing opportunity to grow as a person. I absolutely loved the opportunity to meet 30 other incredible women from across the country, many of whom I still talk to today! Everyone in the town of Hoopeston, IL was so welcoming, and I instantly felt like I was part of the community while I was there. Representing Vermont at the National Sweetheart Pageant reaffirmed my dream of becoming Miss Vermont, and I will forever be thankful for this learning experience! 

 

How did you select your “STEAM Education” social impact initiative?

As a double major in English and Secondary Education with a

minor in Chemistry, I have always seen the overlap between STEM and the Arts. It is something that I am incredibly passionate about incorporating into my future classroom, but as I’ve continued with my education, my social impact initiative has morphed into something larger than STEAM. Through many experiences observing and teaching classes at all different grade levels, I’ve noticed that many students aren’t excited about the content that they’re learning. My new social impact initiative, Building Bridges to Success, is focused on helping students connect and engage with their education in meaningful ways. It is so important to help all students find meaning in their education, and I am excited to go into schools and talk to students of all different age groups. 

 

As a talented singer, what is your favorite part about performing your talent on stage?

I love getting the chance to show my personality through my song choice and choreography. I’ve performed in many musical theater productions, so getting the chance to showcase my own personality onstage is always exciting!

 

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

I would want to be Ariel! I’ve always loved her songs, and I would love to be a mermaid for a week! The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite Disney movie, so I would love the chance to live out Ariel’s life! 

 

As a fan of Broadway shows, what’s the show you most want to see once the theaters open again?

I actually had tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 

Photo by
Jon Adams

back in May, so I’m really excited to go and see it when theaters reopen! I’m a massive Harry Potter fan, so I’m looking forward to getting to experience the world of magic onstage! 

 

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

I would bring my dad! He is a diehard Red Sox fan, so he’s the reason that I became a fan as well. Once it’s safe to travel and go to sports events again, I hope he and I can make a trip to Fenway and catch a game! 

 

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

As a singer, I would love to sing the National Anthem before a game. It would be such a dream come true to sing for a large audience at an iconic New England venue! 

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I’d love to be there to hear that!

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

As Hannah continues her time as Miss Champlain Valley, 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 Hannah, and good luck!