Mikkayla DeBolt Visits Section 36!

 

Section 36 had another visitor! Mikkayla DeBolt is passionate about limiting technology, a talented speaker, and the current Miss Wyoming. 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 Mikkayla DeBolt visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Wyoming crown?

I was extremely fortunate to have so many of my family and friends attend the Miss Wyoming Competition. They have been supportive and helped me since I decided that I would be competing so it meant the world those that were able to attend – and even those who couldn’t attend but were sending me well wishes. Due to all of the support, all I wanted to do was celebrate with them. It was a feeling of WOW, I just won Miss

Wyoming but now what am I going to do to impact the state and the kiddos. It was a small moment of celebration before I hit the ground running.

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

The first time I competed for Miss Wyoming was back in 2019– I had never competed in something like this and had no idea what to expect. I believe that I grew and became a lot more confident in who I am. I may not have grown up in the pageant world but the most important thing is for me to be myself. I know who I am and beliefs and I am proud of who I am. I’m my best self when I’m being true to who I am, and I plan to continue to be me while competing for Miss America. True beauty is what’s on the inside and their confidence in who they are.

You were recently able to appear in the iconic Show Us Your Shoes parade. What was that experience like?

It was surreal feeling to be a part of the iconic Show Me Your Shoes parade. Although, I am not from Connecticut people were still cheering me on by my state as well as my name. It was really rewarding to see so many people come out and show their support for all of us titleholders.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Kids Unplugged: Encouraging Our Youth to Explore Their World Without Technology”?

Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the Sheridan County YMCA and I’ve always loved working with kids - many people were very surprised when I didn’t get an education degree for that reason. But I continue to be involved with youth organizations and stay connected with them which is where the youth part comes in. I also have a passion for traveling and exploring the world. I’ve had a dream to hit 25 states by the time I’m 25,

and due to the Miss America organization I have been able to reach that plus a few extras. My social impact initiative takes my love for kids and my love to explore/travel and puts them together. I also believe that our youth our the future, and their stories start now. We need to help them grow and become the best versions of themselves.

As a public speaker, what do you enjoy most about being on stage?

The part I love most about being a public speaker and being

on stage is what happens after. When I’m speaking, I hope to connect with each individual person on some level – I want something I say to stand out to them. That way when I get off stage, they will come talk to me about it. Connecting with people truly is a remarkable feeling and I enjoy the deeper connections, not just the surface level information.

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

I get great satisfaction when taking a leap of faith. Life is an adventure and I never know what tomorrow will hold – which is why I try to make the most out of every day I am given. That includes taking chances, trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. I never saw myself as Miss Wyoming – I thought it would be a phenomenal opportunity but didn’t think I could do it. Now here I am, on one of the wildest rides I’ve ever been on just because I woke up one day and thought, “why not me?” I took a leap of faith when I decided to compete and I am beyond grateful that I did.

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

I would love to spend a week being Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Growing up, I loved watching all of the Disney princess movies… on repeat. Not only would I get to live out a life long dream of being a Disney princess but I would also get to be a mermaid. Dolphins are my favorite animal so being able to swim them and other animals in the sea without worrying about breathing would be a surreal feeling.

If you had an extra ticket to see a Casper Horse Heads baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my friend Bridget to attend a Casper Horse Heads baseball game with me. No matter what we do, we always have a good time together. She also really enjoys

watching and playing sports so I know she would enjoy the game.

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

My older brother played baseball and my dad was usually thecoach so I was able to spend a lot of time at a baseball diamond. There were a lot of parts I was able to play and things I was able to do, but I never quite was able to hit a home run. I think that would be an amazing feeling – even though some people do it all the time, it’s never anything that I have been able to experience.

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I'd like to do that too! 

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

As Mikkayla continues her time as Miss Wyoming, I encourage you to follow her title's Instagram and Facebook accounts. You should also check out the official Miss Wyoming website. 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 next month. It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Mikkayla, and good luck!

Lauren Bradford Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Lauren Bradford is passionate about unplugging, a talented violinist, and the current Miss Alabama. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. I was also excited that she was the first visitor from the state of Alabama!

So, let's see what happens when Lauren Bradford visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Alabama crown?

I celebrated by thanking Jesus. This has been something that the Father has put on my heart for so long now, and for it to be a reality is 100% and unequivocally from Him. 

As a former Miss Alabama’s Outstanding teem, do you think that national experience will help you at Miss America?

I actually never got a “national experience” as a former teen titleholder. I was 1st Runner-Up to Jessica Baeder, Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2017 who went on to win Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Because of this (go Jess!) I was afforded the opportunity to step into the role of Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen. That time, though less than a year, was incredibly transformative and made me realize that I wanted to be Miss Alabama one day. I do believe that experience gave me a better understanding of what it means to be a titleholder and how to truly make a tangible impact. 

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

The biggest thing I learned during Miss Alabama week isto never doubt God’s plan for your life. As soon as I would begin to doubt, God provided affirmation in amazing and tangible ways. He has a plan. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “UNPLUG - The Digital Diet Plan”?

I began work with my Social Impact Initiative “UNPLUG: The Digital Diet Plan” when I was only 15. Growing up, it was a rule in my household that we (I’m 1 of 3 siblings) were not allowed to have a phone until we were going into high school. I spent a lot of time seeing how my peers began to overuse technology and what it was doing to their grades, communication abilities, and mental wellbeing. I wanted to spread the message about how we can use technology as a tool and integrate it into lifestyles in a healthy and balanced way. I believe connection with others is one of the most important qualities we can ever experience in this lifetime, and began to spread this message ultimately in an effort to help all ages seek and find true connection. 

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

I love sharing violin on stage because I love sharing the heart behind music. Growing up, I played violin at nursing homes for residents that had lost their memory — but they remembered every word of songs that meant so much to them in their pasts. Because of so many experiences like this, I am a firm believer that music can connect us when words cannot. 

You’ve been able to do quite a bit of traveling. What is your favorite place you’ve visited?

A very special moment during my travels so far was returning to my hometown of Gulf Shores and being recognized there. I have loved growing up on the beach, and am the very first Miss Alabama from my town and my area. It has been such an honor to represent my hometown and state now on a national stage. It also meant a lot to me to travel to Montgomery and spend time with the Governor of Alabama, and discuss our shared experiences of both of our college education at Auburn University and both of our membership in the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority as sisters. 

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

I would hands down be Princess Jasmine because she has a

pet tiger (goals) and a flying carpet (goals). 

If you had an extra ticket to see the Birmingham Barons play the Rocket City Trash Pandas, who would you take with you? Why?

I was Miss Jefferson County for almost 2 years before becoming Miss Alabama, and I would most definitely take one of my local directors Jarrod Landers because I have never met someone more invested in and obsessed with baseball. 

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

I may not be very good at it, but I’ve always wanted to throw the first pitch for a baseball game. And of course, always the snacks ;) 

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Oh, definitely the snacks! 

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

As Lauren continues her time as Miss Alabama, I encourage you to follow her title's Instagram and Facebook accounts. You should also check out the official Miss Alabama website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on! You should also be sure to check out the UNPLUG website to find more resources about the impacts of the overuse of technology.

 
I also want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss America crown this winter. It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Lauren, and good luck!