Gina Carloto Visits Section 36!

Claire Marchand

Section 36 had another visitor! Gina Carloto is passionate about giving back to communities, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Connecticut. I was so thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Gina Carloto visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Connecticut crown? 

I knew that whether I won or not, I was going straight to Krispy Kreme for glazed donuts! After all of the excitement, photos, and cleaning up the dressing room, I did just that and ordered 2 dozen glazed donuts. We're so fortunate to have had Mohegan Sun host Miss CT week because of their hospitality and great food choices. After sharing some donuts with friends and family, I went right home to celebrate with my dog, Dakota!

What is something Sylvana Gonzalez did as Miss Connecticut that you would like to emulate? 

Catherine Fiehn

Sylvana's dedication to the organization and making the most of her year as Miss Connecticut by remaining present is something I'd like to emulate. Whenever I saw photos of Sylvana at appearances, it was evident that she was fully engaged and invested in whatever it was she was doing - whether it was reading to children or participating in a community event, Sylvana was fully immersed in every moment, not missing a single beat. Being present is so important nowadays because it's so easy to be distracted by technology, social media, and other things.

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

Getting all my luggage to the location, especially if we have to fly, makes me most nervous! Given we travel with our entire wardrobe - gowns, interview outfits, shoes, and other irreplaceable, special items, I would never want my luggage getting lost or delayed.

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “The Grace Collective”? 

From a young age, my mom taught me the importance of serving and giving back to our local communities through volunteerism and community service. When she was in the hospital before she passed from cancer, we talked at length about how I planned to honor her legacy and uphold the values she instilled throughout my life. Despite being a single mother, my mom extended herself to others through community service and advocating for victims of domestic violence through various fundraisers, events, food and clothing drives, and by donating anything extra as she was able. In addition, my mom ensured I received an education and doing well in school was imperative in our household. I'm fortunate that my mom instilled the importance of self-love and respect in me, and am grateful for

the beautiful bond she and I shared. The word, "Grace" comes from a saying her nurses and doctors at Smilow Cancer Hospital always said to her during her battle with cancer: "Remember to show yourself grace." I will never forget those words and have chosen to honor my mom's legacy through The Grace Collective by aiming to impact communities through various health, education, advocacy, and love (HEAL) initiatives.

What do you enjoy most about performing your talent on stage? 

Catherine Fiehn

I love sharing my passion for dance and years of training with the audience. Seeing people dancing or clapping to the music and immersing themselves in my performance makes me feel fulfilled as a performer. Dance is a universal language and the arts are an outlet for many people from different walks of life - having the ability to communicate with others through movement is such a blessing.

What is your personal fitness routine? 

I enjoy taking Pure Barre and Orangetheory Fitness classes because the structure helps me get a productive workout completed in a short amount of time and holds me accountable to working out. However, I also love going to the gym, taking dance classes as much as possible, and teaching conditioning classes! I plan to teach more classes throughout my year as Miss Connecticut to engage my community and uphold my personal values that I've integrated into my community service initiative. My favorite way to stay #MissAmericaFit is taking my dog for walks/runs every morning and evening.

You currently work as a fund accountant at a hedge fund. What drew you to that field? 

Before attending school for finance, I earned a BFA in Commercial Dance while living in Los Angeles for almost 5 years. Upon moving home, I decided to go back to school at Sacred Heart University and earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and accounting and went on to earn an MBA in finance. During undergrad, I interned with a Big 4 public accounting firm, but felt I was best suited at a private firm to learn and grow in my career, as my desire was not to be an accountant. My role as a fund accountant is much less focused on debits and credits, which I enjoy. I am on my company's valuations team so I contribute to valuing the financial investments in our portfolio across various fund structures.

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

My mom was born and raised in Massachusetts so all of her family members are Red Sox fans! I would definitely take my cousin Savannah with me because she moved at a young age to Nevada, and still has a fierce dedication to the Red Sox and is one of their biggest fans!

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

I like to think I have a pretty good arm, so I'd love to throw first pitch! Singing the National Anthem is definitely out because singing is unfortunately not a talent I possess (I think I'll stick to dance)!

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The first pitch sounds like a great idea!

As always, I want to thank Gina 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 Gina during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account and Facebook page. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. You should also follow her personal socials like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. If you're on LinkedIn, find her there as well. You should also follow her CSI's Instagram to see what's going on there. God ahead and do it all!

Thanks again Gina, and good luck!

Sylvana Gonzalez Revisits Section 36!

Photo: CS Marchand

Sylvana Gonzalez was kind enough to visit with Section 36 in 2019 while she held the title of Miss Greater Rockville. Fast forward more than three years, and Sylvana is back with her new title, Miss Connecticut, and ready to take the Miss America stage. Sylvana was nice enough to answer some more questions for us so we can see what she's been up to, and what lies ahead. I hope you enjoy everything she has to say.

So let's see what happens when Sylvana Gonzalez revisits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Connecticut crown? 

You know of all the questions in this interview, I had to answer this one last. A large part of my journey through this organization has been actively working through, and surviving Domestic Violence. Winning Miss Connecticut, was close to this chapter of my life. I sat in my car and looked down at my sash sparkling from the street lights outside my windshield and cried the ugliest, happiest, relieved, and humbled tears of joy. 

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

This organization has given me so much. I want to build relationships with as many add organizations, businesses, and volunteers who share our mission to “Prepare Great Women for the World.” to make the next 100 years of Miss America stronger than the last - especially in our current climate where the voices and civic action of women will be the ones that change the world. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Connecticut competition that will help you at Miss America? 
After reflecting on all I had survived in these last ten years, I realized I had become the woman I needed when I was younger. Knowing this, I walked with a peace Domestic Violence once stripped from me. I get to carry this with me to Miss America, and share healing is a right we all deserve to find. 

I think you have an important social impact initiative, “Ending the Cycle of Abuse, With Heart”. What can you tell me about it? 

My Impact is centered around casting light on the many faces of abuse and empowering you to be the change. Throughout my life, I have witnessed Domestic Violence in masculine, and feminine capacities and know that there is no one “look” to abuse. I look forward to educating followers on their right to recovery, collaborating with organizations that share this mission to empower the quality of life initiatives, and modeling peace that becomes a committed practice during the aftermath of abuse. 

What book are you currently reading? 

I LOVE that you asked this question. I just finished “Jesus, CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership.” By Laurie Beth Jones. It is a beautiful breakdown of how to be a selfless, faith-fueled advocate and leader. I would not want to do my year of service any other way and this was the perfect depiction.

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

WHEN I HOLD MY NIECES! I have five gorgeous girls and being their Tia is such a beautiful honor. I want to continue modeling opportunities I hope they one day take advantage of and surpass. 

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

Give me Belle’s library and the castle that cooks for her because I could live in a Barnes & Noble if you let me. 

If you had an extra ticket to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Somerset Patriots, who would you take with you? Why? 

My dad! I remember the first time I was asked to make the first pitch at our hometown opening night baseball game, he was mortified. He was a baseball star in high school/college but I inherited his love for art and education NOT hand-eye coordination. He made me practice with him in the yard until my arms fell off so I wouldn’t embarrass myself. I think this would be a sweet trip to make together. 

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

I would love to throw a pitch again as Miss Connecticut. So much has changed from my first year to now. I think it would be a memorable experience even if I put my dad’s hours of rehearsing with me to shame.

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I'm so excited that just after interviewing with us, Sylvana got that chance! She did a fabulous job. 

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

As Sylvana continues her time as Miss Connecticut, I encourage you to check out her title's website and social media like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. 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 Sylvana, and good luck!

Margaret Carpenter-Dove Visits Section 36

Section 36 had another visitor! Margaret Carpenter-Dove is passionate about volunteering, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Shoreline. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Margaret Carpenter-Dove visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Shoreline crown?

I didn’t celebrate my win yet because my pageant director awarded me the [at-large] title since I did well last year, although I didn’t win a local. There weren’t too many locals held due to COVID. Shoreline wasn’t one of them so I was awarded that title. Anyway I’m celebrating my win on March 20th when all the at large titleholders get their crowns and sashes. So I’m just celebrating it with everyone else who gets a crown and sash.

What portion of the Miss Connecticut competition are you most excited about?

My favorite portions are talent and social impact! 

What is something that Sapna Raghavan is doing as Miss Connecticut that you would want to emulate? 

What I desire to do that Sapna is doing is to basically help the performing arts through diversity. I desire to help people of all sorts of minorities receive volunteer opportunities!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Volunteer in 5”?

I selected my social impact” volunteer in 5 “ because it only takes 5 moments to decide to volunteer no matter who you are. Your sexuality, disability, gender, race, culture, religion et cetera shouldn't prevent you. Society sets stereotypes for organizations and you shouldn’t allow it to define you! I don’t let my slight disabilities or sexuality define me. I'm more than capable of doing the job! I just say I’m 99% neurotypical 1% disabled, which is the truth. If life were easy we wouldn’t have to deal with putting black and white barriers on any minority. What we  have to offer as far as community service is beyond amazing and I desire to change it so every person is able to and learn to do so! It only takes 5 moments to say yes and if you take advice and actually listen then 5 moments to decide yes will do the trick to do so!

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

What I enjoy most about performing on stage is just being in high energy and feeling my own energy. I don't necessarily pay attention to crowd energy, I just do it for my pure enjoyment !

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

I get great satisfaction when I’m happy and doing my best. 

 

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

I would choose Minnie Mouse because she’s very animated!

If you had an extra ticket to see a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, would you find someone to go with you?

If I got a ticket for the opposite side of the stadium and I was cheering on the Miami Marlins then yes! Sorry to disappoint you, just being honest. Gotta love Miami and Tampa teams!

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

If I were to experience it would be actually getting the chance to volunteer with challenger leagues with IDD.

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I'm sure that would be wonderful!

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

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

Thanks again Margaret, and good luck!

Ashlyn Mercier Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Ashlyn Mercier is passionate about bringing positivity, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Farmingbury. 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 Ashlyn Mercier visits Section 36! 

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Farmingbury crown?
I had a lot of my family come and support me at the Miss Farmingbury competition. After I was crowned Miss Farmingbury, we all went back to my house to celebrate. We have a hangout spot in my basement called “Flynn’s Tavern”, which is named after my rescue pup, Flynn. Flynn’s Tavern has become a favorite spot for me and my family to hang out and I was so blessed to be able to celebrate being crowned Miss Farmingbury surrounded by the people I love most.

 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Farmingbury competition that will help you at Miss Connecticut?
The Miss Farmingbury competition was the first local

competition that I have competed in. Due to the pandemic last year, most of the candidates went to the Miss Connecticut competition at-large, which also happened to be my first time competing. Something I learned about myself was how much strength and perseverance I have when doing something I am passionate about. I was very sick with a head cold during rehearsals and leading up to the competition, I had lost my voice and was feeling very achy and sore. Despite this, I did everything I could to pull it together and perform my heart out come the night of the competition and it ended up working out!

 

What is something Sapna Raghavan has done as Miss Connecticut that you would want to emulate?
Sapna is one of the most genuine people that I have come to

know. I am so fortunate to have met her through the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization. As Miss Connecticut she is always her true self and that is something I admire in her. As a title holder she shows both the glamorous and real sides of herself which is a quality I strive to emulate.  

 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Nick’s Courage”?
Nick’s Courage was created in honor of my younger brother Nicholas who is a two-time pediatric cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with Leukemia at the young age of two. During his years battling cancer my family would always remind me that I was Nick’s biggest cheerleader. I did not learn until I was much older how much of an important role I played. The goal of my social impact is to continue being that cheerleader for kids who need it by bringing positivity into their lives.

 

As a talented dancer, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?
My favorite thing about performing on stage is the ability to tell a story to the audience. I aim to make them feel emotion though my dance. My favorite style of dance has always been contemporary because I feel as though I can share a really powerful story through my movement. I take pride in self-choreographing the dances I perform during competition because I want to touch peoples’ hearts.

 

You are currently a co-captain of the University of New Haven dance team. What is that experience like?

I have been a member of the University of New Haven dance

team since my freshman year in college. This year I was blessed to have been named co-captain of the team. I have had the opportunity to see this team grow so much over the years and it gives me such pride to be a leader to all the girls on the team. We perform at all home football games and men’s and women’s basketball games. I love being able to show up for our athletes, game days are always so much fun!

 

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

I would definitely be Princess Aurora! She has been my favorite Disney princess ever since I was a little girl. I wish I could say there was a very meaningful story behind her being my favorite, but in all seriousness, it is because her dress is pink. My favorite color has always been pink!

 

You’ve been able to attend some Worcester Red Sox games. What do you enjoy about those?
I grew up in a small town right outside of Worcester, MA and so my whole family was so excited to have the Woo Sox come to town. This year was their inaugural season in Worcester. It gives me a sense of pride to have the stadium and the Woo Sox represent what I have called home. They did a great job with the stadium; I love the atmosphere. One of my favorite things is that the vendors inside the ballpark are all locally owned restaurants, trust me the food is amazing! Going to the Woo Sox has proven to be one of my favorite summer activities, I think I went 5 times this year!

 

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?
As a Red Sox fan, my absolute favorite part of attending a

game is singing Sweet Caroline! It is a Fenway tradition and nothing brings me more joy than when that song comes on. As for something I haven’t experienced, I would love to throw out the first pitch at a game!

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A first pitch would be so much fun!

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

As Ashlyn continues her time as Miss Farmingbury, 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 Ashlyn luck when she competes for Miss Connecticut! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

Thanks again Ashlyn, and good luck!

Sapna Raghavan Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Sapna Raghavan is passionate about embracing diversity, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Connecticut. I was excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 
 

So, let's see what happens when Sapna Raghavan visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Connecticut crown?
With my friends & family! I'm so glad that despite COVID-19, my family was able to gather to celebrate with me after the competition with a whole lot of good food and dance parties. It was so special to be able to spend it with them and share the excitement!

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Connecticut?
Highlighting stories from women leaders across the state is something really important to me. It can be something as small as a social media post, but spending time with these women and hearing their stories of overcoming adversities inspires me and I'd love to share them for others to learn from. 

You were previously Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen. Do you think that experience on a national stage will help you at Miss America?

Photo: CS Marchand

Definitely! My experience with this organization has prepared me for the real world and provided me with transferable skills that directly support my personal and professional development. Public speaking, budgeting, event planning, communications, social media, the list of those skills goes on and on, and I see the impact that my experience has had on my life and I'm so thankful.  

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Embracing Diversity: Overcoming Adversity”?
As an Indian American woman in business, I often found myself apologizing for using my voice, suffering from self-doubt and facing the harsh reality of unconscious bias, like many women do. It is our diversity that is our greatest strength, and it's my passion to raise awareness to the confidence gap that exists today and advocate for all women.

As a talented dancer, what is your favorite part about performing on stage?
There's a feeling you get when the music starts and you're no longer thinking about what step comes next, but you're just doing it and enjoying every second of it. It kind of feels like you're floating! That's my favorite part. It's a moment where I get to be me and just have fun!! 

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

Photo: CS Marchand

I can spend some device-less relaxation time with my family! 

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?
I think I'd go with Moana!! Not only is it 1 of my favorite Disney movies (tied with Aladdin), but I love her adventurous spirit. I also would love to hangout with the pig and the chicken!  

If you had an extra ticket to a Red Sox - Yankees game, who would you take with you? Why?
My brother for sure. He makes everything fun! I'm sure we'd have a blast enjoying the game and of course, the food!!

Is there a feature or activity of a game at Fenway Park that you’d especially like to experience?
The cheering! There's a certain camaraderie that comes with watching a game when it feels like everybody is together and rooting for the same result. I love that!

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Yup. There's nothing like being part of that crowd! 

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

As Sapna continues her time as Miss Connecticut, I encourage you to follow her title's Instagram and Facebook accounts. You should also check out the official Miss Connecticut 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 Sapna, and good luck!