Karrington True Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Karrington True is passionate about supporting first responders, a future sports executive, and the current Miss Wayne County Area. 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 Karrington True visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Wayne County Area crown?

Many people may not know, but the first title I ever held in the Miss America Organization was Miss Wayne County Area so it feels amazing to go back to Miss Kentucky again with the title that holds such a special place in my heart - it has become a full circle moment.

So many of the towns in Kentucky are small, like my hometown, so it is important to me to support local businesses when I travel the state - this is also where you find the best food! The Black Stallion Grill in Monticello, Kentucky is one of my favorite restaurants in the Commonwealth and happens to be in Wayne County so every time I am passing through that area I stop and eat…After a long pageant day, I headed straight there!

I’ve eaten at the Black Stallion a lot, but this time might have been the most heart-warming. After enjoying my ‘usual’ I noticed a little girl out of the corner of my eye and waved to her. She was shy and bashful, but her mom brought her over to ‘meet the princess’. She crawled in my lap and we had a fun conversation about what she wanted to be when she grew up, her favorite Disney princess, and chicken nuggets. You never know who’s tiny eyes are watching!

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

My ‘why’ always starts with the Commonwealth’s first responders. As the daughter of a career firefighter, it is important to me to shed light on the issues our first responders face, create a community of first responder kids like myself, and to bring awareness to the work Supporting Heroes provides in honoring the service and sacrifice of those who give the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

I recently launched a school tour to teach Kentucky’s kids about fire safety! I’m bringing my friends Miss Mingo, Curious George, and Clifford the Big Red Dog along to share the importance of fire safety and what to do in emergencies… with a little literacy squeezed in there!

My goal is to speak to over 100 kids before I compete at the state pageant in June/July. I’ve been fortunate enough to partner with Kentucky State Fire to give each kiddo a fire helmet of their own and other fun goodies! But one of the best parts is getting to bring my dad along so kids can meet a real fire-fighter, try on turn-out gear, and most importantly see a firefighter in full gear. It can be very scary for kids in emergencies to see firefighters with masks on, loud respirators and more - so I want to show these kiddos there is nothing to be scared of!

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

Rob Metzger

I’m in the process of adding rhinestones to my talent gown and you have to glue them one-by-one… so I’m a little nervous they’ll fall off! I guess if they fall off it’ll be a sweet way to leave a little sparkle wherever I go.

I’ve already put 1,500+ stones on the gown and I only have one layer done so I’ll be stoning from now until the day I do my talent (haha)! It’s been really fun to add a special touch to a gown… I’m going to be so proud of the work I put into it once it’s finished. Any guesses on how many stones it’ll take!?

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Supporting Heroes”?

Supporting Heroes is dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice made by first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty, and our promise is to care for the loved ones they leave behind. My relationship with Supporting Heroes has spanned 15 years and we have accomplished so much. We have expanded the ways we serve our survivors to include increasing immediate financial aid to $5,000, providing honors and funeral planning services, assisting with federal benefit applications, providing transportation to national memorial services, supporting families during criminal proceedings, as well as expanding our coverage areas to include Kentucky, Indiana, and Missouri. All of this would not be possible without commitment from volunteers and community members in joint dedication to our heroes.

Personally, I have used this initiative advocating for supporting Heroes to bring light to many of the issues our first responders face today. From a lack of resources and adequate training programs to increased cancer risk and more. I have partnered with many local departments and Kentucky State Fire to assist in training exercises as a victim, spread awareness about the dangers of cancer exposure from the fire carcinogens left behind on gear, and start conversations surrounding our first responder’s mental health. I have also used this initiative to talk to everyday Kentuckians and teach about live-saving practices such as fire-saving practices such as smoke detector maintenance, CPR, emergency planning and more. 

Rob Metzger

I could say that I did not choose Supporting Heroes, but they chose me… instead the reality is that I was born into a family of first responders and my love for these heroes is greater than any ‘choice’. Families like mine always have the constant worry in their back of their minds that sounds like, “will my loved one come home safe today?” because it is often a question of when tragedy could strike and not if. Unfortunately, it is inevitable that brave men and women will fall in the line of duty and for my family that was September 2007, when Jerry Stucker gave the ultimate sacrifice. Jerry was a beloved hero, friend, and member of my father’s fire department. Through this tragedy I saw Supporting Heroes work firsthand and my involvement with the organization never stopped. Sadly, tragedy is often unrelenting and struck again in January 2021m when firefighter Mark Stewart lost his life. While line of duty deaths may never end, it is my hope and ultimate goal for Supporting Heroes to have the resources available to cover every line of duty death, across all 50 states. Until then, I am committed to positively changing one life at a time, starting here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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

Thank you for the compliment! I’m pretty clumsy in real life but can somehow put a foot in front of the other without falling when I’m dancing! I have been involved in some form of dance my entire life… from ballet lessons as a little kid, to musical theater performances, to being captain of my pom and hip-hop teams in high-school… Dance has always been a place of refuge for me. One of my dreams was to become an Irish dancer but I always found a reason to stop myself from it. I’m so glad I took that leap of faith and joined the Bluegrass Ceili Academy! I have learned so much about who I am as a dancer, been challenged in ways I never had before, and gained one of the most amazing families!

You graduated with a masters degree in sports leadership from University of Kentucky. Where do you hope those studies will take you?

Rob Metzger

I am so fortunate to be back in the soccer world after a year in public affairs and governmental relations. Soccer really does have a special place in my heart and has been such a big part of my life and professional career. My biggest goal (or Mount Everest as I call it) would be to break the barrier in professional soccer and become the first female general manager of a major soccer club in the United States. It would also be a dream come true to have the opportunity to work for my favorite English Premier Club team, Chelsea FC.

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

If I could be a Disney Character for a week I would hope the last day of that week would fall on the day I travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky for Miss Kentucky… and I would want to be Mary Poppins.

This might strike you as an odd choice, but I want to be practical here and Mary Poppins has the magical bag that holds anything and everything. I’m a heavy packer and take so much stuff to Miss Kentucky! It would be amazing to have that magical bag and make packing a breeze! I know my dad would appreciate it since he carries a lot of my stuff usually (haha)

At Kentucky you had the opportunity to work as Director of Operations for Women’s Soccer. What was that experience like?

Life-changing. Challenging. Exceptional… the list goes on and on! The time I spent as the Director of Operations for the University of Kentucky Women’s Soccer Program is something I will be forever grateful for. 

I was the first Undergraduate Student to hold a Director of Operations position at the University of Kentucky and within the Southeastern Conference, so I was expected to rise to any and every challenge. When I started, I was 19 years old, had never booked a hotel room before, and half the team was older than me… I was also the only female on staff. 

I’m fortunate to have worked with the best coaching staff who understood my aspirations and created an environment for me to learn as much as possible and get one step closer to reaching those goals. Also, having a front row seat to cheering on amazing student-athletes is just…wow! It’s so eye opening to see the work these kids put in on and off the field.

Working in Athletic Operations during the Covid-19 pandemic is a whole other story. This season was the most challenging, but I know if I can get through that - I can get through any challenge!

The icing on the cake was earning my Master’s Degree completely debt free and with a 4.0 GPA. Lastly, getting to work in one of the best athletic departments in the country, at my alma-mater, and within the state I love so much is incredibly special! 

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

There are so many traditions and unique features at baseball games that speak to the sport itself and the teams…but the one thing I would love to do would be to dust off home plate with the little brush! The umpires I have seen do it take it very seriously and are incredibly precise. Anyone can throw out the first pitch, but who gets to dust off home plate besides the umpire!? I would love to do that as Miss Kentucky!

You know that I am a soccer fan at my core, but the memories I have of my great-grandpa and his love for baseball have a special place in my heart. There were countless times when he would accidentally butt-dial me and all I could hear was the baseball game he was at in the background - he loved the sport and sharing that with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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So, "brushing off home plate" is a new one, but I love it! 

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Karrington during her journey as Miss Wayne County Area. 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. 

Thanks again Karrington, and good luck!

Olivia Andrews Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Olivia Andrews is passionate about music therapy, a talented singer, and the current Miss Pride of the Commonwealth. 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 Olivia Andrews visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Pride of the Commonwealth Crown?

The majority of the celebratory events actually happened before the competition! I went swing dancing with friends and celebrated another year of vying for the Miss Kentucky crown the night before. It sent me into the Miss Danville competition with a fresh wave of confidence in the fact that I have an army of dancers behind me who love me no matter what! (Naturally, we all FaceTimed after and spent most of the time jumping up and down in celebration.) 

It’s important to note the competition I entered gives three titles, as well as the corresponding outstanding teen titles: Miss Danville, Miss Heart of Central Kentucky, and Miss Pride of the Commonwealth! I gained four new sisters that night and was able to continue my Miss KY sisterhood with Ashley-Shae Benton! 

What has been the biggest surprise about your time as Miss Pride of the Commonwealth?

I was most surprised at how much community support I received from an area of Kentucky I was formerly unfamiliar with. The people of Danville and Stanford Kentucky are so incredible, hardworking, helpful, and kind, and I am proud to be a member of their community as Miss Pride of the Commonwealth! Our director Reuben Harness is heavily involved in philanthropy and the Danville girls (my sister queens) and I are always out and about helping the community!

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

Onstage question threw me through a loop last year, so I’m a bit nervous about that—however—I have full confidence in my director and working with him to prepare stellar onstage Q&A skills! 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “The Miracle of Music: Music Therapy for All”?

My SII was originally The Miracle of Music: Helping Elderly Communities with the Power of Music. I was inspired by the care my late grandparents received in their nursing home and how my family gathered together to play music with them. Music was the most healing part of their end of life care and I want to make music therapy more accessible to those in need. As I researched music therapy programs and learned from my friends majoring in music therapy at the University of Louisville, I realized how incredible MT is for various communities. 

The Miss America Organization helps me create goals for incorporating music therapy programs into Kentucky’s health legislature and the resources to reach those goals! 

You’re studying Music Education at University of Louisville. Where do you see that field taking you?

My ultimate goal is to achieve a DMA in Choral Conducting and become Dr. Olivia Copland Andrews. I want to work as a professor in a collegiate choral program and take my choral ensembles to perform in a foreign country every year. I also want to create and participate in community outreach programs surrounding fine arts education and build a collaborative educational program with the surrounding middle and high school choir ensembles. 

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

As a performer, I enjoy connecting with audience members the most. Music is a universal language and it’s incredible to see people I love and people I have nothing in common with all be able to think and feel from music. 

I make a point to talk with audiences after performances and find out what they liked and what moved them. Everyone’s connection to the music is so beautiful and incredible. Some people are reminded of lost loved ones, reflecting on fond memories, or simply immersed in the music itself. 

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

This one is a no-brainer for me! I would be Princess Ariel! Fun fact about me: I own and swim in a Fin Fun mermaid tail! Being a mermaid helps me advocate for body positivity and find fun and unique ways to exercise! 

I love Ariel, because she is independent, brave, adventurous, and she isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and her interests. I see a lot of myself in her when she isn’t afraid to break the mold to go after her dreams…not to mention she sings along the way! 

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

I’ll be honest…I’m a bit of a romantic and I think baseball games are the perfect date! I’d ask a crush to go with me and spend the day talking, sharing high-calorie baseball field snacks, and riding the merry-go-round! (Bonus points if we wind up on the kiss cam ;)

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

I’d love to sing the National Anthem again! I was asked to sing at a Louisville Bats game a few months and I loved every second! Maybe I could sing the National Anthem for a Red Sox game someday! 

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That would definitely be fantastic! 

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Olivia during her journey as Miss Pride of the Commonwealth. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account. You should also check out her linktree! It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Olivia, and good luck!

Ashley-Shae Benton Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Ashley-Shae Benton is passionate about community empowerment, a talented singer, and the current Miss Cardinal Country. 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 Ashley-Shae Benton visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Cardinal Country crown?
My first order of business was thanking every single person who poured into me, supported me, or helped me in any way throughout my journey to the crown. My first Miss America Prelim was the Miss Cardinal Country competition four years ago, so this win has been four years in the making. I think the fact that it took me so long to secure the crown made it mean that much more to me. After thanking everyone, I was so excited about taking on the title that I actually began doing the job before truly celebrating. I took the time to establish my titleholder Instagram account and made sure to begin following my sister queens so I can stay up to date with the organization and any local opportunities that come up. After all of that, I finally celebrated by eating lots of tiramisu—don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t dieting prior to the competition… I just couldn’t justify spending so much money on a good piece of tiramisu without appropriate cause and I thought winning my dream crown was the perfect excuse!

What part of the upcoming Miss Kentucky competition are you most nervous about?
I’m honestly just really excited! I loved competing on the Miss

Kentucky stage last summer, where I placed Top 12, won the People’s Choice Award, and received the BeMediSpa #RuleYourWorld scholarship. This helped me gain so much confidence as pageant competitor, and I hope to surpass these accomplishments next summer. Though I am positive that I will be nervous as competition nears, I am a firm believer that nerves can be turned into positive energy that will radiate on stage!

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Cardinal Country?
My biggest goal as Miss Cardinal Country 2022 is to visit every elementary, middle, and high school in Louisville to promote the spirit of volunteerism and the Saving GRACE platform. Additionally, I would like to volunteer or donate to at least one philanthropic cause each month and promote it well on my titleholder and Saving GRACE social media pages. Running social media and making these appearances with kiddos would be a huge part of my job if I were to become Miss Kentucky 2022, so it is important for me to be fully prepared (well, as prepared as I can be!) to hit the ground running if I am given that opportunity. Like I said earlier, being Miss Cardinal Country is a dream job, so I want to make sure that I am giving this position everything I have as a titleholder and treating it with the same fervor I would as Miss Kentucky. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Saving GRACE: Providing Growth, Resources, Action, and Community Empowerment”?

Growing up, I was taught very quickly the importance of giving back to my community in any capacity that I can, when I am able to do so. Throughout my time in my hometown, I was one of the first people called anytime that a new service opportunity or need arose. However, when I moved to Louisville, I simply didn’t have the connections needed to find volunteer opportunities. Throughout my first few years of my undergraduate education at the University of Louisville, I had conversations with so many people who had a similar experience with service. These students wanted to be actively giving back to the community but had no idea where to start. That’s when I envisioned Saving GRACE, a Facebook group, geared towards folks across Kentucky who are interested in giving back. The goal of this page is to help volunteers find volunteer opportunities and to help organizations find the volunteers that they desperately needed. Since its beginning two years ago, Saving GRACE has been connected with over 900 people across Kentucky. I hope to reach over 1,000 Kentuckians by the end of 2021!

As a talented vocalist, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?
It’s absolutely terrifying! I have been performing since I was 6

years old and still get so nervous before taking the stage. I have a background in musical theatre, so much of my artistic expression has been wrapped up in acting, dancing, and singing. Despite this, singing on stage has always caused me the most nerves and still does! Every time I choose to sing on a stage now, it is an active reminder to face my fears. Afterwards, I feel like I am on Cloud 9 and couldn’t be prouder of myself. I’m very transparent about conquering this fear and I really hope this helps encourage other girls to face their fears, take the stage, and be a star for at least 90 seconds. 

You host a podcast, “Unfiltered, Out Loud”. What can you tell me about it?

Unfiltered, Out Loud is a podcast which allows me to express the hardships and struggles that I have walked through and discuss what I wish I knew when I was going through the experience. I made this podcast in the hopes that someone who is going through a struggle, or struggles, like mine can find it and find some comfort. I like for people to know that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences and life really can get better, even if they feel like they’ve reached their lowest low. I approach these topics without sugar-coating and let bad things be bad and good things be good. My perspective is somewhere between a realist and a hopeful, so I think it is very raw and uplifting. Anyone can stream Unfiltered, Out Loud on most podcasting platforms!

You also co-host a TikTok account and YouTube channel. What is that experience like?
Outside of pageants, podcasting, and practicing medicine, my

favorite way to artistically express myself is through video creation on TikTok and YouTube with my girlfriend, Sierra. We started our content creation journey in spring of 2020 with quarantine boredom on TikTok and it has now evolved into, both, a super fun hobby, and the best job. We have connected with over 300K+ folks, mostly within the LGBTQ+ community, on TikTok by sharing a glimpse into our relationship online. Our content focuses on couple pranks, couple comedy, date nights, and everything in between. After seeing some success on this platform, we decided to expand to YouTube for content creation, as well. On YouTube, we focus on similar topics but prefer our long-form content to be more valuable to the viewer so we often include our personal, queer stories in the hopes that other queer folks can be empowered by them and love themselves a little extra. 

This summer you had the opportunity to attend your first baseball game. What do you remember from that day?

The Louisville Bats game that I attended this summer was an absolute blast! I am a big foodie, so my girlfriend made sure to get us tickets for a game on a $1 snack night. Of course, this meant that I had to try EVERYTHING—popcorn, cotton candy, icees, funnel cakes, you name it… I probably had it that day. All the snacks were delicious and definitely added to getting the full baseball experience. Aside from the yummy food, I also vividly remember not getting the memo that the team color had changed. I was convinced their colors were purple and insisted on wearing purple to be a true fan at my first game. Needless to say, I was the only purple shirt-wearer in a sea of red… Don’t worry though, I’ll be in the right colors next time-- I’ve already told my girlfriend that we have to go back next season!

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?
I know it’s a little cliché, but I would love to throw the first pitch at a baseball game as a Miss America titleholder. I am not particularly athletic, so I doubt it would be a stellar pitch, but I think it would be a great step out of my comfort zone and would be such a good story for my kids one day. Basically, the Louisville Bats need to hit me up before my reign is over!

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That would be a great experience!

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

As Ashley-Shae continues her time as Miss Cardinal Country, I encourage you to check out her title's Instagram account! It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on! 

You also definitely want to check out her personal social media presence. Go find her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Also be sure to listen to her podcast! So many wonderful options!

I also want to wish Ashley-Shae luck when she competes for Miss Kentucky! It would be fantastic to have the first Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

Thanks again Ashley-Shae, and good luck!

Molly Sullivan Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Molly Sullivan is a pianist, the current Miss Goldenrod, and (surprisingly) a Red Sox fan. I was

hoping she'd be willing to discuss those topics with us, along with a few more. I'm glad she agreed, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading everything she had to say.

So, let’s see what happens when Molly Sullivan visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate being crowned Miss Goldenrod?

The first thing I did when I won Miss Goldenrod was FaceTime Justin Patton, who has helped me a lot with growing in my communication skills.  Then I went and got Chick-fil-A because I’m obsessed with their lemonade and chicken and fries!  

What did you learn about yourself at the recent Miss Kentucky competition that will help you in future pageants?

The biggest thing I learned from competing at Miss Kentucky this year is to just have fun. I was the youngest contestant at only 18 years old! So I was just so excited to have the opportunity to be there. I watched other girls get so stressed out that they weren’t having fun. Miss Kentucky definitely taught me to not get stressed out at upcoming pageants and to just have fun with all of my friends! 

What has surprised you the most about your time as Miss Goldenrod?

Considering I’m only 18, winning Miss Goldenrod alone was a beautiful surprise! The biggest surprise to me that has come along with being Miss Goldenrod is becoming best friends with my sister queens. Abbie, Alex, and Makayela have all become like real sisters to me. They are all older than me and they really took me under their wing and showed me the ropes of being a title holder for Miss Kentucky! 

How did you select your platform, “Be the Sunshine”?

My platform Be The Sunshine is from experiences I had growing up. Everyday my mom told me to “be the sunshine” and at an early age that meant for me to be nice to other kids. As I grew the meaning also grew with it.  I went through a time in my life that I didn’t love myself and that I was really struggling with making friends. Once I learned to love myself I noticed that I was being a better light in other people’s lives. So, now my platform, “Be The Sunshine” is all about inspiring and encouraging people to radiate positivity through social media and every day life! 

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

I’ve been playing piano since I was 5 and so my favorite part about

piano being my talent for Miss Kentucky is that I get to share my passion with not only the judges, but also the audience! 

How does a Kentucky titleholder become a Red Sox fan?

My dad has always been a Red Sox fan and the MLB Network stays on our family tv at home practically 24/7. I’ve grown up loving the Red Sox and have always wanted to travel to Boston to see Fenway and watch them play. Finally this year we made it, we took a family road trip and drove to Boston. 

You recently were able to take the pregame tour at Fenway Park. What was your favorite part about the tour?

My favorite part of the Pre game tour was definitely getting to watch some of my favorite players warm up and have batting practice!  I’ve watched them on tv for so long so getting to see them in person was an amazing experience. 

You were also able to attend a Red Sox game at Fenway. What was your favorite part about that experience?

I had so many favorite parts of the Red Sox game! Getting to meet Wally and get a picture was so fun. I also loved watching Pearce hit a homerun over the green monster! But of course my absolute favorite part was watching the Red Sox win! 

How will the Red Sox finish the 2018 season?

My prediction for the Red Sox for this season is to be World Series champions! They are really a great looking team this year and I think they can pull it off. 

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Sounds perfect to me!

As usual, I want to give tons of thanks to Molly for doing this interview. It's always fun for me to interview titleholders from a new state. I also want to thank her for providing the pictures to accompany the interview. They went along perfectly, and made it a lot more fun!

As Molly continues her time as Miss Goldenrod, I encourage you to follow her on her Instagram page as well as the Instagram page for her platform!

I also want to wish Molly luck as she starts competing in the next round of local competitions! I'm sure we're all hoping she earns another shot at the Miss Kentucky crown!

Thanks again Molly, and good luck!