Jordan Naylor Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Jordan Naylor is passionate about CPR, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Alaska. 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 Jordan Naylor visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Alaska crown? 

I had a big plate of pasta with my best friend. After seeing all of my family and taking a lot of photos, relaxing with my best friend was the perfect way to finish the evening. 

What is something Jessica Reisinger did as Miss Alaska that you would like to emulate? 

Jessica is an amazing human. Being able to attend Med school AND be Miss Alaska?? Wow. I hope that I can attend a lot of the same events and continue to support some of the organizations that she focused on throughout her year. Also, just being a light like she was. Every time I saw her, she had a smile on her face and was enjoying every moment. That is my goal-- serve with a smile and enjoy every single moment. 

Having previously served as both Miss Alaska’s Teen and as Miss Alaska USA, do you think that national experience will help you at the Miss America competition?

 I think my previous experience gives me an idea of what to expect going to a national pageant and maybe be slightly more prepared than I even was attending Miss USA. It will definitely help me pack! 

How did you select your Community Service Initiative? 

Each and every day, I meet someone who has dealt with cardiovascular disease in some capacity. It could be through the death of a family member or friend, living with the disease themselves, or knowing someone who lives with the disease. It is a silent and deadly killer. Last year, the entire nation saw the importance of CPR. When Damar Hamilton went down the EMTs were right there to keep his heart beating. Living in a place like Alaska, we have a much larger area and it takes longer for emergency services to get to you if you go down on a hike, or while you're camping, or fishing, or just at your cabin. For some people, they live 70 miles from the closest medical professional by dog sled. It is critical for Alaskans to learn hands only CPR because it could be the difference between life and death in SO many situations. I want to be a force that helps Alaskans feel confident that they can step in during that emergency situation. 

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

I feel like I get to show so much of my personality when I am dancing. The sass and fun side I get to portray is so much fun for me.

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

Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. He's so cool. I would like to see what it's like being a dragon, I mean why not. 

What is your personal fitness routine? 

I work with Morgan Morgan and she is AMAZING. My fitness routine fluctuates with my goals. I love a good lifting session in the gym, but you can also catch me hiking in Alaska. Thankfully, when you live in the land of the midnight sun the hikes are endless and beautiful. 

If you had an extra ticket to see an Alaska Baseball League game, who would you take with you? Why? 

I am actually throwing the first pitch at a Glacier Pilots game this weekend! I am taking my mom. We love going and supporting the teams. Also, who doesn't love to sit and enjoy America's favorite pastime? My mom is the best plus one to every event. We are always laughing and having a great time. I am really excited to spend this next year with her at all of the events I am able to attend. 

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

Throwing the first pitch at a game was one of the first things I put on my list that I wanted to do as Miss Alaska. I am excited to be marking that one off this weekend at the Summer Solstice Game. It is a double header that starts at 9pm, and we never have to turn the stadium lights on because the sun never sets. Just another wonder of living in Alaska. 

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She did a great job with that pitch too!

As always, I want to thank Jordan 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 Jordan during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account and website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything. 

Thanks again Jordan, and good luck!

Jude Maboné Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Jude Maboné is passionate about heart health, an avid traveler, and the current Miss District of Columbia. 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 Jude Maboné visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss District of Columbia crown?

After being crowned, I headed to Ristorante iRicchi, a woman-owned, Tuscan restaurant, and Miss District of Columbia Organization sponsor for an afterparty with my family and friends. It was a perfect DC night so we mingled outside on the piazza. I didn't have much time to eat so fortunately the staff packed me a large box of pasta to take home! In the first few days after crowing, I continued my celebration by reaching out to people who played a part in my story and thanking them for helping me get to this point. The crown I wear is a reflection of the people who have invested in me and believed in me from the very beginning so it was important to me that I let them all know how much I value their support.

What part of the Upcoming Miss America Competition are you most excited about?

I am really excited to perform my talent. It's not every day that I have a captive audience for 90 seconds that I can serenade. I love to perform and am excited to share my talent with a wider audience. Outside of the actual competition, I am looking forward to connecting with the other women in this program. I have met my best friends competing in pageants and I'm hoping I find some other really good friends this year!

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

If I can get even one person to get a preemptive heart screening that's enough for me, but of course I want to get as many people as I can to check their hearts. I work with some really cool organizations that make this easy and accessible and am excited to see how we can scale our work during this year so that we can protect more hearts and save more lives.

How did you select your “heart health” community service initiative?

I had my first heart attack when I was sixteen years old. I was on a standard five mile run during a summer cross country practice when I started having chest pains, profuse sweating, and trouble breathing. Without a cellphone and with nowhere to go I made my way a mile back to my high school and was rushed to the hospital. This would be the first of six heart attacks that occurred within the next two years of my life. I am someone who is living with heart disease but by the grace of God and good medicine I am also thriving with heart disease. 

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans nationwide but receives very little funding. I believe that's due in part to the stigma around it. People are taught to believe that heart disease is a symptom of poor life choices but that's not true. I'm hopeful that by sharing my story and offering tangible ways to protect hearts and save lives more people will get preemptive heart screenings, and become CPR and AED aware. I'm also hoping that my continued lobbying will lead to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act being passed in more states and that more research dollars will be allocated to heart disease. 

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

I love connecting with the story of my song and personifying the music. I often forget that I'm doing a pageant while performing my talent because I get so into the music. I don't frequently have an audience to sing opera or classical music to so I love to soak up every second of it. I've always been a very expressive person, especially with my face, so when you're watching my talent watch my face because if I'm doing it right, it will tell the whole story of the song.

What is your personal fitness routine?

I'm an avid runner and weightlifter. I love to feel strong and I love the way I feel after a hard workout. I typically run and lift about five days a week, but if it's too hot or too cold you can find me on the Peloton. 

As an avid traveler, what’s your favorite place you’ve visited?

This is a tough one! I recently spent a few weeks in Japan which was amazing but I also love Germany and Italy a lot. I was an international studies major at American University so I'm a total culture geek. If we're talking about domestic travel then it's got to be Palm Springs, California. That's my happy place and my favorite place outside of the District of Columbia. 

What were you doing when the Washington Nationals won the 2019 World Series?

Screaming my head off with joy! I went to game 4 of the playoffs (we lost) and was really worried that we weren't going to win but they turned it around and it was awesome. I'm pretty sure I lost my voice during that game. Fortunately, all of my neighbors were also screaming so no one called a noise complaint. 

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

I have always wanted to throw the first pitch at a game. I was a division I track and cross country athlete so hand-eye coordination is not exactly my strength, but I've always thought that would be a fun bucket list item to cross off. I would also love to race the presidents at a Nats game. Hey, Nationals, give me a call!

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That would be so much fun!

As always, I want to thank Jude 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 Jude during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account and website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything. 

Thanks again Jude, and good luck!

Lianna Hartshorn Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Lianna Hartshorn is passionate about a healthy heart, a future doctor, and the current Miss New Mexico. I was so honored that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Lianna Hartshorn visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss New Mexico crown?

After winning Miss New Mexico, I celebrated with my family and friends. They were the ones who supported me along the way, so the fact I could celebrate them on achieving my dream job was so surreal. I plan on continuing to celebrate my success every day by dedicating my time to my dream job, and savoring every moment I spend with my community and representing my state. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss New Mexico competition that will help you at Miss America?

During Miss New Mexico week, I got to meet so many beautiful, successful, and smart women around the state. What I learned during my experience is to be confident in the work I put in. I learned to trust in God’s wisdom, timing, and plan for me. I became so close with the girls I competed with, and I was happy to celebrate their successes, as they celebrated mine. I can’t wait to experience the sisterhood and make new friends at Miss America. 

What is something Kaitlin Kerl did as Miss New Mexico that you would like to emulate?

Kaitlin Kerl, my former Miss New Mexico, brought so much attention to STEM. As a fellow woman in STEM, I would like to continue her legacy to inspire fellow women and minorities to pursue STEM as well. I was also inspired by her use of social media to grow the Miss New Mexico Organization, and I hope to continue to use modern technology to grow the platform as well. Finally, even though she passed her title to me, Kaitlin and I still keep in contact. She is a beautiful woman inside and out and her love for the New Mexico community has made such an impact on my life and others. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “How to Start a Healthy Heart”?

I chose “How To Start A Healthy Heart” as my social impact initiative for many reasons. Initially, I chose it because my family has a history of heart health disease. Seeing what my family has had to go through because of their heart health, I started my journey to ensure I did not fall into the same fate. Through research, I learned that heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. I was also surprised to learn that most heart disease is preventable. Through dedication and research, I have become the healthiest version of myself, physically and mentally, and decided to share my knowledge and passion with New Mexico. Using my love for science and human health, I have been able to make appearances that teach students about the anatomy of the heart, how their habits affect it, basic CPR, and more. I hope to change the statistics, change America’s health habits for the better, and equip people with life-saving knowledge. 

You’re currently PreMed at NMSU. Where do you see those studies taking you?

I am entering my senior year at NMSU where I am pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Being a woman and minority in STEM has not been easy, but I am blessed to have the opportunity to chase my dreams and put my intelligence to use. I aspire to become a medical doctor and specialize as a pediatric surgeon. Because of my involvement within the Miss America Organization, that dream becomes a lot more attainable through the scholarship money I have been awarded. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

In alignment with my social impact initiative and #missamericafit, I take my health very seriously. I go to the gym several times a week and ensure I am eating a balanced diet. I also take care of my mental health by ensuring I have enough time for myself and maintaining my relationships with my family, friends, and God. 

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

If I could be a Disney character for a week, I would be Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Fun fact, I have already dressed up as Belle many times to do readings for students. To encourage and instill the importance of education. I love Belle because she pursues her education, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

If you had an extra ticket to an Albuquerque Isotopes game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my cousin if I had an extra ticket to an Albuquerque Isotopes game! Zacchaeus loves baseball and frequently goes to Albuquerque to play. Though he is in middle school, he aspires to pursue college baseball. He works hard every day for it. 

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

I would love to open a baseball game by singing the National Anthem and throwing the first pitch! Showing my pride as an American by singing to such an audience would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 

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Definitely an amazing experience!

As always, I want to thank Lianna 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 Lianna during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything. 

Thanks again Lianna, and good luck!

Jozalene Molina Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Jozalene Molina is an 

advocate for women's heart health, a talented contortionist, and the current Miss Riverside City. I was glad she was interested in visiting with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Jozalene Molina visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Riverside City crown?

After winning Miss Riverside City I celebrated with my family members who came out to show support me. We celebrated by going to one of my favorite food restaurants which is IHOP!! 

What has surprised you the most about your time as Miss Riverside City?

With my time as Miss Riverside City I’m most surprised about how authentic the sisterhood is! With the #MissCaliforniaClassof2020 we all bond with each other and show support to one another. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Riverside City competition that will help you at Miss California?

One thing I learned about myself while competing for the title of Miss Riverside City competition that would help me for Miss California would be that I feed off of crowd excitement/ cheering. This will help me for Miss California because it gives me more confidence as I walk across the stage.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Women’s Heart Health”?

I knew I wanted my social impact to be Woman’s Heart Health when I found out I had a heart condition. With my heart condition, every so often I have to come home wearing a heart monitor and I felt so embarrassed. I came to realization that I’m not the only one with a heart condition and I wanted to spread the word to all the beautiful girls and woman to embrace yourself no matter of you have a heart condition or not. 

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

As a dancer and contortionist I’m on stage about 3-4 times a week performing shows to elementary school students around the Inland Empire with a traveling performing team called Ambassadors! While being on stage, there’s so many parts I enjoy. When I perform I look in the audience and see people amazed or clapping with a big smile on their face . I personally love to share a story using my body as an instrument, but when a person in the audience comes up to me after I performed and say wow you truly touched me, thats when I know I did my job as a performer.

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

Oh man that’s very hard to choose!! If I had to be a Disney character for one week, I would choose to be Boo from Monsters Inc!!! As a little girl I would watch Monsters Inc. non-stop on relay all the time. In fact, Boo was my first doll growing up! Growing up walking around with my Boo doll people would tell me I looked like her and I was in AWHH always wanted to be her. 

As a Dodgers fan, how excited were you when they traded for Mookie Betts?

As a Dodgers fan, I was really excited when they traded for Mookie Betts because I knew he would bring food to our team with being a right fielder for us.

Is there a feature or activity at a Dodgers game that you would especially like to experience?

At a Dodgers game I would love to experience being able to go down to the field and looking up into the stadium with thousand of people sitting in their seats. I also can’t forget to say an experience I would also love would to meet all the Dodger players!!! 

If you had an extra ticket to a Dodgers game, who would you bring with you? Why?

If I had an extra ticket to the Dodgers game, I would definitely take my little sister! Both my sister and I are Dodgers fans and I think it would be a good idea for both of us to get out and bond together over the fun drive over there as well as watching the game.

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That definitely sounds like a good time.

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

As Jozalene continues her time as Miss Riverside City, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram and Facebook Page. It’s a great 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 whenever she competes for the Miss California title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Jozalene, and good luck!