Harley Tilque Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Harley Tilque is passionate about early action to fight cancer, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Metrolina's Outstanding Teen. I was excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.
 
So, let's see what happens when Harley Tilque visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Metrolina’s Outstanding Teen crown?

Well of course no celebration is complete without a dinner and dessert.  So I went to Applebee’s with some of my friends and family! It was such a fun night and we were there celebrating until the restaurant closed.

How did you select your social impact initiative dealing with Ovarian Cancer Awareness?

In 2012 my grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.  She was only given 2 month to live. However, she was offered the opportunity to become part of a research study and was given 5 more years with us.

After we lost her unexpectedly (she was cancer free when she

passed), I decided to change my platform to T.E.A.L. -Take Early Action & Live. I wanted to continue what she had started and honor her as well.

After a lot of research I learned that the symptoms of this disease are very vague and only 15% get diagnosed in the early stages. I also learned that it also does not get the funding it deserves because there is no screening test to detect this “silent killer”, the nickname for ovarian cancer. Over the past 3 years I have been developing my platform, I have raised over $4,000 towards research, have helped to spread

the word about the symptoms

and hopefully will be able to help families across the country.

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Metrolina’s Outstanding Teen?

Only time will tell but I hope to become the next Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen! My committee has helped me prepare for this pageant for almost 2 years and I am ready to show everyone all the hard work i’ve put in.

You recently had the opportunity to compete in the Summit cheer competition. What was that experience like?

IT WAS A DREAM! Being new to the cheer community it was honestly overwhelming. Summit is like the super bowl for cheerleaders and if you are lucky enough to win, you get a personalized ring! My team had worked so hard the entire season and we were so proud of the performance we left on the mat. All the support from the team and parents was so electric to be around and we even got to go to Animal Kingdom and MGM Hollywood Studios.

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

For sure Venellope Von Schweetz from Wreck-It-Ralph. Not only does she get to race go-karts made from Candy but she has an amazing best friend like Ralph to always hang with. I would love to be in her place and live in Candy Land, sounds like heaven to me.

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

Thomas Rhett! I am a huuuugee country fan and especially of

Thomas Rhett. I not only love to follow his new songs but all the new updates with his life and family. He is definitely a role model I look up to for advice and would give anything to sit down and watch some baseball with him.

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

I think it’s be really cool to throw the first pitch at a game. Even as a competitive dancer and cheerleader, coordination isn’t always my friend so I’m not sure how far the ball will go but I am always open to trying new things.

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I agree, that would be a fun experience!

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

I encourage you to follow Harley on her title's Instagram account. It's a great way 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 North Carolina's Outstanding Teen title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Harley, and good luck!

Francesca Collins Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Francesca Collins is passionate about ovarian cancer awareness, a talented pianist, and the current Miss Ocean Sands. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. I am also excited that she is our first visitor from the state of New Jersey!

So, let's see what happens when Francesca Collins Visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Ocean Sands crown?
Right after winning, I went over to a Queen's reception at this super yummy Italian restaurant and ate lots of pasta!

What has been the most pleasant surprise about your time as Miss Ocean Sands? 
Before COVID, I was able to do the Christmas tree lighting in Gloucester Township. Everyone was so sweet and the town even made me a sign that says "Meet Francesca Collins Miss Ocean Sands." It's made out of street sign material so that is super cool and an awesome memento of my time!

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Ocean Sands competition that will help you when you compete for Miss New Jersey?
Going into the Miss Ocean Sands competition, I honestly didn't

think I was going to win. It was the last local that I was eligible for and I remember thinking that this was the end of my time in pageants. I decided to throw out the "pageant personality" and just be Francesca and have fun with that. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “The Teal Butterfly Challenge”?
When I was 15, I went to an Ovarian Cancer Awareness walk in North Carolina. My mom and I went to support one of her closest friends whose sister passed away from Ovarian Cancer. The passion around OCA is incredible and unmatched. The sad part is that there was only one survivor at that walk. I was so moved by the love and passion that I saw that day and knew that this was something I wanted to get involved with. My mom's friend founded the Teal Butterfly Challenge later that year and I have been involved ever since. In the past decade, the challenge has reached countries in Europe! 

Since its founding, the organization has rebranded to just "The Teal Butterfly" because the challenge is only one part of what we do. There are awareness runs, educational promotion, and even a girl scout patch geared towards promoting education and awareness about Ovarian Cancer.

As a talented pianist, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?
I love sharing music with people. Music is one of the few mediums that transcends time and culture. We can all feel the emotions represented in music.

You are currently enrolled in law school. What are your plans for using that degree?

I'm trying to keep an open mind since I'm only in my first year of law school. At this point, I'm leaning towards going into estate or contracts law. I find those to be really fascinating areas of law. 

If you could be a Disney Character for a week, who would you choose? Why?
This is such a hard question because I love so many Disney characters! I would have to say Elsa because I would love to be able to control ice and water!

If you had an extra ticket to a Philadelphia Phillies game, who would you bring with you? Why?
If I had an extra ticket to a Phillies game, I would bring my brother, John. He is a HUGE sports fan and we have a great time with lots of laughs whenever we spend time together. 

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?
I would love to throw the first pitch! I think that would be so much fun!

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I'd love to do that too! 

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

As Francesca continues her time as Miss Ocean Sands, I encourage you to follow her Instagram account. It's a great way 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 New Jersey title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

 

Thanks again Francesca, and good luck!