Vivian Zhong Visits Section 36!

Photo: Lindsay King Portraits

Section 36 has another visitor! Vivian Zhong is passionate about finding less invasive cancer treatments, a talented pianist, and the current Miss Michigan. 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 Vivian Zhong visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Michigan crown?

I celebrated winning the Miss Michigan title by taking a trip up north! I love Michigan summers and was able to make a trip to Mackinac Island and Traverse City, which are two of my favorite places in the summer. I am a huge fan of the outdoors so I loved taking in the nice weather and amazing views! After that trip, which was only a few days, I came back home to begin my duties as Miss Michigan and work on upcoming plans for my Social Impact Initiative.

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

One of my specific goals as Miss Michigan is to advocate for childhood cancer research. Only 4% of the NIH's annual budget goes towards pediatric cancer research. Children are our future and they deserve more than just 4%. I am currently in the works of meeting with a Congresswoman from Michigan to discuss the potential to work together to advocate for more funding. I hope the legacy I leave is one of hope and kindness. 

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

I am not nervous about any parts of the competition! Participating in this organization has allowed me to grow into a confident woman. I am more excited than anything to meet all of the amazing women and to represent my state. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Golden Warriors: Fight Like a Kid”?

I am an incoming first year medical student, and I have always loved working with children. One of my friends passed away just before her 21st birthday due to complications from her chemotherapy and radiation treatments that she had undergone as a child for her Leukemia. I honor her by advocating for more non-invasive treatment options so that children who beat cancer don't have complications later in their lives. Because of this, I chose to work as a pediatric medical assistant during the pandemic and saw firsthand the struggles many children face while in the hospital. My career ambitions and my passions led me to choosing childhood cancer as my Social Impact Initiative, and I am so excited to help serve these children in every capacity possible.

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

I have been playing the piano since the age of 3, so it has always been a passion of mine. As part of my Social Impact Initiative, I perform children's songs for hospitals as part of their music therapy program. My absolute favorite part of playing piano is being able to share my passion with others, especially on stage. 

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

I would choose to be Mulan! As an Asian-American, I am very proud of my heritage. I love how she was the first Disney princess who fought for herself and her family. 

I actually dress up as the character Mulan and visit hospitals and pediatric cancer patients with a local non-profit called Crowns Against Cancer. I love being able to bring some joy to these children during such a tough time.

What book have you recently enjoyed reading?

My favorite book at the moment is "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi. It is such an inspiring memoir of a late neurosurgery resident. It gives me a lot to think about when it comes to living life to its fullest and taking in every opportunity presented to me.

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

I would bring my mom. My mom and I are the best of friends, and she is by far my biggest supporter. We love traveling and going to sports games together, so I would definitely bring my mom. 

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

As an avid baseball fan, I would absolutely love to throw the first pitch at a Tigers game! I have been to many games with my family and love the atmosphere of the games. I may not be the most accurate pitcher, but it would be such an amazing experience to stand on that mound as Miss Michigan.

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That would be quite an experience! 

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

As Vivian continues her time as Miss Michigan, I encourage you to follow her title's Instagram and Facebook account. You can also check out the Miss Michigan 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 Vivian, and good luck!

Shelby Lentz Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has a new visitor! Shelby Lentz is a champion for Huntington's Disease, a talented singer, and the current

Miss Sunrise Side. I was really glad that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So let's see what happens when Shelby Lentz visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Sunrise Side crown?

After the pageant, I was exhausted! We had rehearsals the day before and the day of, as well as interviews. But I have had a tradition of sleeping in bed with my crown and sash after being crowned (not just taking the traditional sleeping selfie, I actually sleep with them! lol) 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Sunrise Side competition that will help you at Miss Michigan?

Breathe. Smile. And enjoy every moment. The best part of the competition, regardless of the outcome, is being around incredible women who become family and growing as an individual every time you walk on that stage. That is something I will not only take with me to state, but carry with me throughout the rest of my life. 

What are you most looking forward to about your time as Miss Sunrise Side?

Growing up, I looked up to Miss Michigan and Miss America. I am excited to now have the roles turned and to be that woman in a crown that another little girl or boy can look up to. Especially as a woman, I think it is important to use your title and voice to be a spokesperson for topics that are close to our hearts. 

What is your social impact initiative, and why did you select it?

My social impact initiative is Champions for HD: The Fight Against Huntington's Disease. Champions for HD is my nonprofit for Huntington's Disease, which is a degenerative, neurological genetic disease that is similar to having ALS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's simultaneously. My grandfather and father are ill with the disease, and my 13-year old sister has the juvenile version of it. She currently is limited in her ability to walk, talk, and eat. She is in a wheelchair, no longer attends school, and has a feeding tube. Being at-risk, I got test in 2017 at 20 years old and found out I have the gene for the disease as well, meaning without a cure I will develop symptoms at some point in my life. I wrote a song while in Nashville called "Champion" inspired by Rocky Balboa, which in turn inspired the name for my nonprofit. Champions for HD has raised nearly $10,000 in our first year-and-a-half and donated to over 20 families in need. We have also donated to local research. 

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

I love the power and energy behind music. When I write a song, I have the ability to connect with people on a much deeper and emotional level. I love that energy that I feel when I am on stage. But most of all, I love when people tell me my music means something to them and gave them hope in a time where they couldn't find any. That is what music is about. Connection. 

If you could be a Marvel character for a week, which would you choose? Why?

I love this!! I actually have a small Marvel/Avengers tattoo on my left arm. I would say Black Widow. I think she is highly underrated for the purpose she has served. While she may not have superpowers like many of her Avenger peers, she has a confidence and heart that is unmatched. She also is able to hold her own emotionally and physically and she is one hell of a fighter. Although she had such a cold up bringing, she uses her past to bring good to the world. And her ultimate sacrifice is just another reason why I love her and her sacrifice for those she loves. 

What is your favorite part about attending a Tigers game?

We have a Miss Michigan Tigers game where all of the local titleholders come and are on the big screen and the current Miss Michigan will throw the first pitch. It is a fun annual event!

If you had an extra ticket to a Red Sox - Tigers game, who would you bring? Why?

I would bring my mom because she has been a huge support in my pageant career and I would love to treat her to a girls day!

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That sounds like a great day!

As always, I want to thank Shelby for doing this interview, and for sending along the pictures to ass some flair to the post.

As Shelby continues her time as Miss Sunrise Side, I encourage you to follow her on her official Miss Sunrise Side Facebook page. 

Also, remember her amazing singing? You'll definitely want to follow her singing career by checking out her music website and facebook page.

You should also check out her social impact website Champions for HD. It's an important cause that deserves your support.

I also want to wish Shelby luck when she competes for the Miss Michigan crown. This will be the first chance for a visitor to go on and take that title. That would be incredible!

Thanks again Shelby, and good luck!

Brooklynn Lambert Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Brooklynn Lambert is a dancer and the current Miss Monroe County. She has also recently been named

the new Comerica In-Park host for the Detroit Tigers! Since the Red Sox start the second half in Detroit, I thought it was the perfect time to have her visit with us. Thankfully she agreed! I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading everything she had to say.

So, let’s see what happens when Brooklynn Lambert visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate being crowned Miss Monroe County?

Being Miss Monroe County was a dream of mine since I was five-years-old. So celebrating my win was incredible, I feel like it lasted for days. Not only with my famly and friends, but the community. My events hit the ground running the day after I was crowned. So it

was continuous and truly a dream come true. 

What has surprised you the most about your time as Miss Monroe County?

The support from Monroe County. Miss Monroe County is a local pageant, so only girls from the county are able to compete. Therefore, I have had nothing but love and support from my community. When I went to the Miss Michigan pageant, I cannot believe the amount of support and love that I recieved from Monroe. 

How did you select your platform, “Give Graciously: Leave a Legacy”?

When I was thirteen-years-old, I saw a man sitting outside of a

local Subway with nothing but the shirt on his back and wheelbarrow full of his belongings in the dead of winter. I brought him a sub, and he simply smiled at me and said "thank you." I realized that I needed to do something about this, because this wasn't the first case I saw. I then started a coat drive titled Coat-ing with Kindness, and nine coat drives later, I have collected over 5,00

coats and winter accessories for those who don't have something to keep them warm in the winter. I started to realize that it wasn't just coats that I wanted to give back to my community, I had more heart to give. I starting teaching a special needs dance class, volunteering my time with the Salvation Army, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, the United Way, and many other local organizations. Doing all of this, seeing the change that I was making, I wanted to inspire others to do the same. So by giving graciously, I am able to teach others that they can leave a legacy of making a difference in the lives of others. 

What’s your favorite part about performing your jazz dance talent on stage?

I have been performing for 18 years of my life, so getting out on a

stage is home for me. It is something that  truly love doing and don't get nervous about. My favorite part of performing on stage is the crowd. Since my dance is upbeat, the crowd is always yelling or clapping. I feed off of that energy and it only makes me perform more!

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

My goal as Miss Monroe County was to make a difference and to make my hometown proud. Going to the Miss Michigan pageant, making top 12, I know I made a difference seeing that I am the first Miss Monroe since 2013 to make top 10. I have also seen the impact I have made on lives as Miss Monroe County, and that is all that matters to me. It has been a dream come true these past 10 months.

What’s your personal fitness routine?

About a year ago, I started doing crossfit. Ever since I have started, I've been hooked. I have seen so many positive changes in my body, and I am truly in the best shape of my life. 

You’re a former member of the Detroit Tigers DTE Energy Squad. What was your favorite part about that experience?

I want to be a sports broadcaster for baseball. So being in the ball park alone, interacting with fans and being in front of the camera gave me the experience I need to move forward with my career.

If a Red Sox fan were to visit Comerica Park, what’s one feature they would enjoy, or not want to miss?

Comerica Park has so many things that anyone of any age would

truly enjoy. But besides the ball game, you don't want to miss our mascot, PAWS. PAWS is anywhere and everywhere throughout Comerica Park during the game and truly makes the experience even better!! [S36: Brooklynn is clearly too modest to mention herself as one of the must-see aspects of Comerica. Definitely keep your eyes open for her during the games!]

What’s your favorite memory of JD Martinez from his time with the Tigers?

The energy he brought to the game, how much he loved Detroit and his fans, there isn't just one moment or memory I have of him. Every single game he played was incredible because of what he brought to the plate. I hated seeing him go, but love watching his success from a far. 

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So far, I have to say she'd absolutely right about JD!

As usual, I want to give huge thanks to Brooklynn for doing this interview, especially as she got to know her new role with the Tigers organization. I also want to thank her for providing the pictures to accompany the interview. They went along perfectly with the interview, and made it a lot more fun!

As Brooklynn continues her time as Miss Monroe County, I encourage you to follow her on the official Miss Monroe County Facebook page and website.

I also want to wish Brooklynn luck as she starts competing in the next round of local competitions! This weekend she takes the stage to compete for the Miss Spirit of the State crown. I certainly hope she brings it home!

Thanks again Brooklynn, and good luck!