Katie Farr Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Katie Farr is passionate about eating disorder awareness, a talented singer, and the current Miss Springfield Rt 66. I was so glad she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Katie Farr visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Springfield RT 66 crown?

After winning the crown I went to Andy's Frozen Custard and enjoyed my favorite dessert, a vanilla concrete with peanut butter and Reece's peanut butter cups. (as you can now tell, I am a huge fan of peanut butter)

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Springfield RT 66?

As Miss Springfield Rt 66 my goal is to support my college community and give back to the area that has given so much to me in the two short years I've been a part of it. I am also becoming a Feed the Facts presenter through the Missouri Eating Disorders Association, and I would love to educate at least 500 students in the Springfield community and my hometown of Jefferson City before the Miss Missouri pageant in June. 

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

Having one year of experience at state is quelling most of my nerves. What I am most nervous about is not showing my full self to the judges and getting in my head about the competition as a whole. I want to focus on enjoying the experience and showcase the hard work it took for me to get there.

How did you select your community service initiative, “Altogether Beautiful: Eating Disorder Awareness”?

My CSI is founded in my own struggles with an eating disorder in high school. There was no education or awareness in my area and that led me to suffer for much longer. When I shared my eating disorder journey for the first time, it was a testimony for class. We were asked to find a bible verse to go along with our testimonies and mine has turned into not only the beckon of my recovery but also my CSI, Altogether Beautiful. "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." Song of Solomon 4:7

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

I have been singing since I was a little girl. For a while, I was terrified to sing for audiences other than my family. After I took that leap of faith, I caught the bug for performing.I performed in numerous shows and fell in love with sharing my talents on stage. Now that I have retired from my musical theater days, it brings me so much joy to be able to perform on the Miss Missouri stage. Singing and performing has always been a way for me to truly let loose.

You are currently a student at Missouri State University. Where do you see your studies taking you?

I am currently studying public relations with minors in leadership and marketing. I want to be in a position that allows me to create connections and impact the community. I would love to work for a university, or organization in a strategic communication/marketing capacity. Thankfully, I am only a sophomore, so I have some time to narrow down that plan. 

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

Well, I have already had the pleasure of playing Ariel, Belle, & Cinderella throughout my time in the theater world. I would be Elsa. She is a staple of a woman accepting herself and finding her power. Also being able to sing like Idina Menzel and never let the cold winters in Missouri bother me would be an added bonus.

If you had an extra ticket to see a baseball game between the Red Sox and the Cardinals, who would you take with you? Why?

My dad. He is the biggest Cardinal fan I know. He is the reason I am so in love with Cardinal baseball.

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

I think I would die a happy woman if I could sing the national anthem at a St. Louis Cardinal game and then throw the first pitch. It is a bucket list item of mine, and I know my dad would be freaking out. 

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Oh I hope she gets to do that! 

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Katie during her journey as Miss Springfield Rt 66. 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 Katie, and good luck!

Marissa Johnson Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Marissa Johnson is passionate about the Pink Ribbon Initiative, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Northeast. 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 Marissa Johnson visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Northeast crown?

With a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! I didn't have time to eat much during the day and with a long ride home, my celebratory dinner was a sandwich my mom had packed me. And in that moment, it was the best pb and j I had ever had. When we got home, I took a traditional "sleeping with the crown" picture, thanked both of my parents one last time and went to bed.

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

The true love and support from every one of the other local titleholders. It may sound cheesy, but people call it a sisterhood for a reason. I have never been surrounded by so many intelligent, strong and ambitious young women. But what's more than that is the unconditional love and support they showed me even before I was officially named Miss Northeast. It's easy for women to feel threatened or intimidated by each other, but these sisters of mine surprised me with their genuine and immediate affection toward me, and I hope they realize how appreciative I am and how loved they are too.

What is something Callie Cox has done as Miss Missouri that you would want to emulate?

Where to begin with Miss Callie? She truly is a light. We met once briefly at another local a month before Miss Northeast, and when she saw me again, she remembered my name, my university and asked me how my family and classes were. That's the kind of person you want to root for. I think it is so important for any titleholder, especially on a state level, to be as personable and down to earth as she is. She has such character and integrity, and I want to represent my community in that way. Not everyone may agree with you, but it is titleholder's job to treat everyone with dignity, love and respect.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “The Pink Ribbon Initiative”?

I have a strong connection to breast cancer; my grandmother passed away when I was 11 to the disease and my mom is a survivor. To me, breast cancer is so much more than just wearing pink in October. It's not just about awareness anymore. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and although it's rare, men can get it too. I want The Pink Ribbon Initiative to be a resource for education, encouragement, and opportunity for people affected by breast cancer and empower people to take control of their health, regardless of background, age, gender or class. 

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

I have been dancing since age two, so it may be hard for some to believe that after twenty years the ethereal feeling of being on stage has not gone away, but I would not do it if I did not love it. But the best part of dancing, I think with any art, is that I am entertaining people. Dance makes people feel things and gives them a temporary escape. To know that my performance made an audience just as happy it made me is so fulfilling. 

You’re a dance major at Oklahoma City University. Where do you see that field taking you?

I like to call my dreams for post-grad "the Big Three"; move to New York and work toward Broadway, work for the Disney Company in Orlando, and/or perform on cruise lines. One, three or none of these goals may come to fruition, but with excellent training and big passion, I cannot help feeling like a job in entertainment is waiting for me. My ultimate goal, however, is to one day open my own dance studio. I have always adored children and teaching, and sharing my love of dance with people of all ages and abilities would be full-circle for me. 

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

I would definitely choose Cinderella. Not only is she my mom's favorite princess, she is the epitome of grace and kindness. Cinderella was loving to everyone no matter how she was treated; she worked hard and with a little faith and magic, made all of her dreams come true. Besides, I would love to dance at a ball in a beautiful blue gown and glass slippers, and I think being friends with talking mice would be fun! Luckily, my job with Enchanted Events allows me to tap into dozens of Disney and Marvel characters, all while bringing smiles to children’s faces.

If you had an extra ticket to a Royals-Cardinals game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my big brother Alexander to a Royals-Cardinals game because he is the one who really taught me a love and appreciation for baseball. Plus, he's my best friend! I always love spending time with him, especially now that we're grown up and don't get to see each other as often. I know it would be a great day at Busch Stadium!  

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

Honestly, I think it would be really fun to be really cool to be a member of Team Fredbird, the entertainment and promotional team for the Cardinals. I have lots of experience in cheer and dance for sports, so I think I would do a great job pumping up the crowd on the field as well as connecting with fans in the community. 

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That would be so much fun!

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

As Marissa continues her time as Miss Northeast, 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! 

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

Thanks again Marissa, and good luck!

Callie Cox Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Callie Cox is passionate about inclusion, a talented singer, and the current Miss Missouri. I was so glad that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. I was also excited that she was the first visitor from the state of Missouri!

So, let's see what happens when Callie Cox visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Missouri crown?
After packing up all of my things from the dressing room, my parents and I drove 20 minutes to Denny’s and had a pancake celebration at 11pm. My parents are my biggest and greatest supporters, so having that time with just the two of them after probably the wildest night of my life was a very sweet moment I will keep in my heart for a long, long time. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Missouri competition that will help you at Miss America?

You know, I really learned the importance of taking time to be in silence. I feel like Miss Missouri week was a whirlwind. I loved chatting with my Miss MO sister and spending time with the teens during rehearsals and constantly thanking volunteers, but that time in my dorm room where I was able to just sit and soak in what was happening in silence continued to ground me amidst the chaos that is competition week and that is something I will for sure be taking into Miss America. I mean, I’m competing for MISS AMERICA. My time in Connecticut is something I want to never forget, no matter what happens. 

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Missouri?
I really really want to shine a light on businesses that employ individuals with disabilities across the state of Missouri. They are such an integral part of inclusion and they deserve all the recognition! 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “People First”?

People First was truly a no brainer for me. The trajectory of my life has been greatly impacted by my friend, Nick, who has truly changed my life for the better when we became close friends in middle school. We both have a huge love for musical theatre and the arts and when we were partnered together for a performance in seventh grade, I saw him as a performer who craved a stage and not someone with a diagnosis of Autism… Through this epiphany in middle school, I decided I wanted it to be my life’s goal to advocate for inclusion and the Miss America Organization is the perfect platform to do this.

As a talented singer, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?
I love a stage. Especially when I'm able to interact with the audience. The pieces I choose to perform are typically jazzy and allow me to add so much personality and interaction within my performance. That’s definitely my favorite part! 

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

People feel seen and heard by me. My mission in life is for every person I interact with to feel valued and important. My heart is full when I am able to do this for all individuals. 

If you could be a Disney Character for a week, who would you choose? Why?
Most definitely Rapunzel from Tangled. She’s driven, has the cutest sidekick and really isn’t the "typical" princess who is prim and proper…. Which I love! 

If you had an extra ticket to a Royals-Cardinals baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?
Miss America 2017, Savvy Shields. I would love to personally receive wisdom and advice from her in a casual way where there isn’t any pressure to have the perfect sentence or speech. It would be so fun to just enjoy a frozen lemonade and ask her questions about her journey not just as a past Miss America, but also her life outside and after the crown. 

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?
I would love to sing the National Anthem at a Cardinals game… And something may be in the works so stay tuned! 

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That would be exciting! 

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

As Callie continues her time as Miss Missouri, I encourage you to follow her title's Instagram and Facebook accounts. You should also check out the official Miss Missouri website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on! 

 
I also want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss America crown this winter. It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Callie, and good luck!