Heather Renner Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Heather Renner is passionate about breaking the fourth wall, a talented singer, and the current Miss Nevada. 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 Heather Renner visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Nevada crown?

After the stage portion of competition had concluded (and after we had wrapped up taking pictures with all my favorite people), the Miss Nevada board threw myself and my darling teen, Megan, an amazing party. Many of the Forever Miss Nevadas were in attendance, and I was overjoyed to start asking them all about their Miss America experiences so I know what to expect! 

The next morning, we had breakfast with the judges where I had the opportunity to thank them for changing my life. I then probably went home and ate ice cream with my mom! 

What is something that Macie Tuell did as Miss Nevada that you would like to emulate or expand upon?

I have looked up to Macie since the very beginning of my journey in the Miss America Organization. I had the pleasure of competing with her my very first year at state competition, in 2014. Macie has been an incredible advocate for those with Alzheimer’s and an role model to all Nevadans for her tenacity and humor. 

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

I can’t wait for the talent event! Being able to showcase my opera artistry is always a pleasure. Through my work with my performing arts-based Social Impact Initiative, I have learned that kids secretly love opera! It’s so important to make classical singing accessible through a high-energy performance, as well as offering translations into English so American audiences can actually connect to the material. I believe that most people who don’t like classical vocal music just haven’t found the right performer yet!! And it is so exciting to think that I could be that performer for the Miss America audience. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Breaking the Fourth Wall”?

When I started my journey in theater, I was incredibly shy. I didn’t know if I had anything valuable to say, so I mostly kept quiet. Theater gave me an accepting environment where I could start to break out of my shell. Speaking in front of large groups became easier, I found a strengthened sense of self-worth, and I began to live more positively and consciously. Teaching kids to tap into their creativity helps them understand that they can be anything they want to be: if they want to be more confident, well-spoken, or kind, they can make up a character with those qualities and “act” as that character until those qualities become second-nature. Our kids need these skills now more than ever because of the social isolation they experienced during virtual learning; I am so happy to help young Nevadans break out of their shells. That’s the power of performing! 

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

The aria I will be performing, “Mein Herr Marquis” is very comedic. Most of the trills and runs in the song are written as laughter, so I can really ham it up. I want the audience to laugh along with me, and they usually do!! 

Which role in a Broadway musical would you most want to play?

Carlotta from “Phantom of the Opera” is a dream role of mine. She has these fabulous coloratura songs that fit my voice perfectly, has to do minimal amounts of dancing, and gets to wear ornate gowns the whole show. What else could you ask for?! 

“Phantom” was the musical that made me realize I loved musical theater. It was also the reason I started classical vocal training! 

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

…when I am at the gym. I can now do three consecutive pull-ups, which might not sound like much, but that would have been unfathomable a year ago. Seeing the improvement in my muscles has made me feel so powerful and confident! 

If you had an extra ticket to Reno Aces baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would definitely choose my best friend, Ethan! We grew up together in Reno, so I always see him when I am in town. There’s no one I would rather spend the game with than him. Although… I think both of us would be more interested in the snacks than the game itself! 

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

Hmm… well I have been very lucky to sing the national anthem at games in the past, so I don’t know what new experiences I’m missing out on! Perhaps a cotton candy eating contest would be up my alley… I would definitely win!

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That would be a fun contest! 

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

As Heather continues her time as Miss Nevada, I encourage you to check out her title's website and Instagram. You can also be sure to follow her personal Instagram! 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 Heather, and good luck!

Brooklyn Toli Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Brooklyn Toli is passionate about the arts, a talented dancer, and the current Miss South Coast. 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 Brooklyn Toli visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss South Coast crown?

I got dinner at Barrett’s with my family.  The pageant day was a total of 12 hours, so I was very excited to sit down, relax and eat a burger!  I was also very eager to discuss my gratitude and plans for the year as Miss South Coast. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss South Coast competition that will help you whenever you get to compete for Miss Massachusetts?

I learned that I like to keep busy and moving during the day. There is always help needed on a pageant day.  Whether it is last minute decorations in the lobby, gathering tables for everyone to use, or setting up for a princess tea party, I like to keep myself occupied.  It’s nice when there are a lot of girls competing because there is always someone that could use an extra hand.  

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

I would love to reach a large audience to encourage girls and young women to become involved in the Miss America Organization.  I will speak on the benefits of involvement and how anyone with the desire to pursue this journey, should reach out and do it!  As the recent founder of the Pageant Vault, I am hoping that girls and women who never thought they would have the opportunity to compete, become aware of the different resources they have to support them.  I know that many jobs and experiences I have had are because of my involvement with the Miss America Organization.  Even from my very first pageant at 14, where I walked away with no awards, I met amazing people and got my first job as a tap teacher.  (Thank you, Lauren and Kevin of Illusion’s Academy of Dance!)

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Building Confidence Through Performing Arts”?

When I was 14, I began to realize that the performing arts can be a luxury, while really, they should be integrated into all educational institutions.  I developed important life skills growing up in dance classes.  I learned to be adaptable, creative, reliable, and built confidence in myself.  The support system you have from fellow performing artists while growing up is like no other.  I felt compelled to make sure others had the opportunity to build confidence through performing arts just as I did, so I began by volunteering and teaching free tap classes at Girls Inc. of Taunton.  I am very thankful to Girls Inc, as they allowed me to come into their after-school program to work with girls and teach them a new skill that would build their confidence while incidentally, this helped build my own confidence through my teen years.  I encourage all teenagers to use their talents to give back to younger students.  The impact works both ways.  

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

First off, thank you very much! When I am performing, I am able to fully live in the moment.  Maybe it sounds cliché, but nothing else matters in that moment on stage.  Performing brings me sincere joy and tap dancing has always been my favorite dance style to perform.  As a tap dancer, you are able to convey your message through movement and sound.  The rhythms I play truly come from my soul, and I know that my love for tap dance is fueled by my love for music.  I feel and hear what I want to say before I choreograph my routines.  I will say, I have the most fun performing with my friends on stage, as we’re able to communicate through performance and it is a feeling like no other.  The opening number is one of my favorite parts of the competition. I have vivid memories of the smiles I have shared with my fellow candidates. 

You started “The Pageant Vault”. What can you tell me about that?

The Pageant Vault was created to ensure individuals of all socioeconomic backgrounds have the resources necessary to participate in pageants and scholarship competitions.  Anybody interested is able to take pageant wear at no charge.  Nobody should be excluded from organizations working to support strong, talented, smart leaders. The Pageant Vault works to support individuals by providing the resources that will help them build a wardrobe for the competition.  This may be the very thing holding someone back from participating. 

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

I would be Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  When I was younger, I was drawn to her because she is a dancer, but I am now drawn to her as she is a fun and sassy character who has no problem using her voice to stand up for what she believes in.

   

If you had an extra ticket to a Red Sox game at Fenway, who would you bring with you? Why?

I would bring my sister, Presley.  She is the reason I enjoy watching baseball!  I grew up watching her play softball and it is definitely my favorite sport to watch.  

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

No matter the occasion, I always look forward to the food that comes along. (Anyone that knows me knows this, lol.)  I am not even a huge hotdog fan, but I feel that you must get a Fenway Frank when you visit Fenway Park!  Of course, I enjoy the pump-up music, and the feeling of being in a Boston crowd as well.

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I sure miss being in that crowd!

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

As Brooklyn continues her time as Miss South Coast, I encourage you to check out her official Facebook page and Instagram account. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything she’ll have going on. 

You should also follow the instagram account for The Pageant Vault and help support this great cause.

I definitely want to wish her the best of luck whenever she competes for the Miss Massachusetts title. It would be wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Brooklyn, and good luck!

Dana Harrison Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Dana Harrison is passionate about the arts, a talented stage performer, and the current Miss San Fernando Valley. I was thrilled she visited us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Dana Harrison visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss San Fernando Valley crown?

Well first, like any pageant girl, I cried tears of joy! Prior to last year when I won my first local title, I had competed persistently for over half a decade, never winning a title, and sometimes not even placing. So I knew when my name was called, I was so fortunate! I was also so surprised and excited because this will now be my second time being a titleholder, and being exposed to so many incredible opportunities! I was also blessed to celebrate this with some of my best friends!

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

To be honest, I don't think I am nervous about the Miss California competition, I am just so excited to have the opportunity that not many women get to have-a chance to compete for my dream job of being Miss California! On the other hand, with everything regarding the COVID-19, and even seeing some of the final competitions be postponed, it does make me a bit apprehensive-will our state competition get pushed back now? As of now, I am unsure, but I believe that what ever happens will happen for a reason with the ultimate best interest for all of us candidates.

What has surprised you the most about your time as Miss San Fernando Valley?

I think what's surprised me most of all is the support I have already received from the community of San Fernando Valley! While I am not a resident, nor am I from the area (although I do have family in the San Fernando Valley), I have been welcomed with open arms to this community! I plan to spend my spring break and various weekends without my reign doing as much as I can for this community. When I competed for this title, I told my judges that while I currently live in Sacramento, my heard would be with San Fernando Valley this year because it would mean so much to me push myself out of my comfort zone, and expand to new horizons! San Fernando Valley, I am ready to make an impact!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Enriching People’s Lives Through the Performing Arts”?

Photo by Image Society

I have been involved in the performing arts since I was five years old, and I have also volunteered and taught musical theatre to kids of all ages. With that being said, I know for a fact that my confidence would not be as strong, and I can say the same for my students, if we hadn't been exposed to the performing arts. The performing arts provides opportunities for anyone to grow, challenge themselves, and most importantly, express themselves in a way that is truly beautiful, and is free of ridicule and judgement. Also, in the long run, the performing arts increases and improves academic attendance, discipline, and motivation!

What do you enjoy most about performing on stage?

There is so much I love about performing on stage! I don't even get nervous anymore, because any stage I perform on is my comfort zone! Above all, I think the opportunities performing can bring you are endless, and for an optimistic person like myself, that is so much fun! I get to be creative, entertaining, but most importantly, I get to make people smile, and feel a special type of way, and that is initially one of my favorite aspects of social impact, as well as just performing in general. 

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

Ooohh, I love this! Well although I am known for performing Ursula's solo, "Poor Unfortunate Souls", and she is a favorite, but if I could be a Disney character for a week, I would pick Rapunzel! She has also been a favorite of mine because of her determination, her creativity, her hair, and her love for wanting to meet new people, and explore new opportunities!

As a Giants fan, who is your favorite Red Sox player? Why?

Well, when I think of the Red Sox, I think of an ultimate baseball legend who happened to play for the Red Sox-Babe Ruth! I think a team to have an icon like that in their history is incredible! While many admired The Babe for his skill, I think I truly admired how respectful he was of others!

If you had an extra ticket to a Giants-A’s game, who would you bring with you? Why?

I think I would bring my long-time MAO mentor and friend, Tony Moises! Like myself, Tony is a huge Giants fan, and being able to share an experience like this would be a way to treat him, and thank him for all he's done for me in the nearly eight years he's known and helped me!

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

I have been to many Giants games in my past, and they are so much fun! But, I would love to one day either sing the national anthem, or throw out the first pitch! Being able to share my passion of singing while honoring America for my favorite team would be a memory so near and dear to my heart! 

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Those would be wonderful things to be able to do!

As usual, I want to thank Dana for visiting and for sending along the fantastic pictures that accompany the interview. They make the whole thing so much better.

As Dana continues her time as Miss San Fernando Valley, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram. It’s the best way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything she’ll have going on.

I also want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss California title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor to wear that crown!

Thanks again Dana, and good luck!