Sophia Lovis Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Sophia Lovis is a singer, a Red Sox fan, and the current Miss Merrimack. I’m thrilled she was

willing to take some time out of her schedule to visit with us to

discuss those topics, and a few more. I’m sure you’ll love reading everything she had to say!

So, let’s see what happens when Sophia Lovis visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Merrimack crown?

While I wish my answer was more exciting, I celebrated my crown with a good night's sleep (and by that I mean I slept for about thirteen hours that night!) Our check-in time that day was 10 AM, and by the time I was done taking pictures and helping clean up it was easily 11 at night. Considering the time I also needed to get ready in the morning and drive over, as well as go home and take my makeup off, I think I deserved it!

You didn't sign up to compete for Miss Merrimack until the last minute. What made you finally decide to compete?
As a current senior, I have been looking at colleges and the overwhelming cost of it has really sunk in over the last few months. So when I saw Miss Merrimack was offering a $1200 scholarship I simply asked myself “What do I have to lose?” and, well, here I am!

This spring will be your first time competing for the Miss New Hampshire crown. What part of that competition are you most nervous about?
I’m most nervous for Onstage Question. The whole fishbowl concept is seriously nerve-wracking, and I think it’s a competition that you’re either prepared for or you’re not. To prepare, my mom and I have been reviewing current events every day for about fifteen minutes, discussing both sides and forming educated opinions. While I may not know what question I’ll get, I’m going to make sure I am as prepared as possible.

How did you select your platform: Be BIG - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America?
I have been a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America since 2016, and my little sister has been my best friend and mini-me since December 6th of that year. We aren’t matched anymore because she does not attend the same location where we would meet, but we text all the time and are constantly in touch. For my Little, it’s a fun, reliable, and encouraging relationship. For me? Nothing beats that smile when I walk through the door (and of course the bear hug).

What is your favorite part about performing your talent onstage?
Talent is not my strongest competition, but I love to be able to stand on stage with all eyes on just me and simply sing. I might not be the best singer technically, but I truly love it, and I think that shows onstage.

You make appearances as Disney Princesses. Which Disney princess would you say is most like you?
I would definitely say that Anna is most like me-which is funny, because she is one of the only princesses I don’t play! Anna, like myself, is bubbly, energetic, and fiercely loyal to her sister. And if you ask anyone that knows me, they can certainly attest to all those traits.

Which current Red Sox player is your favorite? Why?
My current favorite Red Sox player is definitely JD Martinez. He brings a much-needed maturity to a young team, and could be the MVP of the league.

Is there a feature or activity at Fenway Park that you'd especially like to experience?
Before I die, I would love to throw out the first pitch for the Sox. It’s totally on my bucket list, I just need to figure out how to get to a place that I would be worthy of that!

If you had an extra ticket to a Red Sox game, who would you take with you? Why?
I would take one of my friends from the Boudreau family. They’re baseball fans (that is seriously the understatement of the century) and I think it would be a blast to take one of them. They are extremely loud while watching a game at home, so I can’t even imagine how hyped up one of them would be at a real live game!

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I hope she finds a way to throw out that first pitch!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Sophia for doing this interview. I also want to thank her for providing so many amazing pictures to accompany the interview. They make it a lot more entertaining for everyone.

As Sophia continues her time as Miss Merrimack, I encourage you to follow her on her official Miss Merrimack Facebook page. It’ll be worth your time!

I also want to wish Sophia the best of luck this spring as she competes for the Miss New Hampshire crown! It would be incredible to have a second consecutive Section 36 visitor take home that title! 

Thanks again Sophia, and good luck!

Visit a Visitor!

I’m sure everyone remembers my most recent visitor. Miss Merrimack Kylee Kurto was nice enough to visit just last week, and her interview has been very popular ever since.

But, now you have the chance to turn the tables.

You have the chance to visit her!

Kylee will be making an appearance at the Lowell Spinners game against the Hudson Valley Renegades this Friday August 4^th as part of their annual “Princess Night”! This is a fun event where fans are encouraged to join in and dress in their best princess costumes.

But, it gets better.

Starting at 5:30, Kylee will be available to sign autographs! She’ll have head shots ready to sign for you, which is great. But if you have your own item, she’ll happily sign that as well. She’ll even

pose for a picture with you, if you ask her really nicely. (Wouldn’t it be fun to ask her to autograph a Section 36 logo, and then hold it in your picture with her?)

Get there early, though, because Kylee has more to do. She’ll be throwing out the first pitch before the game. So, make sure you have time to meet her, and be in your seats in plenty of time to see her fire a strike.

After that, you’re free to enjoy the game as the future Red Sox battle the future Rays. An AL East rivalry game!

Not sure I can imagine a better way to spend an evening at LeLacheur Park!

Oh, and when you meet Kylee be sure to tell her how much you enjoyed her visit to Section 36!

Kylee Kurto Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Kylee Kurto is a talented blogger, a Red Sox fan, and the current Miss Merrimack. As we enter the final

few months of her reign, she was nice enough to visit with us to discuss those topics, and more. I’m sure you’ll be glad she did.

So, let’s see what happens when Kylee Kurto visits Section 36!

What made you decide to compete for the Miss Merrimack title?

Last August was the first time I ever competed with the Miss America Organization and actually my first pageant ever. After placing in three out of four competitions I began to feel defeated. The girls I had met through the program encouraged me to keep participating. Two in particular, Katie Masso-Glidden (Miss Captial Area) and Brooke Gatchell (Miss Souhegan Valley) worked with me one-on-one in every phase of competition. In November I finally felt prepared enough to compete and that is how I ended up winning Miss Merrimack! It was also a funny coincidence that I attended Merrimack College at the time, it was a perfect fit for my first title. 

What has been the most surprising part of being Miss Merrimack?

The amount of work and time that goes into being a title holder. Since it was my first year people told me what to expect but you don't really know until you experience it. Trying to graduate college and prepare for Miss New Hampshire was not an easy task. I have to thank my family and my director who helped me get through several mental break downs in the weeks leading up to the competition. But I wouldn't take it back in a heartbeat. Miss New Hampshire exceeded all my expectations and I made Top 12! Hard work always pays off.

For the upcoming Miss America season, you changed your platform to the "National Eating Disorder Association: Feeding Hope". What pushed you to make that change?

When I was told I needed a platform I didn't have a clue what I should do. My mom suggested a rare disease our family friend was battling with and I ran with it. But by the end of last competition season I felt like I really couldn't connect to it and be the advocate I needed to be. So I decided it was time to choose a different platform, one I was truly passionate about and that was my battle with my weight a few years ago. I have received tremendous support from everyone and even have connected with another competitor who has a similar platform. We are planning to do fundraisers, walks and campaigns together.

You’re a fellow blogger. What is “Fun, Fit & Flirty” all about?

Fun, Fit & Flirty just had its first Birthday this past March! It is a blog I initially created to publicize my eating disorder and it has turned into a full-blown blogging site. I wanted to make it a safe place where anyone can go to read or privately share their thoughts with me. A section of my blog features a campaign I created titled "Love Your Lines". This campaign ties along with my platform and means to love all your beauty scars no matter how big or small. I love writing. I don't do it for other people and I certainly do not have perfect grammar but writing has sparked many ideas for me and that includes writing my own book.

If you can’t sit in Section 36, where do you (or where would you) like to sit to watch a Red Sox game?

If I couldn't sit in Section 36 I would love to be right behind home plate. That's where a lot of the action happens and I might get a little TV time, I am not camera shy!

Who was your favorite player growing up? Why?

As a kid I was head over heels for Jacoby Ellsbury. At ten years old I was less concerned about the game and more concerned about the serious crush I had on him.

Which young Red Sox player are you most excited about?

The young player I am most excited about is Andrew Benintendi. He is definitely a player everyone should keep their eyes on!

This is the first Red Sox season in a while without David Ortiz. What’s your favorite Ortiz memory?

Big Papi, what a legend. I don't think I can pinpoint one memory but every time I watched a game with my dad he was hitting home run after home run. What I really love about David Ortiz is his commitment to charity. The David Ortiz Children fund was created to help children in New England and in the Dominican access pediatric care. 

How do you think the Red Sox will finish the 2017 season?

So far the Red Sox are looking great! While still holding down the 1st place spot I am hoping we can win ourselves the 2017 World Series Championship!

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Hard to argue with that analysis!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Kylee for doing this interview. She did a fantastic job. I also want to thank her for providing the pictures to go along with the interview. They add a lot to the post, and make it much more fun to read.

As Kylee continues her time as Miss Merrimack, I encourage you to follow her on the official Facebook page. Of course, you should also check out her blog Fun, Fit & Flirty as often as you can!

And, I want to wish Kylee luck as she enters the next Miss America season. Especially as she takes aim at the Miss Liberty title on Aug 12! 

Thanks again Kylee, and good luck!