Lila Szyryj Visits Section 36!

Magic Dreams Productions

Section 36 had another visitor! Lila Szyryj is passionate about the news, an associate producer, and the current Miss Wisconsin. 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 Lila Szyryj visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Wisconsin crown?

One of the first things I remember saying after the commotion of crowning was, ‘where’s my family?’ All I wanted to do was to spend time with them. My idea of celebrating meant spending time with the people who had helped me get to this point in the first place. Naturally, we ordered a pizza and stayed up all night chatting. It was exactly what I needed after a week of competition. 

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

Education. Not only do I hope every person learns something new in every conversation they have with me, I would like to implement journalism education into elementary and secondary education. Our children are lacking media education and it’s time to empower them with knowledge. 

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

I wouldn’t say I’m nervous about anything –  I think the word would be excited. Competing at Miss America has been a goal long in the making so I’m eager and excited to have that opportunity. As a competitor, you never truly know if you’ll get this opportunity until it happens. I’m setting any nerves aside to take it all in and enjoy it. 

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “Breaking Down Breaking News”?

My mother immigrated to the United States when she was nearly 30, leaving her entire family and friends behind to build the life she wanted. She left a home that doesn’t offer freedom of speech, public libraries, or even Google search. Watching local news was her way of learning and integrating into her new life and culture. Studying and becoming a journalist is an ode to my mother and my way of serving my community.

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

Music is a universal language. Playing for an audience means everyone can feel what I’m feeling in a shared moment. It’s a different level of relating to someone – something that may even be difficult to share with words can be spoken through music. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I used to be big into cardio until I was introduced to the importance of weight-lifting. I even talked with one of the girls backstage of how any body can start and feel the benefits of lifting. My routine involves a combination of both! 

You graduated last year with a degree in journalism. Where do you see that field taking you?

Right now, I continue my work at NBC15 in Madison as an Associate Producer. I look forward to working my way on air after my year as Miss Wisconsin, and even one day working as a national news correspondent. 

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

My mom! She’s never been to a professional sports game and what a treat it would be to take her! Growing up, she was a pretty big sports fan, so getting to spend time at a game with her would be awesome. 

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

I’ve always wanted to throw the first pitch at a baseball game and was actually able to do just that at the Timber Rattlers game recently. Now that that’s crossed off my bucket list, maybe my next goal will be the first pitch at an MLB game! 

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Hope she gets that opportunity!

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Lila during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account and website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything. 

Thanks again Lila, and good luck!

Grace Stanke Visits Section 36!

Photo: Denise Watrous

Section 36 had another visitor! Grace Stanke is passionate about clean energy, a talented violinist, and the current Miss Wisconsin. 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 Grace Stanke visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Wisconsin crown?

I was lucky enough to celebrate becoming Miss Wisconsin with family and friends at the after-party that the Miss Wisconsin Organization puts on. I spent so much time with people at that after-party that I quite literally forgot to eat, so about 5 hours after being crowned Miss Wisconsin I was able to get some hard earned Chik-Fil-A!

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

The biggest surprise was the amount of support I received from the nuclear industry. As a nuclear engineer, I am breaking stereotypes in the Miss America Organization. However, as a Miss Wisconsin, I am breaking stereotypes in the nuclear industry. I was pretty nervous about how the industry would respond to an undergraduate student becoming Miss Wisconsin! However, I have been continuously congratulated and supported in a variety of ways, including three partnerships supporting my mission as Miss Wisconsin.

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

I'm pretty nervous about wardrobe - I've never been the person to really care about wardrobe too much, and it always feels like wardrobe is an intense part of preparation for the Miss America Competition. However, I have made sure to find wardrobe that I feel confident in, and that I know is 100% me as I continue to prepare for the Miss America Competition!

How did you select your social impact initiative, "Clean Energy, Clean Future"?

As a nuclear engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I have become heavily involved in the energy industry. When choosing my social impact initiative, I asked myself what I knew I could talk about for hours on end and is something that society needs to change. That answer came down to switching America to zero-carbon energy with a heavy emphasis on nuclear energy, along with dispelling the myths surrounding nuclear power. I've had the pleasure of working with the nations largest fleet of nuclear generating stations, and am excited to share my work experience with the nation as I create public information campaigns for the general public to learn more about nuclear energy.

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

There's something about practicing a piece to the point of complete muscle memory. When I get to this point, I'm able to more of think about the audience and having fun on stage rather than focusing on emphasizing a note, bringing out a certain dynamic, or making sure I hit the shift into sixth position just right. I love to be in the moment and soak it all in, and that is best done when I have that muscle memory down pat!

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

Judy Hopps from Zootopia! She is paving the way in her industry, in the same way I intend to do in mine.

You're currently working on a degree in nuclear engineering. Where do you see that field taking you?

There are many options I could pursue. I could work in the medicinal field, academic field, research, the power industry, policy, and more. I personally plan on entering the power industry to help create and generate zero-carbon energy for the nation. I plan on spending most of my early career there, but I would like to end my career in either management or in policy work as I continue to advocate for the nuclear industry.

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

I would take my dad with me! We honestly aren't a huge sports family, and I think we would have a fantastic time being engineers and absolutely dissecting the sport and probably solving the physics equations of what velocity the ball hit after being hit or something along those lines. It might take the fun out of the game for some people, but it would be our cup of tea! (Maybe we should pursue positions in sports analytics!)

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

I would LOVE to see the organs that play the music in the stadiums. I recently learned that some stadiums still have real organ instruments and hire organists to play them. Being able to see those and play them would be incredible!

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Since Fenway is one of those parks, I definitely understand the appeal! 

As always, I want to thank Grace for visiting with us.

As Grace continues her time as Miss Wisconsin, I encourage you to check out her title's Website, Facebook, and Instagram. 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 wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Grace, and good luck!

Jennifer Schmidt Visits Section 36!

Photo Denise Watrous

Section 36 had another visitor! Jennifer Schmidt is passionate about controlling diabetes, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Wisconsin. 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 Jennifer Schmidt visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Wisconsin crown?

I did a taco tour of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, eating at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants with my friends and family everyday for a week! The months leading up to the Miss Wisconsin competition were so busy with work and preparations that I did not get to spend much time with my loved ones. Aftering winning Miss Wisconsin, I wanted to celebrate by sharing my favorite food with my favorite people. 

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Wisconsin?

Of course! My goals are:

• to use my professional nonprofit experience to establish a donor development program to increase the Miss Wisconsin scholarship fund.
• work with my social impact initiative to bring funding, resources, and programs back to Wisconsin that were lost when the American Diabetes Association (ADA) permanently closed their Wisconsin office.
• make Wisconsin proud at the 100 year anniversary Miss America competition.

I am proud to share that I am currently working towards each of these! 

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

Everything happens for a reason. In May of 2020, the Miss Wisconsin competition was postponed and the ADA permanently closed their Wisconsin office in response to the pandemic and a lack of funding. I struggled to find my purpose knowing that the job I pursued for 8 years no longer existed. But then I realized that, while I lost my job, Wisconsin lost a valuable resource. I felt compelled to relentlessly pursue the job of Miss Wisconsin so that I could promote my social impact initiative, “Diabetes, YOU Have the Control” and fill the void left in the Wisconsin diabetes community. I am certain that, if I had not lost my job at the ADA, my name would not have been called as Miss Wisconsin 2021. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Diabetes, YOU Have the Control”?

My entire life I have watched my grandmother struggle with type 2 diabetes. I have watched her struggle with the daily responsibility of monitoring her blood sugar, the financial burden of insulin, and the terrible health complications of the disease. My grandmother inspired, “Diabetes, YOU Have the Control” and my initiative to eliminate risk, unnecessary suffering, and tragic death caused by type 2 diabetes. 

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

Aw! Thank you for saying I am talented! Growing up, I was incredibly shy, however, dancing was a way for me to express myself when I did not have the words to. While I am not too shy anymore, my favorite thing about performing my talent is being vulnerable and sharing a story or message with the audience. 

You have a degree in Rehabilitaion/Psychology. Where would you like to see that degree take you?

At first, after graduating with my bachelors degree in rehabilitation psychology, I wanted to pursue my masters in occupational therapy. However, I had a lot of student loan debt so I decided to take a few years to work and save money. I did not know what I wanted to do but I knew who I wanted to work for. My involvement in the Miss America Organization, work with my social impact initiative, and years of volunteering with the ADA ultimately led to my employment as their Manager of Donor Relations. Realizing my skill and enthusiasm for fundraising, I am now working as a nonprofit professional and pursuing a career in donor relations and fundraising.

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

I would choose Princess Jasmine from Aladdin because I always thought Aladdin was the cutest prince! Haha! ;)

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

I would take my godmother. She is the biggest Brewers fan I know! Also because, when I was a senior in high school, my parents lost their small business and they struggled to find jobs without college degrees. At the same time I learned the value of a college degree, I did not think there was a way for me to pay for one. With the scholarship dollars that I earned competing in the Miss America Organization, I had just enough to pay for my first semester of college. After my first semester, my godmother cosigned my loans and helped finance the rest of my college education. Without her I would not be able to call myself a first generation college graduate so I would take her in a heartbeat!

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

Unlike my godmother, I have to admit, I am not the biggest baseball fan. However, as a former Milwaukee Bucks Dancer, I am definitely a basketball fan! I would love to be invited to attend the Milwaukee Bucks home opener as Miss Wisconsin, show off my Show Us Your Shoes Parade costume and shoes, and celebrate the 2021 NBA world champions as they receive their rings! 

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I love how she found a way to mention the Bucks championship! 

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

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

You can also check out her personal Instagram, and the Facebook page for the Miss WI Org.

And, if you'd like book Jennifer for an appearance, check out how to do that HERE.

 
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 Jennifer, and good luck!

Glo Konieczny Visits Section 36!

Photo: Uneven Pavement Prod

Section 36 has another visitor! Glo Konieczny is passionate about fighting brain cancer, and the current Miss West Allis. I was excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. I was also thrilled that she is the first titleholder to visit from the state of Wisconsin!

So, let's see what happens when Glo Konieczny visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss West Allis crown?

This is still a blur to me, I remember them saying my name and then nothing until it was over! My parents came over to me and they had been crying and gave me a hug. It was not real! Afterwards I called my grandma, then got some ice cream with my family! 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss West Allis competition that will help you when you compete for Miss Wisconsin? 

I learned a lot from having this crown for over a year now, I know that I just have to trust the process and know that what is meant to be will happen and not to put too much pressure on myself. There is a reason I won when I did and recognize that my experiences make me, me and not try to be anyone else!

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

Especially with holding this title for two years, there is so much time to really make a difference in the community and leave a lasting impact which is such a unique opportunity that I feel so blessed to have! One appearance I was especially excited for was the Wisconsin State Fair which is held in West Allis so I am hopeful to have the chance to participate this year. I would also really love to increase the overall number of appearances that I do, so it will make it easier for the next Miss West Allis to continue being present in the community. Finally, I'd love to make a connection to local businesses, schools, and other places in the West Allis area as it is truly a bustling city with a lot of things to do and fun experiences. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Fighting Brain Cancer: Together We Can Win”?

I have a huge connection with cancer initiatives. My Dad passed away from Brain Cancer when I was 7 and it has taught me a lot about understanding grief, living in each moment, and how to grow up in a unique situation. My SII has evolved since I won Miss West Allis and I have started to use it as an educational opportunity to help kids understand grief overall especially when it comes to terminal illnesses like cancer and how we can speak to kids about grief. 

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

I really have always enjoyed being on stage! There is something so fun about the adrenaline of performing and connecting with the audience. My goal on stage is to help the audience leave whatever is happening and just enjoy something different for a few minutes! It is something we don't get often so I love getting out of my comfort zone and getting lost in the moment. 

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

oooo.. I could see myself enjoying being Rapunzel from Tangled for the week (once she is released from the tower of course!) I love the animal friends she has, the kingdom is amazing, plus I have always wanted to learn how to be good at painting like she is! Rapunzel is also fiercely independent and will do whatever her mind is set on which I love and feel connected to. 

You run your own photography studio. What do you enjoy about being behind the camera?

I really love capturing moments that people will keep forever.  They will look back at these photos and be transported back to a time when they were happiest. Pictures are meant to make people feel amazing and I enjoy getting to give that to someone, it is so special. I also love getting to be creative as well, where I get to see an idea I have come to life. 

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

This is a hard one because I am one of the biggest Brewers fans I know! I would take either my best friend from childhood because we have been to so many Brewers games together so it is one of our things - we have also visited the outside of Fenway before so if we were able to be in such a historic park it would check that off our list. If not her, probably my step dad! He would also love to go to Fenway for a game and he would deserve it! 

Is there a feature or activity in a game at American Family Field (formerly Miller Park) that you’d especially like to experience?

As any good Milwaukee gal, I would have to say participate in a Racing Sausage race during the bottom of the 6th inning! While I may be short in the costume, I think it is such a fun and historical event! If you have never heard of the racing sausages... I would say look them up! A close second would be Polka on the top of the dug out during the 7th inning stretch to Roll Out the Barrel, which is a tribute to our old team name! 

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That would definitely be a lot of fun! 

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

As Glo continues her time as Miss West Allis, I encourage you to follow her official Instagram and Facebook accounts. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on!

I also definitely want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss Wisconsin title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Glo, and good luck!