Jazmine Johnson Visits Section 36!

I am so excited that Section 36 had another visitor! Jazmine Johnson is passionate about Helping First-Generation Low Income (FGLI) College Students, loves to cook, and is the current Miss Denton. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Jazmine Johnson visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Denton crown? 

After winning the Miss Denton crown I celebrated by going to Halcyon here in Dallas, got a hot chocolate, played in their weekly trivia night, and then proceeded to write the essay I had due for school that night. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Denton competition that will help you at Miss Texas? 

Deon Casey

Something I learned about myself that will help me with Miss Texas is that I truly am doing this for fun and personal growth. I absolutely want to be Miss Texas in the future and am putting in the work to do so, but if my journey means that I’m only meant to make connections and fulfill my duty to service through these connections then I am 100% content with that as well. Competing and winning at the Miss North Texas / Denton competition revealed that to me.

 

What is your go-to coffee order? 

Old reliable is just a great mellow plain cold brew. Right now though, I’ve been obsessed with the “Spicy Santa” (Mocha and Cayenne) at White Rock Coffee. Gotta love a good seasonal drink. 

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “We Are First”? 

My CSI came from being a First-Generation Low Income (FGLI) College student myself. I was the first in my family to go and complete school and that journey was very hard for me. Very seldom were there others that I could talk to about my experiences and they either understood or were empathetic. Both professors and fellow students were very unkind when it came to the hardships I would face. The university itself also really only promoted First-Gen Assistance to Incoming Freshman, which is wonderful, but a FGLI student will still be just that throughout their time in school. That led me to want to create We Are First: Helping First-Generation Low-Income College Students from Application to Graduation. A program in which we help students not just to get into college, but to make sure they can finish as well. 

What is your personal fitness routine? 

Deon Casey

As a woman with PCOS I have to prioritize not just my physical health by working out, but also my hormonal and emotional health as well. So in addition to working out with @Transformationfit I also do a lot of research on what meals I can make that will be beneficial to me with my current condition. So I take time to work out, stretch every day, eat PCOS Friendly meals, and have time to relax and journal. 

You are currently pursuing your M.Ed in Educational Leadership at Texas Tech University. Where do you see those studies taking you? 

My M.Ed that I am pursuing right now has an emphasis in Education Policy. In the future, I would love to go to Law School and get my J.D., then use that to work in the field of Education Policy and Education Reform both in Government and Non-Profit Sectors. 

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

Princess Tiana! I can’t emphasize how special it was to see a Disney Princess that not just looked and sounded like me but also loved to cook. 

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

Deon Casey

Oooh, probably my mom or my little sister. There are a lot of
experiences my family and I have never had, and as I open these doors to new places I want to have them right beside me. I believe they deserve to have these experiences too. 

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

I would love to go to one of the Hello Kitty theme nights and collect the little plushies you can grab! The idea of collecting all of them sounds really cute and cool.

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I've always wanted to get to one of those giveaways myself. maybe someday!

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with her during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account, as well as her organization's Instagram. They're both great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Jazmine, and good luck at the Miss Texas competition!

Madison Baker Visits Section 36!

Photo Stephanie Carine

Section 36 had another visitor! Madison Baker is passionate about sports accessibility, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Grapevine. I was thrilled she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Madison Baker visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Grapevine crown?

I actually won Miss Grapevine while I was in the middle of moving into a new apartment, so the day after I won my mom and I were busy moving and unpacking boxes! We did celebrate though with my directors and fellow sister-queens right after the pageant. They have truly become such an incredible family to me this year!

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

How incredibly special the community of Grapevine is. Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of Texas, and seeing the town come alive during the holiday season was so special! I also got the opportunity to take a historical food tour of downtown Grapevine and was surprised to learn the diverse history of the town. From its beginnings as a settlement town, to the expansion of the railroad, followed by a brief period as the "Cantaloupe Capital of the World," and today being known for Dallas-Fort Worth Airport; the history of Grapevine is amazing!

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

Stephanie Carine

Talent. Even though I've been a dancer most of my life, I still get pre-performance nerves!

How did you select your community service initiative, “Athletics for All”?

As a kid I tried almost every sport available. I played soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, and gymnastics before I finally found my love of dance. It was as I got older that I realized a lot of children come from a socioeconomic background that allows them to try that many sports, let alone play at all. Athletics for All is my 501(3) that is dedicated to leveling the "paying" field in sports. Allowing all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, to play sports through equipment donations, sponsorships, and education about the necessity of athletics.

You are studying strategic communications at TCU. Where do you see that field taking you?

I would love to work in public relations and influencer management, helping to connect consumers to the people, products, and places that they love.

You had the opportunity to study in Europe for six months. What was that experience like?

Studying abroad was completely out of my comfort zone, but I love to travel so I decided to give it a shot. When I first got there I was so overwhelmed and experiencing such bad jet lag that I immediately wanted to come, but my parents told me to stick it out for at least two weeks. Two weeks I was having the time of my life! Aside from the incredible trips, great food, and new friends I made, Italy also taught me how to push through hard times. It taught me that sometimes all you need is an adjustment period. Studying abroad was one of the highlights of my college experience! 

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

Based solely on her ability to breathe underwater AND talk to animals, I would say Ariel for sure. Having the same hair color is a plus too! 

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

I would take my little sister Lauren! We have a really close relationship as sisters, and as friends, and I would love to spend that time with her. She started her freshman year of college this year so I don't get to see her as often. A visit to Texas to watch a Rangers game would be the perfect excuse for her to visit. 

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

I would love to participate in an on field competition. Even though I can be super clumsy, I feel like I would be strangely good at a game like dizzy bat! 

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I wonder how I would do at dizzy bat.

As always, I want to thank Madison 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 Texas! It would be fantastic to have the first Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Madison during her journey. You should be sure to check out her Instagram account, as well as the one for her local organization. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything.

Thanks again Madison, and good luck!  

Madison Matlock Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Madison Matlock is passionate about preventing drunk driving, a businesswoman, and the current Miss DeWitt County. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Madison Matlock visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss DeWitt County crown?

With Mexican food, of course! Nothing better than going to your local Mexican food restaurant in hair, makeup, and crown.

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

My goal is to help MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Texas meet their fundraising goals this year. As a partner with not only MADD Texas, but the National chapter, I've seen how impactful their programming is. I speak at Victim Impact Panels and I'm training to be a volunteer facilitator for the Power of You(th) program. MADD being integrated into our communities is so important to ending drunk driving, but to do that, we have to have the funds. I've got some fun ideas in the works! You'll see.

What portion of the upcoming Miss Texas competition are you most nervous about?

I wouldn't say I'm nervous, but I'm excited for talent. It's my favorite! Once I get through Talent, I'm good the rest of the week! 

How did you select your CSI “Perfectly Preventable: Drunk Driving Prevention”?

Because I lost my friend, Carly, to an underage, drunk driver. Losing her completely changed my life. I had never lost a peer like that before. After losing her, my eyes were opened to the fact that drunk driving occurs everyday and even worse, people die everyday because of it. Drunk driving, and the deaths associated with the most preventable crime, is a public health issue. It might be weird to say, but I found my passion through speaking about Carly, her life, and what it could have been. No matter if I ever become Miss Texas or not, I plan to be a lifelong volunteer of MADD and continue what I do now. 

You’re a graduate of Texas A&M. Where do you see your studies taking you?

Well, my studies have taken me to lots of places! I graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Leadership and Development and planned to go to law school. Life happened and I ended up moving back to Texas suddenly. I literally decided one day to pack my car and move to Dallas without a job or apartment. (Crazy, right?) I ended up at Vari (formerly Varidesk) and learned that I have a knack for business. Currently, I'm the Business Development Manager for the DFW market and I'm in the application process for my MBA. I see my studies taking me to the C-Suite one day, hopefully within the Commercial Real Estate industry. There's so much opportunity in Dallas and I want to be a part of it!

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

Sleeping Beauty. I would benefit from the rest.

If you had an extra ticket to see a baseball game between the Red Sox and the Astros, who would you take with you? Why?

First of all, Go 'stros (and Royals!). Secondly, I'm bringing my best friend, Rachel. She truly knows how to have fun and to live life to the fullest. I think she could make jury duty fun. I think once you start competing and competing hard, it can be hard for your friends to understand why you're always busy. She's such a huge part of my support system and has always made me feel included, even when she knows I can't go.  I'm so grateful to have her in my life.

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

Is it weird to say the Kiss Cam? I want to be on the Kiss Cam! I'm a hopeless romantic.

Either that or win a lifetime supply of something. I'll take what I can get.

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The Kiss Cam can be a tricky one!

As always, I want to thank Madison 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 Texas! It would be fantastic to have the first Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Madison during her journey as Miss DeWitt County. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account as well as her personal account. They're all wonderful ways to keep track of everything she has going on. Also, please consider visiting and donating at the MADD website. Also, check out the website for Carly's Way to help fulfill Carly’s vision for helping unloved animals and to stop intoxicated driving.

Thanks again Madison, and good luck!

Kennady Tooke Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Kennady Tooke is passionate about helping disabled veterans, a talented singer, and the current Miss Mount Pleasant. 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 Kennady Tooke visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Mount Pleasant crown?

Following the crowning of Miss Mount Pleasant with my family and friends at Nardellos!! This was the cutest little Pizza joint in Mount Pleasant, Texas. They had live music and even recognized me with congratulations! 

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Mount Pleasant?

A specific goal that I personally want to focus on and continue to build my Social Impact on, is continuing to connect Disabled Veterans, in East Texas & Mount Pleasant, with the lacking resources! I strive to build on Set Out. Salute. Support. by working alongside veteran support groups to find all of the best places for our nations disabled veterans. 

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

I am most nervous about my private interview. I feelcomfortable getting on stage and showing the crowd my personality. I don’t feel as comfortable leading up to my interview because of how personal I get to be with the judges. 

How did you select your social impact initiative?

I come from a HUGE military family. My appreciation for veterans come from growing up watching and learning from my dad, grandpa and various uncles. I saw how difficult it was for both my Dad and Grandpa to receive proper benefits following their service. I couldn’t be more grateful for all they’ve done and so if I can do anything, it would be giving back to veterans for as long as I can! 

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

I personally love being able to sing a song and feel everything the songs says. I love bringing to life the emotions that come from the lyrics. Singing out to a crowd and seeing their eyes full with emotion brings be greater joy.

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

I get great satisfaction when I can impact the lives of others by raising a voice for them. Knowing I can speak out for those who also can make a difference in the world brings me peace.

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

If I could be any Disney character, I would be Mulan. I have always admired Mulan for her dedication to her father’s legacy and her family. As a woman, she was born into a traditional life and chose she wanted more for herself. She didn’t want others to decide her future so she made it for herself. She used her grit and determination and proved a woman is more than capable of anything she puts her mind to. 

If you had an extra ticket to an Astros-Rangers baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my dad to the game! One of my fondest memories of my childhood is of my Dad coaching me in T-ball and G-ball! Even though we’re rooting for different teams, I appreciate the bond we share with sports.

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

I always have dreamed about singing the National Anthem or throwing the first pitch of the game! 

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Either of those would be a ton of fun!

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

As Kennady continues her time as Miss Mount Pleasant, 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 Kennady luck when she competes for Miss Texas! It would be fantastic to have the first Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

Thanks again Kennady, and good luck!

Landry Champlin Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Landry Champlin is passionate about living fearless, a talented singer, and the current Miss Plano. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more! I’m just as excited that she is the first visitor to Section 36 from the state of Texas!

So, let's see what happens when Landry Champlin visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Plano crown?

I was so fortunate to have my best friends from Oklahoma City University in the audience the night of Miss Plano! Needless to say, after I was crowned, we enjoyed some much needed IHOP and took the iconic “sleeping crownshot!”

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Plano competition that will help you whenever you compete for Miss Texas?

Authenticity, authenticity, authenticity! Oftentimes, it is so easy to look around the dressing room at the other candidates and begin to compare yourself and your qualifications for the job. However, at the Miss Plano competition, I remained authentic to my character while finding gratitude in the little successes throughout the day! As I continue my journey to the Miss Texas crown, I will always call upon my experiences staying true to myself. 

What surprised you about your time as Miss Plano?

As a longtime candidate in the Miss America Organization, I am constantly looking to better myself and redefine what it means to be the best public figure, leader, and titleholder I can be. This being said, I was surprised just how much I have grown as Miss Plano, despite having completed several years prior. The COVID-19 Pandemic brought on countless opportunities to grow in my online influence and my ability to communicate virtually! Additionally, I found an amazing support system in my board of directors and now have an even deeper understanding of what it means to intentionally create long lasting friendships!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Live Fearless: Defining Life Without Limits”?

As a child, I was diagnosed with a rare speech impediment called “blocking.” For most of my life, I was not able to articulate simple sentences, introduce myself to new faces, order my own food at a restaurant, let alone succeed in an organization characterized by public speaking. When I began competing in the Miss America Org., I quickly realized the direct correlation between confidence and success in regards to my ability to speak in front of others! Needless to say, I faced my biggest fear of stuttering in public and developed a passion for articulate communication. I found tremendous growth stepping outside of my comfort zone and vowed to make the most of every opportunity I was given. I created my social impact initiative and school program with one focus: Living Fearlessly. I aim to inspire everyone to face their own adversity head on and find confidence in fearlessly pursuing their dreams, just as I did in the Miss America Organization.  

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

As a longtime performer and vocalist, I have always aimed to create an emotional shared experience for each audience I perform for! I believe the most intangible, meaningful forms of communication come from the arts, specifically music. During my talent, I strive to evoke powerful emotion not only in the judges, but from every audience member in the auditorium. My favorite part of performing onstage is feeling the magic of the lights, crowd, and most importantly, the music. If one person is moved by my performance, I have done my job. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I am a fitness JUNKIE! I begin my day with an early morning workout consisting of weight training and cardio! My FAVORITE workouts include cycle classes, deadlifts, squats, and climbing on the StairMaster! I have a passion for clean eating and partake in a low carb diet that is also rich in protein! I prioritize sleep, exercise, and proactive organization to ensure that my physical and mental health consistently remain the best that they can be. 

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

If I could be any Disney character for a week, I would choose Mary Poppins! I have always been inspired by her tenacity, genuine heart, and passion for achieving the impossible! Mary once said, “Anything can happen if you let it.” I believe in this wholeheartedly, especially when I am speaking to children about overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals! Overall, Mary inspires the best in all of us and sprinkles a little magic along the way!  

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

I would take my brother, Grayson! I was so fortunate to grow up going to Ranger games with my younger brother and parents! We had seats near home plate and I will never forget how much fun we had cheering on our favorite team and watching the fireworks! My brother and I especially had a great time eating all of the ballpark desserts, looking out for foul balls, and singing “Deep in the Heart of Texas” at the top of our lungs. Needless to say, I would love to recreate those experiences with my brother! 

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

Amidst the pandemic, the Texas Rangers opened their new ballpark, “Globe Life Field!” This brand new facility sits next to the old stadium and is complete with a retractable roof and upgraded seating and restaurants! As soon as it is safe to do so, I would love to attend a game in this space and learn more about their new home!  

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It’s always fun to get to explore a new ballpark!

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

As Landry continues her time as Miss Plano, I encourage you to check out her official 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 whenever she competes for the Miss Texas title. It would be wonderful to have Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Landry, and good luck!