Lily Gayle Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Lily Gayle is passionate about mental health, a talented pianist, and the current Miss Southeastern Louisiana University. 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 Lily Gayle visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Southeastern crown?
Well, whenever I won I was STARVING (because I hadn't eaten in hours and honestly...too nervous to eat) so I was able to go to a local taco restaurant and eat some amazing street tacos. We talked about everything that happened that evening and just sat there in disbelief that I actually was able to succeed with earning my goal that night. Needless to say, victory is sweet, but tacos at 10:30 at night are sweeter!

You recently finished in the top ten at the Miss Louisiana competition. What was that experience like? 
Yes I did! It's pretty spectacular that making the top ten even happened for me. That was my third ever competition ever and I had just been crowned in January so being in that select few really solidified it for me that God has a purpose in my life and that I was on that state competing during finals for a reason. Before Finals on saturday, I was going through some personal issues such as being afraid of not even being called and I was torn between wanting to make top ten and not having to compete again and I was holding onto that feeling that I would be called no matter what because in every competition I've ever been in I've always placed. Not only in scholarship competitions, but writing, journalism and broadcast competitions as well, so I don't know what it's like to not place. That being said, I knew that I had to do some major soul searching. I went into a little stairwell near my dressing room and I put on my playlist on shuffle and the song "Who am I" by Casting Crowns came on. If  you've never heard that song before, the overview is basically a prayer telling God that He is everything and that all I am is just a vapor in the wind that we know as time. We are here only for a moment and that moment shouldn't be spent worrying about what title or position I may earn next, but it should be spent in gratitude and awe because God is the one who made me who I am and no title or place could ever take that away from me. I prayed to make Top Ten and if I didn't I prayed that I would have peace. When Top Ten was being called, I was totally at peace, my heart wasn't pounding, my hands weren't sweating. I was alright with being who I was at that moment. THEN MY NAME WAS CALLED. I knew at that moment that God had me. He heard me and knew that my heart was in the right place. It was an experience like no other because I had surrendered all to God and He really rewarded me for putting Him first. 

You’re a journalism major, with a sports concentration. What do you see yourself doing in that field? 
Well I am sports reporter as of right now, with a minor in administrative supervision in business. So I am capable of working in any athletic field. At this time, I am also an athletic marketing intern and graphic designer so I build a lot of recruitment graphics and help our creative team with photos, creating videos and setting up photoshoots. What I would like to do is work as a freelance sports reporter for an FCS conference like the Southland, I love the atmosphere of these schools and it's just the right size. But my dream would be a mixture between the late Carley Mccord and Emily Dixon at LSU: where I get the inside scoop on my particular team that I work for and when I don't work with that team, I travel with a sports station and report on live broadcasts at the games that I would be assigned.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Lifter’s Project: Worth Your Heartbeat”? 
So back in high school I suffered from anxiety, anorexia and situational depression. I was the oldest of four children and a very type A personality and perfectionist. I would get anxious about "what if I didn't make a good enough grade, will people hate me?" "What if I'm too much of a nerd?" I was a very awkward person growing up and I began binge eating. This all began after coming off the missionary field with my family back in 2012 after being gone for the entirety of my childhood, so getting back as a thirteen year old girl with no idea how a first world country worked, what the girls were like and moving into high school, I became very depressed. Then I began hating myself for being this way so I began to self mutilate and starve myself. All the weight I had gained from eating American food was gone within 6-9 months and every bone in my body you could basically see. I also attempted suicide three times within that time span. It only began to get better whenever I kicked in my mirror (that was warped, but I didn't know at the time so it had been giving me distorted images of myself to make me look bigger than I was). I told myself I would get better. I did get better, until I relapsed in the winter of December of 2017, I had a mental breakdown and one minute I was crying in the bathroom and the next my legs were so injured that I still have the scars to this day. I use my backstory to teach others how important it is to understand why recovery is so important and why relapse isn't a mistake. I created my SII to help people through their recovery and relapse because there are so many of us who are trying to get better but don't have the support or the resources to do so. I also help friends and loved ones cope and understand what it's like to live with a mental disorder because they need to understand too so that the person who is going through these disorders feel loved, accepted and understood. During this time I also created the "Three Ls": Listen, Learn and Love. So that people know to listen: let the other person speak on why they're feeling this way, don't put in your two cents until they are finished and they ask for advice. Learn: research the reasons for the disorders, ways to help and find resources for that person. Lastly, love: that person may be crying all the time, quiet, irritable and angry, but they aren't angry at you, they need you to love them. So love them unconditionally because in the end, love conquers all things.

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

Oh my goodness! I am flattered! Well, I just love the fact thatnot many people know that I am self taught. I've been self teaching myself since I was a teenager. I can shred some keys and people think that I just played a classical piece and I say: " Nope, I just am goofing off and having some fun!" Whenever I competed at Miss Louisiana, that was the first time I had ever done my talent live, for Miss Southeastern we had to record talent so that was a pretty cool experience and I was very comfortable with being on stage, it was an amazing feeling and being able to play the outro that I wrote for that song was an epic feeling and I can't wait to do that again!

What is your personal fitness routine? 
So I am a powerlifter which basically means I lift heavy things VERY slowly! I workout 5 times a week with two days being leg focused, two days being upper body focused and one day more cardio and body weight focused. I've been doing this particular routine for about a year and half now with running on our football field in the afternoons in the fall. Wednesdays are usually my overload days on leg and just this past wednesday I was able to hit a personal record of 145 for two on back squat which is pretty crazy because that's twenty five pounds above my body weight!

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

It's funny you ask that because I am actually three Disney characters!  I worked with Once Upon a Time Parties in Baton Rouge as Cinderella, Rapunzel and Elsa! But my favorite one is Rapunzel, I love her personality and optimistic attitude. She is so spunky and full of life and I relate a lot to her because she had to break away from her past to become her true self and I had to do that in a sense as well. 

If you had an extra ticket to a Astros-Rays baseball game, who would you take with you? Why? 
If I had one ticket to bring someone with me, I'd probably bring my best friend. He experienced all of my competitions with me, so being able to bring him with me to a professional baseball game and enjoy that first time experience with him too would be something for my scrapbook. 

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

Honestly? I'd love to actually sit and enjoy a baseball game with a hot dog with extra cheese and a Dr. Pepper. Being in broadcast, I've worked countless baseball games on campus, but I'd love to just sit and enjoy it with some good food and cheer for my team. 

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That’s definitely the best way to enjoy a game!

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 Southeastern Louisiana University, 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!

Thanks again Lily, and good luck!

McKenzie Connelly Visits Section 36!

Photo by Steven Palowsky

Section 36 has another visitor! McKenzie Connelly is passionate about helping the homeless, a talented singer, and the current Miss Atchafalaya. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when McKenzie Connelly visits Section 36! 

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Atchafalaya crown?

One of the things I love about competing in Louisiana is the immediate sisterhood. Right after crowning, all of the contestants and the visiting queens went to Cracker Barrel to celebrate, and get to know each other better if we didn’t know each other already, as a sort of “welcome to the sisterhood” dinner. 

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

I’m the sort of person who isn’t super nervous about thingsuntil I have arrived and it’s finally happening. I’d say right I’m confident in what I have been working on for the past two years and I’m just ready for it to finally be competition week! 

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

I really accomplished everything I wanted to during my reign as Miss Atchafalaya - making better connections with homeless charities in south Louisiana, working closer with CMNH through Dance Marathon, and creating interesting content that highlights fellow titleholders. I’d say now during my “victory lap” I want to finish the #WomenEmpowermentWednesday highlights for the girls who joined the Miss Louisiana class this year and continue working with those homeless charities as much as I can. 

How did you select your social impact initiative “Heart for H.O.M.E.”?

I’ve actually been working on parts of Heart for H.O.M.E - Homelessness Outreach, Mentorship, and Education, since I was nine years old. I was first exposed to the issue of homelessness through the organization Family Promise for a Gifted & Talented service learning project in the fourth grade. The objective was to find a need in the community and work to assist an organization that helps meet that need. My church had just announced a partnership with Family Promise and I felt like there was no greater need in the community than people living without basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. As a part of my initial service project “Baking A Difference”, I organized a bake sale and helped raise money for the program’s immediate needs going into the holiday season. 

Heart for H.O.M.E. seeks to ameliorate and eradicate the effects of homelessness within our community. Outreach is working directly with local homelessness organizations. Mentorship is mentoring children experiencing homelessness to reach their fullest potential by providing them with the resources they need to thrive despite their current circumstances. Education is educating the public on the realities of homelessness and how they can create positive change in their communities by getting involved and giving back to those who need it most. 

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

I absolutely love the feeling I get when I can step outside of

myself by portraying a character and conveying a story through song. This year I have a very fun and challenging talent, the Queen of the Night Aria from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. While it took me a very long time to get it where it needed to be technically, it is such a fun, dramatic piece. This is one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever performed and I can’t wait to share it with everyone in just a few weeks!

How would you complete the sentence "I get great satisfaction when ___"?

I get great satisfaction when I see the kids I’m working to impact. I recently went to Dance Marathon at LSU’s Big Event and they had several of the miracle kids and families in attendance. Getting to play with and talk to many of the children in attendance made me realize just how much of a difference I can make with my efforts and how the payoff of hard work is so sweet. I haven’t been able to work hands-on with homeless children in a long time because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I can’t wait to see them all again (hopefully) very soon! 

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

I would choose to be Moana because I love the beach and the ocean and being able to go on a Polynesian adventure to save the ocean sounds like a lot of fun! Fun fact: I actually almost drowned off the coast of New Jersey when I was 6, so I should probably be scared of the water but I still love it! 

You had the opportunity to attend the parade celebrating the Houston Astros World Series championship. What was that experience like?

That was absolutely incredible! My family is full of pretty big baseball fans (we have a fierce Astros v. Yankees rivalry, sorry Sox fans!) so being able to go with them to celebrate a World Series win was probably a once in a lifetime experience for me. The streets were full of people and there was so much joy after the city had been through such hardships with Hurricane Harvey. It was an unforgettable experience and I am so grateful to have been able to go. 

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

I like the train full of oranges that goes around every time theAstros score a Home Run at Minute Maid and of course the mini helmets full of ice cream! But of course at my home stadium of Alex Box here at LSU, Geaux Tigers!, I love being able to watch a great sport with my best friends and cheer on the Tigers to hopefully another national championship! 

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Mini helmets full of ice cream are definitely a must!

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

As McKenzie continues her time as Miss Atchafalaya, I encourage you to follow her on 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 when she competes for the Miss Louisiana title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again McKenzie, and good luck!

Janine Hatcher Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Janine Hatcher is passionate about the potential in our youth, a talented cellist, and the current Miss Southeastern Louisiana University. 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 Janine Hatcher visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Southeastern Louisiana University crown?

I spent the remainder of the evening with my family and friends who came to watch me compete. My parents treated everyone to dinner , and the next day I just enjoyed the town to kind of take everything in and begin thinking about what I wanted my year of service to look like . 

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

I always knew I was a great performer under pressure . During

this experience that was definitely exemplified . The talent portion of the competition I performed an excerpt of the piece John Legend performed at Former President Obama’s inauguration; that phase of competition was the first time out of all the moments I performed during our dress rehearsals , that I completed my piece without stopping. I was so ecstatic and really just learned that my biggest competition in my life is only me...my nervousness , my reluctance, and at times my own doubt are the only things that will ever hinder me from what I want to accomplish . 

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

Yes , I want to leave the crown in a better position than when I found it . I want to secure more sponsors and support for the next young woman that has this job and I am on the road to doing that . 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “R.I.P. – Respect Individual Potential”?

This campaign and cry for our youth originated in Irvington , New Jersey when my father, Dr. John. W. Hatcher III along with  city officials , administrators, teachers , students , and the late Ms. Rita Owens, decided to put a stop to the trajectory that the youth was on in that city. There are many unfortunate roads that led to adolescent youth dropping out of high school, engaging in violence , and commuting child suicide and these were at an all time high.  The community as an entity came together and  decided it was time to alter that trajectory by showing the youth in the community that if we respect one another’s individual potential while we are all here , then we won't have to keep saying “Rest In Peace” prematurely to our children who have such great potential . I chose this initiative because I see the need for this same campaign here in my home in Louisiana, where I want to call out and support the potential I see in our youth , who are the future of our state while they're still yet here and change that notion of Rest In Peace to Respect individual potential . 

As a talented cellist, what do you enjoy most about performing?

I've been performing on classical instruments since the age of

10 and the thing I've always enjoyed most is actually feeling the music and getting to perform with other instrumentalists. You really are in the moment when you get to hear the different pieces of their story coming to life in the selection of music along with the part you're playing , and the feeling is hard to describe but so tangible when I'm performing . My siblings all play classical instruments and I enjoy it most when I'm performing alongside them given how talented and gifted they are. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

My personal fitness routine has been a little more sporadic this summer with the heat and weather . I tend to monitor the weather and alter my workout session to either the morning or evening depending on the weather and what I have on my agenda that day . One thing that stays consistent is the fact that I avoid getting exercise too close to high noon or midday when it tends to be the hottest out. (Haha)

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

If I could be a Disney Character for a week , I think I would probably be Kim Possible. I’ve loved KP since I was a little girl with her fearlessness, strength, all around persona, and just “can do” attitude . I had an entire spy themed birthday party when I was 8 years old and still have her camera and night vision goggles I believe in storage somewhere (lol) . I would be Kim all the way , and spend my time getting my education, kicking bad guy’s butt everyday, and of course  hanging with my girl Monique and Ron! 

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

My best friend Wallace most likely. None of the immediate

members of my family are huge baseballs fans, and I know Wallace and I would have a great time shouting the chants , predicting the outcome of the game, groaning over “bad calls” , and grabbing some grub from concessions between innings ! 

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience? Experiencing the roar of the stadium when all the fans are singing the fight song . I think it's a special moment in which people regardless of background , religion , socioeconomic status , ethnicity , etc. are all unified and in great spirits rooting for their favorite team ! It's what I enjoy most about attending baseball games and other sporting events. 

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That’s definitely one of the best parts!!

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

As Janine continues her time as Miss Southeastern Louisiana University, 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 Louisiana title. It would be wonderful to have Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Janine, and good luck!

Jessica Thonn Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Jessica Thonn is passionate about helping those

Photo by Little Fish Photography

with mental illness, a talented musician, and the current Miss Dixie Stockshow. I was thrilled that she wanted 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 Louisiana!

So, let's see what happens when Jessica Thonn visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Dixie Stockshow crown?

If you know me, you know that I work extremely hard in the months prior to competition, which means I am working hard in the gym and eating extra healthy. After competing at my local pageant, my first stop was a local pizza shop in Rayville, La. I devoured some well deserved carbs that night (haha). 10/10 would recommend.  

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Dixie Stockshow competition that will help you whenever you compete for Miss Louisiana?

Funny enough, I believe I learned more through my many losses than my first win. Over several years, it took me about 7 local pageants to finally obtain a “Miss” title. When I was an outstanding teen titleholder, I thought I’d never compete in Miss due to my insecurities with my body. I was also dealing with a lot of internal and mental hardships after going through so much at such an early age. After becoming brave enough to share my story regarding my struggles with mental health and sexual assault, I’ve finally gotten the courage to stand confidently and unapologetically on stage. While I do work hard to keep my body healthy and strong, I’m proud to be the girl with a thicker body and a loud voice to share my message. 

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

If I help just one person, it would be more than enough. I don’t have a monetary measurement of success. I want to leave people with a little more peace and show them unconditional acceptance and kindness. I would love to work with Mayor Cromer and our St. Tammany Parish school board in an effort to require teachers to obtain a mental health certification to better meet the needs of our adolescents, but I know with the attention being drawn to COVID-19, that may not be the priority of our local officials at this time. Personally, I think it’s perfect timing. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Why Add the Pain”?

I initially started it about 10 years ago as a platform to raise awareness and provide

Photo by Steven Palowsky

support to those who were suffering with mental illnesses. In my case, I went undiagnosed with anxiety and depression for many years, which led me to vent that negative emotion through self-harm. Once I finally got the help I needed, I wanted to use my time of darkness to spread a bit of light on others who may have been going through similar circumstances. In December 2019, I decided to open up about my experiences regarding sexual assault and rape. Since then, I have expanded my initiative to include sexual assault and rape awareness/prevention to give a voice to the voiceless and advocate for survivors. 

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

I have always experienced some serious anxiety getting on stage to sing. I love public speaking, but I think the vulnerability of singing my own music in front of a large crowd gets to me. The best part is walking off stage knowing I did it- I faced yet another fear of mine. It’s small victories like these that make me feel capable of anything. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I wake up at 4am each day to go to my 5am CrossFit class. CrossFit is known to be a bootcamp style workout class, but I truly believe it is what keeps me sane during this pandemic. I also like to keep active by playing and running around with my 9 nieces and nephews - 30 minutes with them is all the cardio you need. 

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

Easy. Anna. She’s brave, kind, and witty. She sees the best in people that others deem as the villain. She loves her family to pieces, and she refuses to let someone hold her back from what she feels is right. Not to mention, she loves chocolate and sandwiches. 

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

My boyfriend, Dustin. He is definitely one of the best baseball players I’ve ever met, but I may be a little biased. 

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

Photo by Danielle Ice Photography

As a singer, you’d expect me to say I would sing the national anthem, but my anxiety says otherwise. I am far from the best pitcher, but I would love to throw the ceremonial first pitch. I’ve always thought it would be an honor, despite my poor pitching skills. 

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I’ve always thought that would be a lot of fun!

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

As Jessica continues her time as Miss Dixie Stockshow, I encourage you to check out her official and personal Instagram account. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on!

You should also subscribe to her YouTube channel. Her videos cover a range of topics, and you should be sure to watch them all.

Also, be sure to visit the website for her SII Why Add the Pain. There's lots of great information there that you'll want to check out.

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

Thanks again Jessica, and good luck!