Peyton Troth Visits Section 36!

Catherine Fiehn Photography

Section 36 had another visitor! Peyton Troth is passionate about education, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen. 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 Peyton Troth visits Section 36!

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

I have had lots of celebration dinners but right after the competition my close family and friends came over and we had pizza and cake. It was so fun and relaxing just being able to hang out with my family and friends after a long week of competition. 

How did you select your social impact initiative: Peyton’s Promise Education Initiative?

Well Peyton’s Promise actually started in my classroom. My classmates and I were taking a test and out of the 15 of us 10 people needed a pencil. I remember thinking to myself that this can’t just be in my classroom, it could be in the classroom next door, across the hall, and even classrooms across the country. My education is very important to me and so I created Peyton’s Promise to pave the way for tomorrow’s leaders. Our mission at Peyton’s Promise is to make sure that kids get the tools they need to obtain the education that they deserve. 

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

I would love to grow the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization by creating the “10 more project” where I am not only increasing contestant numbers but volunteer and sponsor numbers as well. I know that in today’s world some colleges and even high schools require community service hours in order to graduate. I would love to do community service projects with my peers through my organization Peyton’s Promise, and hopefully by doing these projects and showing my peers what opportunity the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization brings. Hopefully by doing these projects it will entice them to sign up as a candidate. I’ve seen where this organization has been and I know where it can go, so my specific goal throughout my year is to grow the organization in numbers. 

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

I love being able to tell a story by only using my body. Tap is my favorite style of dance and whenever I put on my tap shoes I feel like I’m putting instruments on my feet. Making music with my feet feels so unreal sometimes and tap will always have a special place in my heart. 

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

I am a huge Marvel fan so I would love to be Black Widow for a week. Black Widow was the first girl superhero within the Marvel movies and ever since I saw her on the big screen I fell in love with the character. She is one of a few Marvel characters that don’t have superpower and Black Widow has specifically taught me that just because you are a girl that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything boys can do. She is strong and powerful and I would love to live a day in her life as an Avenger. 

If you had an extra ticket to a Hartford Yard Goats baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would have to bring my Dad if I had an extra ticket to a Yard Goats game. My Dad and I love watching sports together and we always have a great time. We are big Yankees fans and going to Yankee games is one of our favorite things to do together so if there is any chance to watch a live baseball game no matter the team, I know I will bring my Dad with me. 

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

I would love to be the first pitch at a baseball game. My older brother Tyler played baseball in high school and he was one of the main pitchers for his team. Growing up I loved watching him play/pitch and he has tried to teach me multiple times. I am definitely not the best but believe me I have been practicing for my moment to pitch on the field.

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That sounds like it would be a lot of fun!

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

I also want to wish Peyton luck when she competes for Miss America's Outstanding Teen! It would be fantastic to have the first Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Peyton during her journey as Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account, Facebook page, and website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. You should also check out the website for her SII Peyton's Promise for great information on that cause.

Thanks again Peyton, and good luck!

Ashlyn Manuel Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has a new visitor! Ashlyn Manuel is a dancer, an advocate for the homeless, and the current Miss Fairfield County’s

Photo by Catherine Fiehn

Outstanding Teen. Next week, she’ll be competing for the Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen title. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us before that to discuss those topics, and a few more! I just loved everything she had to say, and I’m sure you will too.

So let’s see what happens when Ashlyn Manuel visits Section 36!

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

I was so unbelievably excited because I realized I would have the opportunity to have another year full of incredible opportunities and to have another chance to compete for the title of Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen! My family was thrilled for me and have been so supportive of my journey throughout my past 2 years in the Miss Connecticut Organization.

What’s something you learned about yourself at the Miss Fairfield County’s Outstanding Teen competition that will help you at Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen?

Throughout competing I have learned so much more about myself. I have learned that I should trust myself when it comes to choosing aspects of my wardrobe and talent. I have become more confident in my own self and my choices. I have grown so much and I am so thankful to every person who has helped me get this far. I know that no matter what happens at the Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen pageant on June 8th 2019, I went out on the stage and truly gave it my all. I have been working so hard for this and I am so proud of myself for that.

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

My goal for my year as Miss Fairfield County’s Outstanding Teen is to spread my platform “Homeless NOT Helpless” throughout Connecticut and to be able to share my story with as many people that will listen. A goal I set for myself at the beginning of my year is that I wanted to attend more events than I did last year as a local titleholder. I work hard to be able to attend every single event and appearance because I truly want to have an effect and make a difference in as many peoples lives as I possibly can throughout my year. I told myself that I only have one year to create change and that I am in control of what type of year I have. I already have accomplished some of my huge goals that I set for myself this year. I was able to create my event, Benefit Concert “For the Kids.” It was such a rewarding night to see how many people came out to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and to see some incredible artists perform that night. This night would not have been as successful without the help of my mom, Scott, Papa, my sisters, Savannah Giammarco, Maia Dobbs, Jill Duffy, Maria Pellegrino, and so many other wonderful people!

How did you select your platform “Homeless NOT Helpless”?

My platform “Homeless NOT Helpless” is so incredibly important

to me. I chose this as my platform because my family and I were forced to experience homelessness first hand due to a fire that destroyed our home. I knew that I never wanted other people to experience what I did no matter the reason that they got to their situation. My platform is called “Homeless NOT Helpless” because it is my goal and passion to get rid of the stereotypes that people have about the homeless that the population is just addicts or abusers. I want people to understand that homelessness can happen to anyone, at any point in their lives. It can be due to a family not being able to afford their bills, a natural disaster, domestic violence and the list goes on. I want people to understand that although they are homeless, they are still human beings. They deserve kindness and respect just like any other person does. I am proud to share that I was able to create my “Necessity bag program.” I began this in December of 2018 and it has grown so much throughout the past seven months. These bags are filled with the most important items a homeless citizen needs which are nutritious snacks, water, socks, and basic hygiene items. I have been able to give these bags to many people on the streets and just knowing that I am a small part in their journey to finally getting off the streets and out of their situation is such a great feeling. I know that all of the help that people gave my family and I when we were in this situation was greatly appreciated, so I want to be that help for someone else.

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

My ultimate favorite part about performing on stage is that incredible feeling you get while performing when you know you are killing it and then when you come off stage and feel so great! Being able to dance at Triple Threat Dance Company with some of my best friends is something I will never take for granted because it is such an amazing opportunity!

If you could be any Disney character for a week, which one would you be?

I would love to be Alice from Alice in Wonderland because she is very curious about the world around her and has a very positive outlook on life! One of my favorite quotes from the movie is, “If everybody minded their own business, the world would go around a great deal faster than it does.” This quote relates to everyday life because people are so caught up in what other people are doing, instead of focusing on their own lives.

Who is your favorite Red Sox player? Why?

Although I am not too big of a baseball fan, I think that Matt Barnes is a great player. I think that his position on the team of the pitcher is really awesome! And if I did baseball/softball I would consider being a pitcher.

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

I think it would be pretty awesome to be able to get a tour of Fenway Park! There is so much to see such as the roof deck and the Fenway Park museum which includes over 150,000 photographs and 170,000 stadium artifacts! There is so much history apart of the museum and it would be amazing to have the chance to see it in person!

What were you doing when the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series?

To be completely honest the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series right before Halloween. Which means that I was planning for my Halloween party with my friends, rather than watching the World Series! But I am excited to see who will be making it to the 2019 World Series!

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The series really does occur at an annoying time, doesn’t it?

As always, I want to thank Ashlyn for taking the time to visit with us. Especially with her next competition coming up so soon. I also am glad she was able to provide so many great pictures to go along with the post. It’s always so much better that way.

As Ashlyn continues as Miss Fairfield County’s Outstanding Teen, I suggest you follow along on her official MFCOT Facebook and Instagram pages. That way you won’t miss out on anything she’s up to!

Of course, I also want to wish Ashlyn luck next week as she competes for the Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen crown! It would be wonderful to have a Section 36 visitor claim that title!

Thanks again Ashlyn, and good luck!