Natalie Demos Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Natalie Demos is passionate about advocating for mental health, a nursing student, and the current Miss River Valley. I was so glad she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Natalie Demos visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss River Valley crown?

I celebrated in so many ways! First though, I hugged my friends/sister queens that came from all over to support me. After crowning I called my family! Unfortunately my family couldn’t make it to see the competition so they were all waiting by the phone. I FaceTimed my parents and my sisters to share the exciting news. However, the biggest call was to my brother who is in the military. I haven’t seen him in almost 2.5 years so I wanted to share this moment with him. Following the competition I celebrated with my friends at dinner and a big sleepover!

What has been the biggest surprise about your time as Miss River Valley?

Personally, it was the announcement of the organization changes for the Miss America Organization. I think when the changes were announced many of us were worried how it would impact state competitions and moving forward. But these changes make me excited for the future of the organization, the more opportunities the organization will be able to provide and the further impact we will make as an organization.

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

With any big event I think there will always be some jitters but

I’m honestly not nervous. I’ve learned through my journey that there’s a reason I’m here and it’s to make an impact. So with every phase of competition I’m excited to be able to make that impact whether that be through a fellow contestant, a judge or someone in the crowd.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Let’s Talk About It”?

I’ve been battling Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression my whole life. In 2018 I was institutionalized for my mental health and received treatment that saved my life. However growing up, mental health wasn’t spoken about and I wasn’t educated on it. Therefore I went untreated for the first 18 years of my life. When I started competing in this program, I wanted to advocate for something that was something I advocated for without a crown on. I created Let’s Talk About It before I won my first title and it’s a movement that removes the stigma around mental health my starting that conversation. My hope is to provide the education and awareness the mental health community deserves so that others don’t have to get to a life threatening moment before they get their help they need, just like I did.

What is your favorite part about performing your talent on stage?

I grew up in a home built on music where my dad always taught us that music is a way for us to express ourselves, to tell a story. I love every part of performing my talent because I get to put music in the audiences hearts, tell my story and give them a break from reality for a moment. Even if it is only 90 seconds.

You are currently studying nursing at Rasmussen University. What drew you to that field?

Nursing has been my dream for quite sometime but I went through MANY career ideas before taking that leap of faith. I always have had a passion for serving others. As a child going to the doctor, and even into adulthood, I always felt more comfortable with the nurses that treated me. They made me feel seen and I want to be that for someone else. My ultimate goal is to obtain my Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) so I can become a certified nurse practitioner to treat patients and leave that impact on a provider level.

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

The goofy side kicks/supporting characters have always been

my favorite in Disney movies. My favorite goofy supporting character is Timon from the Lion King so I would probably be him! Plus, who wouldn’t want to be besties with Pumba?

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

I would give my ticket to my mom and the extra ticket to my dad! Growing up my parents always worked and we unfortunately didn’t have the funds to go on family vacations or big events like an MLB game. So I would give them the tickets so they could experience that together like a day date for them! 

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

It would be SO cool to throw the first pitch or even catch a ball! Or even sing the national anthem! Any opportunity would just be such a joy!

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I hope she gets that opportunity! 

As always, I want to thank Natalie 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 Minnesota! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Natalie during her journey as Miss River Valley. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account as well as the one for Let's Talk About It. You can also follow her personal Instagram account. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Natalie, and good luck!

Lily Parker Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Lily Parker is passionate about stomping out the stigma around mental illness, a talented singer, and the current Miss Queen of the West. I was excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. I was also thrilled that she is the first visitor representing the state of Oklahoma!

So, let's see what happens when Lily Parker Visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Queen of the West crown?

My best friend and fellow title holder, Ava Cruchon, and I got all the best food at Braums in Elk City!  

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

There isn’t one specific area I can pinpoint. I am completely new to the entire world of Miss America and pageantry, so I have a bit of nerves being a rookie. However, having an extra year due to the pandemic has given me time to learn so much, and I am honestly super excited to compete in Miss Oklahoma!

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your remaining time as Miss Queen of the West?

I would really like to host a virtual benefit concert to raise money for mental health awareness. I am a music theater major at Oklahoma City University, which means I am surrounded by the most talented people, and I would love to have them join me in this benefit concert.

How did you select your social impact initiative “Stomping Out Stigma”?

Mental health awareness has been a big part of my life after

my older brother, Matthew, died at the age of 21. He had struggled his whole life with social anxiety and depression. When I had to opportunity to create a social impact initiative for my local title, “Stomping Out Stigma” seemed like the perfect path for me to create conversations about mental health in his honor. His mental illnesses were not something I was aware of growing up until right before he passed away, but maybe if I did know sooner and had a better understanding of mental illnesses, things could have been different. There are so many people out there just like my brother. 1 in 5 adults will have a mental illness in any given year, but only half of these people receive the help they need. This lack of care is greatly due to the stigma that surrounds mental illness and treatment. I feel this stigma myself. After the loss of my brother, I greatly struggled with my mental health and still do. I started going to therapy and while it helped me in so many ways, I was embarrassed by it. I felt as though something was wrong with me, and that it was my fault for not being able to handle everything on my own. Thankfully, I know these thoughts are false, and I have made it my mission to make treating and discussing mental health as common as we treat physical health.

What is your favorite part about performing your talent on stage?

I love the feeling of fully immersing myself in song, to the point where all the stresses and worries of life fade away for a few minutes. I feel like I can transport myself into another world and be a different person, and when the audience can be transported with me, it feels like magic.

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

I would have to be my life long, all-time favorite princess, The Little Mermaid Ariel! As a little girl, all I dreamed of was to sing like Ariel. I was also seriously obsessed with mermaids, and who wouldn’t want to be a mermaid for a week??

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

I get great satisfaction when I make a difference in someone’s life. I always grew up doing service work through my church and school, and there is nothing like the feeling of helping someone. That is part of why I love my job as Miss Queen of the West because I get to serve my communities and inspire others.

Growing up in Missouri, what did you enjoy about attending StL Cardinals games?

My favorite part has to be the ballpark foods! I love all the classics: hotdogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and Dippin’ Dots! It was also always fun to be able to see the St. Louis Arch above the baseball field!

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

If I had the chance to do anything at a baseball game, it would have to be sing the National Anthem at the beginning of them game! But a close second to that would be to shoot the t-shirt canon!

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Oh, I bet those cannons are lots of fun! 

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

As Lily continues her time as Miss Queen of the West, I encourage you to follow her Instagram account and check out her website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on!

I also definitely want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss Oklahoma title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Lily, and good luck!

Elle Mark Visits Section 36!

Photo by
Makayla Rae Photography

Section 36 has another visitor! Elle Mark is passionate about mental health, a talented singer, and the current Miss St. Croix Valley Festival. I was excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Elle Mark visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss St. Croix Valley Festival crown?
The first thing I did was cry a little - I was truly shocked! Then, my family and I went to the local pub and ordered pizza while debriefing the whole day. I had been preparing diligently for a month prior for just one big day - there was a lot to discuss!

What has surprised you about your time as Miss St. Croix Valley Festival?
I was crowned on February 29th, so the pandemic hadn't quite hit yet. Once it did and quarantine began, I thought I would be lacking engagement and volunteer opportunities - which is my favorite part of being a titleholder. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has instead encouraged me to become creative in how I reach the people in the communities I serve and beyond! I found ways to volunteer while practicing CDC guidelines, upped my social media game, and somehow still managed to "meet" new people despite our far distances thanks to Zoom! Though it isn't what I expected, it has truly been a lot of fun.

 
What part of the upcoming Miss Minnesota competition are you most nervous about?
The competition has been postponed to June of 2021, which

has been a blessing in terms of the extra time to prepare. However, I have to admit that I am nervous it may be postponed again! I have been ready to interview for the job of Miss Minnesota since this last May and I am eager to prove to the judges that I would be a phenomenal representative for the organization. I am counting down the days!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “The Campaign to Change Direction”?

I LOVE this question! I was diagnosed with a mental health disorder while in college and I felt very alone. I didn't really want to tell anyone and was ashamed to ask for the help that I desperately needed. I stumbled upon the Campaign to Change Direction as a resource for those who are struggling and for those who love someone that is struggling. As a global non-profit, they are passionate about helping all who are battling a mental health disorder by reminding them that they are not alone and connecting them with local resources to help them heal. 

When I found healing, I got involved with a local Change Direction Steering Committee. I learned they do so much more than just help to treat mental illness, they also work to prevent it through the "5 Healthy Habits of Emotional Well-being"! At the time, I was in school for Public Health and pursuing the title of Certified Prevention Professional. My passion for preventing mental illness and promoting mental wellness came naturally after that! 

I continue to share the "5 Healthy Habits of Emotional Well-being" across the state as a titleholder and I am working to get a local steering committee started in Minnesota. I am eager to continue this work as  Miss Minnesota! 

How would you complete the sentence, “I get great satisfaction when…”?
I am making others happy!

Photo by 
Makayla Rae Photography

As a talented singer, what is your favorite part about performing on stage?
I love taking on a persona of someone else when I am performing! Even better is when I can personally relate to the lyrics and / or character and I can find moments of healing through performing. 

If you could play a role in a Disney musical, who would you choose? Why?
Cinderella! Growing up, my favorite movie was the musical version of Cinderella starring Brandy. I have dreamt of playing her ever since! 

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

I would definitely take my dad to a Twins game. He is the one who introduced me to baseball at the young age of 6. He was even my T-ball coach! While I wasn't great at playing the sport (I got hit in the eye while playing first base and decided I should stick to performing arts), I always enjoyed watching baseball on our big TV on our porch with him. We still bond over our shared love for the team today! 

Is there a feature or activity at a Twins game that you’d especially like to experience?
The list is LONG for this question, so I'll try my best to narrow it down. I've always wanted to join the "mascot race" they have every game, even though I would definitely lose! I'm sure it is harder than it looks! I also dream of singing the national anthem for the Twins someday... Maybe as Miss Minnesota 2021, eh? 

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Those would all be wonderful to try!

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

As Elle continues her time as Miss St. Croix Valley Festival, I encourage you to check out her Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on! You should also check out her website for more help in promoting mental wellness!

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

 
Thanks again Elle, and good luck!

Therran Adams Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Therran Adams is passionate about first responders mental health, a talented harpist, and the current Miss Washington County. 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 Therran Adams visits Section 36!

What made you want to participate in the Miss VT preliminary program as Miss Washington County? 

I wanted to participate in the program after my sister was Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen 2018. My mother was also a contestant for both Miss New York and Miss Vermont many years ago. What really drew me in was the service and scholarship piece. I really want to use my voice to make a difference, and I think being Miss Washington County and hopefully Miss Vermont is the right channel for me. And the scholarship is going towards completing my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with Southern New Hampshire University which allows me to further my career and life goals.

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

My goal remains the same no matter what title I hold. I want to break the stigma around mental health, especially when it comes to our first responders. I plan to do that through telling my own story as well as really starting a conversation about the stigmas and beliefs regarding mental health. From the beginning, there has always been a belief that our first responders have to be mentally tough all the time, and it's not realistic. They have an image to uphold, to be tough. And tough guys (or girls) don't have mental health issues. Even people who aren't in an emergency care field have or have had some sort of struggle with their mental health, myself included. So to ask someone who has seen some pretty hard core stuff to keep it to themselves, it isn't possible. I want to bring theconversation of mental health to our emergency and military workers and break those stigmas, especially during these hard times of COVID when our workers haven't been able to really take any time for themselves. We have been going non-stop since the outbreak in February. It's important to care for the people who have always been there to care for us.

What have you learned about yourself from past competitions that will help you whenever you compete for Miss Vermont?

One of the biggest things I learned was how much of myself I

didn't really know. I believed I was comfortable with who I was a person, and competing for Miss Vermont last year was an eye opening experience for me. Throughout preparation, I felt like I was finding parts of myself that didn't feel relevant to the person I want to become, and I think I was a bit unsure of myself and who I really wanted to be. But over the last year I have started to really be more confident as a competitor and a person. Most importantly I am learning to love and embrace who I am while I grow as a person, reminding myself that it's okay to grow, and that no one is perfect.

How did you select your social impact initiative?

My social impact is "Mental Health Matters: Putting First Responders First". I chose my social impact for a few reasons, and I actually love to tell people this story. I personally have struggled with my own mental health for several years, easily ten years to this date. I was bullied in school, I wasn't the type of kid who had very many friends, and overall it was very taxing on my emotions. Through a lot of middle and high school I was either denying there was a problem, or just trying to take each day as it came without knowing what to do. I eventually hit an all time low, questioning whether my presence on this earth would be missed. And I stayed there for longer than was really healthy for anyone to be in that dark place mentally. However, slowly but surely, I set my sights on recovery. I started by embracing the few friends I had a little bit closer, my family even more so, and found more things to be thankful for. Even if it was one thing a day. I also cut out any negative connections that were holding me back. Then I took the next step. Outreach and resourcing. I found a professional that I really connected with and trusted, and that was just over a year ago now, and we've been working together since! The way I look at it, she has been taking the tangled mess of yarn that were my thoughts and past experiences, and weaving a beautiful tapestry that shows who I am on the other side of recovery.

My social impact is being fueled by my own experiences with mental health, as well as my realization as I have worked and trained in this field for three years now. Over those three years I have learned that this is not a conversation that people are wanting to have, nor is it even acceptable to think about in the minds of others. Hearing the stories of friends who want to get help but fear the repercussions from their departments or their peers, or have been fearing that they are too broken to even get help, it breaks my heart to know that  people who are looking to get help... can't. So I want to be their voice. I want to start the battle cry of mental health, that it's normal and it's okay. The battle cry that mental health matters. I will stand with the ones who feel they are alone. No one is ever truly alone. 

You currently work as a firefighter/EMT. What got you interested in that field?

I have always loved the idea of being a firefighter. The running joke in my family is that it came from the first book I learned to read, it was called "Fire Cat". Can you guess what it was about? If you guessed a firefighting cat, that rescues other cats from fires, you were right! Realistically, I attribute my love of helping others to the way I was raised. I was always told to put others first, help without expecting reward. For me, it's the thought of always being there for someone during the absolute worst day of their life, being that person they can rely on. I actually have a favorite line from an interview that John Travolta was a part of when one of his famous movies, "Ladder 49", came out. He said, "You don't question why a fireman is a fireman. You just don't. You know exactly why they are. They're not doing it for the money, they can't be. They're not by nature paid enough. They're doing it from a deep, heartfelt place... Bottom line, man is only alive as much as he can help someone. He's only as valuable as he can help somebody.". And I don't think anyone could've said it better.

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

My favorite part of performing is the transformations that happen from start to end. No matter the performance, there is always this energy that takes over the room and makes you feel like you're not sitting in a performance hall, but instead you're watching the piece come to life. Sometimes it's tranquil, sometimes the energy makes you feel youthful like a kid, and sometimes it just takes you to the place that makes you feel safe and secure. One good example was the piece I performed at last year's competition called "Soaring". I always encouraged listeners to close their eyes and picture something that flies. A cloud, a bird, or maybe a flowing waterfall. No matter the piece or even the instrument, you can almost see it take over the audience, and there's no better feeling then to be the one producing that energy and beauty.

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

My all time favorite character is Merida from Brave. Not only because of my Celtic (Irish and Scottish) history, but because she is so outgoing and driven, and she's not afraid to stand up and speak her mind. She puts her mind to it and doesn't stop till she's reached her goal, and she finds her own way to make the journey special. I can personally relate to her on so many levels, and I almost aspire to be like her, even though she's not real.

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

I would take either my dad or my younger sister. It's really a hard decision. My sister and I have a close bond and were raised Red Sox fans. But I am also very close to my dad, who is also a born and raised Red Sox fan, and taught me and my sister how to be die hard fans like him. My dad and I actually have gone to see one game together, and it was actually my first game at Fenway. So it was even more special to be sharing that moment with him.

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

I'd love to be the one to throw a first pitch, or even just walk out on the field. I'd even just settle for catching a fly ball in the stands.

Bonus event would be attending the Winter Classic at Fenway with the Boston Bruins!

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Those are great events. Wish I had made it to the Winter Classic at Fenway!

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

As Therran continues her time as Miss Washington County, I encourage you to check out her 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 Vermont title. It would be wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Therran, and good luck!

Alysa Bainbridge Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Alysa Bainbridge is passionate about empowering people with mental illness, a Phillies fan, and the current Miss Berks County. I was so glad that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Alysa Bainbridge visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Berks County title?

I went out to dinner with my family, my teen’s family, and my directors - and in true Alysa fashion, I ordered a big pasta dish at 10 PM! There was a lot for us to celebrate. My teen and I had been sister queens the year before and it was so special to be together again! I also held the teen title in the Miss Berks County Organization my first year in Outstanding Teen and was so happy to be back home as “their girl” again.

 

Due to the state of the world at the moment, you also still hold the Miss Philadelphia title. How do you plan to juggle both titles?

It’s been sort of a whirlwind, but I feel so blessed to represent

both of my homes at the same time! Berks County is my hometown and Philly has been my college home for the last four years, and both communities have a piece of my heart. Juggling both hasn’t been too hard so far, since I haven’t had many appearances during pandemic. The hardest part has been coming up with different content for two social media pages! When I get back to doing appearances (hopefully soon!), I plan to do appearances for both titles and continue to partner with organizations in both regions. 

 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Berks County competition that will help you when you compete again for Miss Pennsylvania?

Photo by
Eire Ann Photography

At Miss Berks County, I won the overall talent award. This was a surprise to me because I haven’t danced competitively like I did in high school for years. Talent is the area of competition I would say I get most nervous for, and I actually picked apart my performance quite a bit that night! I learned that I am capable of more than I think and not to be so hard on myself. I’m going to take this attitude with me into all areas of competition at Miss Pennsylvania. 

 

How did you select your “More Than Bipolar” social impact initiative?

I grew up with two siblings who struggled with bipolar disorder

and other mental illnesses. I saw the toll stigma took on them and on the rest of my family, and it broke my heart that outsiders saw my siblings only for the symptoms of their mental illness. I decided I wanted to start a specific campaign that not only raised awareness and started a conversation about mental health, but that empowered individuals living with mental illness and celebrated the wonderful things that make them so much more than a diagnosis. 

The namesake of my platform is based on my siblings’ struggles, but the idea is that any mental illness can be added to the end: #MoreThanAddiction, #MoreThanDepression, etc. 

 

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

I love sharing my heart onstage and the feeling I get when I’m performing. My current talent routine is especially meaningful to me. I do a lyrical dance in honor of my brother, Tyler, who we lost to an opioid overdose in 2018. The message of my song, “Somebody’s Someone”, is the very message of my platform. It’s  specifically about having a brother who struggles with substance use disorder. The message is that, regardless of that circumstance, he and anyone struggling will always matter to someone and should keep fighting. Having another chance to share the message of my social impact and getting to have this moment with my brother onstage is the most special part about my talent. 

 

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

I would want to be any Disney princess, but if I had to choose

Photo by
Matt Boyd Photography

one, it’s Cinderella! She has always been my favorite princess. Who wouldn’t want to be a princess and wear a ballgown every day?

When I was little, my dream was to be a Princess at Disney World, but I soon realized I would never be tall enough to meet the height requirement! Instead, I get to live out that dream a little once a year as The Little Mermaid during Princesses and Pirates Night at the Reading Fightin’ Phils!

 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I love doing barre! It’s the perfect workout routine for a dancer. I try to take an online barre class at least 2-3 times a week. Of course, I also stretch every day and practice my talent routine to keep up my technique and stamina. 

 

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

I would take my dad! He has been a lifelong baseball player, coach, and fan, and he taught me everything I know about the sport. Hopefully the Phillies wouldn’t be playing the Cincinnati Reds (his favorite team) that day, though, or I might have to pretend I don’t know him!

 

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

I want to dance on top of the dugout with the Phillie Phanatic! 

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I would definitely love to see that!

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

As Alysa continues her time as Miss Berks County, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram account and her website. They're great ways 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 Pennsylvania title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Alysa, and good luck!