Camille Schrier Visits Section 36!

Photo Courtesy Miss America Org

Section 36 has another visitor! Camille Schrier is passionate about raising awareness of everyday medication safety, a proponent for STEM, a Phillies fan, and the current Miss America! I could not be more honoired that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Camille Schrier visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss America crown?

Well, it’s a little hard to celebrate when you have to get right to work! Immediately after winning (literally at 4am) I was in a car on my way to New York City to appear as a guest on The Today Show. I celebrated by getting to meet fellow Virginia Tech alumna Hoda Kotb and travel around the hustle and bustle of New York for dozens of interviews!

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

2020 has come with a lot of surprises for all of us…many of which aren’t very positive (except for COVID-19!). I am a glass half-full type of person, and try to make the best out of difficult situations…so for me, one of the most pleasant surprises has been how easy it has been able to adapt my job as Miss America to a virtual format. I’ve been able to give keynote speeches over zoom, perform science demonstrations for students in classrooms across the country, and create a science mini-series with PBS! Despite all of the negative that has come with the pandemic, I am grateful for the unique opportunities this year has afforded me.

What made you decide to compete within the Miss America Organization?

I was always interested in the personal and professional advancement opportunities that Miss America offered young women, but for a very long time I didn’t think I could compete. I wasn’t interested in the swimsuit competition, and didn’t have a traditional fine arts talent…which were two of the main competitions. In the Spring of 2019, I saw an advertisement for the last local competition leading up to Miss Virginia…and entered on whim. With the swimsuit competition eliminated, I decided to take a risk, and tackled the talent competition by remaining true to myself and performing a science demonstration. The rest is history!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Mind Your Meds: Drug Safety and Abuse Prevention from Pediatrics to Geriatrics”?

I started my personal social impact initiative of Mind Your 

Photo Courtesy
Miss America Org

Meds: Drug Safety and Abuse Prevention from Pediatrics to Geriatrics, based on my experience as a Doctor of Pharmacy Student at Virginia Commonwealth University. I saw a need for education and awareness for everyday medication safety, ranging from over the counter medications to prescription opioids. The daughter of a registered nurse, I grew up exposed to the concept of medication safety, and recall trips to the pharmacy watching my mother flip over boxes of cold, cough, and flu medicines to identify active ingredients and carefully consider what could be given together. But my circumstance was not the norm. Caregivers or parents without medical training may become confused or overwhelmed when administering medications and can unintentionally harm a child or aging parent with seemingly benign over the counter medications or prescribed drugs. Then, after attending a Naloxone training session from the Virginia Department of Health, and learning about how both prescription and illicit opioid drugs are plaguing our communities, that I knew I needed to also use this platform to help combat this growing epidemic.

What is your favorite “behind the scenes” memory from the Miss America Competition?

One morning during rehearsal we were all very tired, in our evening gowns, waiting to begin practicing the introduction to the final show. The crew put some music on for us while we waited, and one of the candidates requested that we play some songs from High School Musical and The Cheetah Girls. Most of us grew up watching these movies, and before we knew it, our entire class was singing and dancing to some of our favorite nostalgic Disney songs! Someone snapped a video of us…and it’s still saved on my phone. It was such a wonderful bonding moment for our class, and is a memory that will stay with me forever!

You followed in the footsteps of Alayna Westcom with a “science experiment” talent. What was it like to perform that on the Miss America stage?

Photo Courtesy Miss America Org

For the talent portion of the competition I performed the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, commonly known as the ‘elephants toothpaste’ demonstration. Most people think I’m the first to ever do this, but I often speak of Miss Vermont 2015 Alayna Westcom who was actually the first woman to bring science to the Miss America stage. The demonstration is a vibrant and exciting explosion of foam that I used to get the audience excited about science, and teach basic chemistry concepts. I always thought that I couldn’t compete for Miss America because I didn’t have a traditional performing talent, and so it was meaningful for me to broaden the definition of talent at Miss America so that other women like myself can see themselves as a part of our program, and take advantage of the scholarship opportunities it can offer! Additionally, as a woman of science, I wanted to come up with an innovative way to display the talents I have in the sciences, while also getting others (especially kids) excited about STEM careers.

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

Photo Courtesy

K. Garcia Productions

I have many goals related to my social impact initiative and STEM advocacy, including reducing the stigma around substance use disorder and overdoses, increasing the amount of people who are naloxone trained, and showing young people the value of STEM in their lives. But if I were to choose one ultimate goal to accomplish this year, it would be show the world that it’s OK to be different, and that success comes when you are authentically yourself.

You graduated from Virginia Tech, whose campus is close to where the Salem Red Sox play. Were you able to watch any baseball while you were in Blacksburg?

Unfortunately, I was not able to watch any baseball while at Virginia Tech! BUT, I did have the chance to throw out the first pitch at a Lynchburg Hillcats game while I was Miss Virginia!

As a Phillies fan, is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?

I grew up going to Phillies games with my family, and loved the atmosphere that baseball provided. I joke that it’s still the only professional sport I understand One of my favorite parts about Phillles games was interacting with their mascot, The Phillie Phanatic. I always wanted to get invited up on the dugout, so maybe I’ll get the chance to do that in the future!

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How much fun would that be?!?!

As always, I want to thank Camille for visiting with us! I also want to thank the Miss America Org for sending along the wonderful pictures to go with the interview.

As Camille continues her time as Miss America, I encourage you to check out her official Miss America website (especially her blog), Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube account. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on!

I also definitely want to wish her the best of luck as she finishes her time with the Miss America title. I hope she reaches all of her goals!

Thanks again Camille, and good luck!

Alysa Bainbridge Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Alysa Bainbridge is passionate about empowering people with mental illness, a Phillies fan, and the current Miss Berks County. I was so glad that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Alysa Bainbridge visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Berks County title?

I went out to dinner with my family, my teen’s family, and my directors - and in true Alysa fashion, I ordered a big pasta dish at 10 PM! There was a lot for us to celebrate. My teen and I had been sister queens the year before and it was so special to be together again! I also held the teen title in the Miss Berks County Organization my first year in Outstanding Teen and was so happy to be back home as “their girl” again.

 

Due to the state of the world at the moment, you also still hold the Miss Philadelphia title. How do you plan to juggle both titles?

It’s been sort of a whirlwind, but I feel so blessed to represent

both of my homes at the same time! Berks County is my hometown and Philly has been my college home for the last four years, and both communities have a piece of my heart. Juggling both hasn’t been too hard so far, since I haven’t had many appearances during pandemic. The hardest part has been coming up with different content for two social media pages! When I get back to doing appearances (hopefully soon!), I plan to do appearances for both titles and continue to partner with organizations in both regions. 

 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Berks County competition that will help you when you compete again for Miss Pennsylvania?

Photo by
Eire Ann Photography

At Miss Berks County, I won the overall talent award. This was a surprise to me because I haven’t danced competitively like I did in high school for years. Talent is the area of competition I would say I get most nervous for, and I actually picked apart my performance quite a bit that night! I learned that I am capable of more than I think and not to be so hard on myself. I’m going to take this attitude with me into all areas of competition at Miss Pennsylvania. 

 

How did you select your “More Than Bipolar” social impact initiative?

I grew up with two siblings who struggled with bipolar disorder

and other mental illnesses. I saw the toll stigma took on them and on the rest of my family, and it broke my heart that outsiders saw my siblings only for the symptoms of their mental illness. I decided I wanted to start a specific campaign that not only raised awareness and started a conversation about mental health, but that empowered individuals living with mental illness and celebrated the wonderful things that make them so much more than a diagnosis. 

The namesake of my platform is based on my siblings’ struggles, but the idea is that any mental illness can be added to the end: #MoreThanAddiction, #MoreThanDepression, etc. 

 

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

I love sharing my heart onstage and the feeling I get when I’m performing. My current talent routine is especially meaningful to me. I do a lyrical dance in honor of my brother, Tyler, who we lost to an opioid overdose in 2018. The message of my song, “Somebody’s Someone”, is the very message of my platform. It’s  specifically about having a brother who struggles with substance use disorder. The message is that, regardless of that circumstance, he and anyone struggling will always matter to someone and should keep fighting. Having another chance to share the message of my social impact and getting to have this moment with my brother onstage is the most special part about my talent. 

 

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

I would want to be any Disney princess, but if I had to choose

Photo by
Matt Boyd Photography

one, it’s Cinderella! She has always been my favorite princess. Who wouldn’t want to be a princess and wear a ballgown every day?

When I was little, my dream was to be a Princess at Disney World, but I soon realized I would never be tall enough to meet the height requirement! Instead, I get to live out that dream a little once a year as The Little Mermaid during Princesses and Pirates Night at the Reading Fightin’ Phils!

 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I love doing barre! It’s the perfect workout routine for a dancer. I try to take an online barre class at least 2-3 times a week. Of course, I also stretch every day and practice my talent routine to keep up my technique and stamina. 

 

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

I would take my dad! He has been a lifelong baseball player, coach, and fan, and he taught me everything I know about the sport. Hopefully the Phillies wouldn’t be playing the Cincinnati Reds (his favorite team) that day, though, or I might have to pretend I don’t know him!

 

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

I want to dance on top of the dugout with the Phillie Phanatic! 

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I would definitely love to see that!

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

As Alysa continues her time as Miss Berks County, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram account and her website. They're great ways 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 Pennsylvania title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Alysa, and good luck!

Jenna Martorana Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Jenna Martorana is a twirler, a baseball employee, and the current Miss Red Rose City. I’m so

excited she was interested in visiting with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. I knowyou’ll love reading everything she had to say!

So, let’s see what happens when Jenna Martorana visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Red Rose City crown? 

I was in complete shock that I won! I was clapping for myself as I walked to be crowned I was so surprised. After taking tons of pictures and calling my family I went out to eat with my crown still on and treated myself to a big glass of coke! Anyone

who knows me knows I love my coke but am trying to cut back. I kept my crown on until I got home and took sleeping crown pictures with my dog Sophie and her crown! I also immediately made a list of appearances I wanted to participate in to advocate for my platform!

What has surprised you the most about your time with the Miss Red Rose City crown?

I think what has surprised me the most is how much of a difference I can actually make by just telling my story. It took me three years to work up the courage to compete because I didn’t think anyone would want someone like me as a titleholder but I quickly learned that wasn’t true. I have gained so much support for my platform by being transparent and real about my mental health. I have been able to inspire others to be open up about their mental health and trust me enough to share their stories with me. I often struggle with thinking I don’t have a purpose or not being good enough like a lot of people with mental illnesses so I never thought I could make so much of a difference to others by being me.  

What was your favorite thing you’ve done during your time as Miss Red Rose City?

It is hard to narrow down what my favorites were but one of them

was the Out of the Darkness Walk in Philadelphia that the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention held. It allowed me to spend the day with thousands of people who are suicide attempt survivors like myself, lost a loved one to suicide or want to raise awareness for suicide prevention. I’m so grateful to have been able to participate with NAMI Bucks County and Montgomery County as well as with Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital. Another amazing experience was being invited by Miss Pennsylvania 2017 to Hoffman Homes for Youth for Miss America Serves Day. Hoffman Homes for Youth is a psychiatric residential treatment center for children 6-17. The Miss PA Class of 2018 collected dresses for the girls ahead of time and did their hair and makeup that day so they could put on their own pageant! Each child had a sash with their power word on it and told the audience what their word meant to them. It was so special to share my platform with these kids because they are kids just like me battling mental illnesses. When I spoke of my platform, I saw the understanding on their faces and since this was the first time I spoke aloud about my story I realized why it was important I keep doing it. 

How do you plan out your “color guard” talent performance?

My current talent routine is actually part of my indoor color guard routine I did with my team my senior year of high school. I had shortened and changed the routine before to make it a solo to perform at baton competitions but then I cut it down even more to fit the 90 second time limit. It is a rifle routine to the Three Tenors “Hallelujah” that is dedicated to those who have served and those who are serving our country. I didn’t have to think twice about choosing color guard over baton twirling when I decided to start competing in January but I have often been questioned why I did it since baton twirling is considered a “pageant talent”. That’s part of the reason why. I wanted to be able to stand out and share something different with the audience. I love to perform and I feel I can put so much more of myself into my color guard routines allowing the audience an even better experience. 

How did you select your platform, #CureStigma?

My original platform that I competed on and won with was called “Breaking Down the Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness by

Opening Up”. I told my story of depression, anxiety and OCD and encouraged other to share theirs because by putting a face to the illness makes it more than a diagnosis. I am very open about my battle with mental illnesses and post often on my social media about myself, tips for improving ones mental health and information to educate my followers about mental health and illnesses. Through my year I had the opportunity to work with local chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness which inspired me to change my platform slightly. A campaign they created is called #CureStigma and portrays stigma as a social virus that can be cured through compassion, empathy and understanding. My beliefs on mental illness align with NAMI’s and I think the #CureStigma campaign makes stigma understandable for people of all ages. I will continue to advocate for my platform even after I’m done competing because I will be starting my masters degree in school counseling at Kutztown University in January. I’m lucky that my university believes in the importance of mental health education and has its own NAMI club on campus that I am able to partner with in addition to other local county chapters. I am in the process of being trained to be on NAMI Bucks County’s speaking team who educates students on mental health and stigma to make their schools and organizations stigma free!

What is your personal fitness routine?

As someone who doesn’t enjoy going to the gym, I have to try and do things to make it fun! My best friend writes workouts for me to help keep me motivated including a pre Miss Pennsylvania workout plan! I have had a lot of injuries from color guard and baton twirling so I’m working to build those muscles back up while staying in shape. My favorite thing is riding the stationary bike while watching Netflix on my phone. 45 minutes will fly by that way! I will also mix in circuit training and classes like Zumba and yoga. 

The past few seasons, you’ve been a diamond girl for the Reading Fightin Phils. What do you do in that position?

As a diamond girl I have a few different jobs I’ll do depending on where I’m scheduled. First Energy Stadium has three different buffet areas- the ‘67 Club, Bunbinos Tailagte and the Character Pool Party (yes we have a poo in the outfieldl!). If I’m scheduled at one of the buffets then I will check tickets and give the appropriate wristband out of five options based on the type of buffet and seating they have. The Fightin’ Phils are big on giveaways such as shirts and bobble heads so some days I could be handing them out at the main gate. Lastly we have 6 different mascots! The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor is the face of the Fightins and is their logo. There is also Screwball the baseball, Blooper the dog, Change Up the turtle, Bucky the beaver and Quack the duck. Some nights I escort one of them around the stadium making sure they get to greet lots of fans and give autographs. 

What is your favorite part of that job?

My favorite part of the job is being able to interact with the fans

and meet others in my community. I might not know much about baseball (it took until my second season to learn what a double play was) but I really enjoy being able to help the fans have a memorable experience. 

What made you decide to work for a minor league baseball team?

Two of my older cousins had both worked for the Fightins and so that is basically how I ended up with the job. I really enjoy being apart of the Fightins family though because they’re such a major part of the community. The Fightin Phils created Baseballtown Charities to keep baseball alive for children in Reading. As someone with a degree in Applied Disability Studies, my favorite is that Baseballtown Charities started the Dream League for Children with Disabilities and with support from other local businesses recently completed a field for the Dream League kids which includes a playground useable for children of all abilities. I’m proud to be apart of an organization that gives back so much to its community including being one of my sponsors. 

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It sounds like an incredible job!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Jenna for doing this interview. And I want to thank her for providing the amazing pictures to accompany the interview. They're really perfect!

As Jenna continues her time as Miss Red Rose City, I encourage you to follow her on her official Miss Red Rose City Facebook. It’ll be worth your time! 

Thanks again Jenna!