Cori Keller Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Cori Keller is passionate about fighting childhood hunger, a dedicated exerciser, and the current Miss Arkansas. 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 Cori Keller visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Arkansas crown?

While I was competing at Miss Arkansas, my dad was in critical care from complications of open heart surgery. To celebrate my win, I went in my gown, crown, and sash to the hospital to celebrate with him. It was an extraordinary moment. 

What is something that Ebony Mitchell did as Miss Arkansas that you would like to emulate or expand upon?

Ebony was a great Miss Arkansas. I hope to carry on her tradition of excellence throughout my reign.

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

Honestly, I’m not nervous about it right now! We’re not sure when or where it will be, so I think until we know, I won’t be nervous. I’m very excited, though! 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Feeding the Future”?

Growing up in rural Arkansas, food insecurities sat next to me in class every day. When I learned about the serious issue in my school district, I knew I had to make a difference for my classmates and the 1 in 4 children in the state that are food insecure. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I have a degree in Exercise Science so I love to workout! I try to work out three days a week, eat a balanced diet, and drink a lot of water. 

You have two degrees from Arkansas State University. Where do you see those studies taking you?

Before I was Miss Arkansas, I worked in marketing at CJRW. When I’m done being Miss Arkansas, I’m not sure where I will land. For now, I’m going to see how it plays out! 

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

Probably Edna from The Incredibles. She’s so funny, very smart, and sassy! I love it. 

You had the opportunity to call a college baseball game. What was that experience like?

I was the dugout reporter for the University of Memphis VS Mississippi State University game two seasons ago. It was a great experience! This was the year after Mississippi State won the College World Series. We had a head coach get thrown out of the game, so there was a lot of action to cover!

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

I’d love to be a fly on the wall when a head coach has to go to the mound to talk to a pitcher. 

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I would definitely like to experience that as well!

As always, I want to thank Cori 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 Cori 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 Cori, and good luck!

2023 Bowman Blaster!

I know. I know. It may have crossed a line somewhere, somehow. This is getting a little ridiculous. But, really, when is too much too much? It's still fun to open. You still never know what card will come out of a pack next. I still don't know how many Red Sox cards I'll get in a box, or if I'll have heard of any of them before. So, it's still great to open packs!

Let's see how it went!

Seen this box enough yet?

And all the packs. More than the mega box.

I think they had a video about him last time I was at Fenway. Hopefully that means he has a bright future.

Don't know anything about him. But, it's a first Bowman Chrome card, so that's cool.

Him I've heard of. It's a little tweener card though. Not his first Bowman, not a rookie. So...just "another" prospect card. Just a bit less cool.

As opposed to this rookie card. Is he the real deal? This could be a fun card to have.

Another tweener prospect. Not familiar with him either. I really need to get a prospect list out before I open these packs.

Now, there's another rookie. Hopefully he's figuring things out and will live up to his promise. 

Another one I'm not familiar with, but probably because it's his first card. Nothing but blue skies ahead, I'm sure.

And there you have it. A whole bunch of Red Sox cards this time. Two of the hot current rookies, and a fun collection of prospects. Even if you open a blaster of this every day, there are great things to find.

How have yours gone?

Hannah Utic Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Hannah Utic is passionate about political involvement, a talented singer, and the current Miss Alaska. 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 Hannah Utic visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Alaska crown?

My mom best friend, who was Miss Alaska 1993 and helped me get ready for Miss Alaska, and I had a deal that the day after the pageant, win or lose, we were going to celebrate with donuts—so that’s what we did! The morning after, we went out for hot cocoa and donuts and it was great. We also had a bet going: her and I always get our nails done together, so we had a deal that if I lost, I had to get my nails painted yellow (I despise the color yellow for nails) but if I won, then I got to pick her nail color (she’s very picky). So I had an absolutely fantastic time picking out this completely great nail color for her that she would have refused to wear otherwise.

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

Jessica made the absolute best of friends with her fellow state titleholders, and I cannot wait to hopefully also meet lifelong friends at Miss America.

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

I honestly am not very nervous, I am just excited to go represent my state and have the time of my life! If I had to name one thing though, I am not a dancer whatsoever, so all the choreography we will have to learn should be interesting for me.

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “Civic Involvement through Informed Voting”? 

I have always been very interested in political processes, even as a child, which is what led me to pursue a political science degree. Throughout my time in school, I began to notice more and more the lack of interest that people, especially my generation, have in being involved in our government, even within the local community. One of my favorite quotes is, “Because we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, we have been given so much. Therefore I believe we have much to give in return.” It is not only our right but actually our duty as American citizens to be involved civically in our society, so my CSI is really a reflection of my hope to promote this message.

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

I am not someone who craves the spotlight, so performing solo on stage is definitely not something that greatly appeals to me. However, I had spent so much time practicing my song “I Will Survive,” that when it came time to perform, I just had so much fun getting to walk out and play in the most sparkly hot pink dress I’ve ever seen and finally get to see the fruit of all my hard work pay off.

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

I think I would want to be Remy from Ratatouille because he gets to hang out in France and eat incredible food.

You recently graduated with a degree in political science. Where do you see those studies taking you?

A lot of people who have political science degrees tend to purse law or major political careers. However, for me, I plan to use this basis of education to help me be able to work on solutions to issues in my local and state communities.

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

I would definitely have to take my youngest brother Ian, because he is an absolute baseball fanatic and he would never forgive me if I didn’t bring him along.

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

I’m not very knowledgeable about anything sports related, however I have been to a few Seattle Mariners games and my favorite part is always the funny things they show on the big screen in between innings. I do think it would be a ton of fun to throw the opening pitch at a game.

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A first pitch does sound like fun!

As always, I want to thank Hannah 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 Hannah 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 Hannah, and good luck!

2023 Bowman Mega Box

OK. It may seem like I'm opening more 2023 Bowman packs. And, well, I am. But....and this is important...the packs are MEGA! Wait, the packs aren't actually mega. Just the box. Ans not even the contents of the box, since there are just the six packs. But, they physical box that is mostly empty...that's mega. So, see? Totally different.

How'd it go? Let's find out!

Look at the size of that box!

But, still only the six packs. Two of them are special mega box packs, though.

And those special mega packs do have special mega foiled cards. Bowman sure is confusing. But here's a nice first Bowman Chrome Mega card of Freili Encarnacion. So, there's that.

And, here's a not so mega card of Yoshida. It's not chrome or mega. Kinda boring at this point.

At least Mikey Romero here has the decency to be Chrome. But, he's not mega. He's not a first. He's not a rookie. Sort of a inbetweener type thing. Oh well.

And there you have it. A mega box resulted in three Red Sox cards. I'm feeling underwhelmed.

How did you do with yours?

Victoria Mozitis Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Victoria Mozitis is passionate about literacy, a talented performer, and the current Miss New Jersey. 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 Victoria Mozitis visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss New Jersey crown?

The Miss New Jersey Education Foundation hosts the most beautiful Queens Reception every year after the crowning. I got to spend time with my family, mingle with everyone who attended and had a “first dance” with my dad. It was such a special night!

What is something Augostina Mallous did as Miss New Jersey that you would like to emulate?

Augie had this very specific goal throughout her year as Miss New Jersey: to never lose herself. I have that goal as well. Miss New Jersey is someone who all little girls should strive to be. How can they have that dream if she is not relatable and unapologetically herself? I don’t want Miss New Jersey to be some kind of “alter-ego” for me. I have strong opinions, I am musical, I am silly, and sometimes I require moments to check in on my mental health. Miss New Jersey is going to be that way as well. I want to blur the line; Augie did just that throughout her year and it was so admirable. 

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

I am in the middle of writing a children’s book, and my goal is to get it published during my year as Miss New Jersey!

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “#LEAP”?

My father took me to the library every week. My parents made storytelling an integral part of my life at a very young age, and that is what set me up for success: to become a Musical Theatre major in college, to become a professional actress, and eventually, to become Miss New Jersey. I want to give students the opportunity to dream, and the first step in doing so is to work to improve literacy!

You are a recent graduate of the Musical Theatre Program at Rider University. Where do you see those studies taking you?

It has always been my dream to become an actor on Broadway, and that will always remain true. That dream has broadened as I have also developed a passion for Arts Management, which I minored in in college. My goal is to use my degrees to not only pursue my passion for performing, but also use them to expand my Social Impact Initiative into a non-profit organization, become a professional casting director, and work for The Miss America Organization.

What is your personal fitness routine?

I am a dancer, so a lot of my fitness routine is centered around taking class regularly. I also go to the gym frequently, and I love going on runs (although I’m not very good at it!)

If you could play any role in a Disney Broadway show, which would you choose? Why?

I just played Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and I would play that role again in a heartbeat if given a chance. However, once The Princess Diaries inevitably makes its way to a Broadway stage, I must originate the role of Mia Thermopolis. I’ve found so much comfort in her as a character since becoming Miss New Jersey. I’m still working on navigating life as a twenty-something-year-old girl who was just given the opportunity of a lifetime to represent her state and a National Organization. I’m still naive to the whole thing. Her story tells just that. 

If you had an extra ticket to a Jersey Shore BlueClaws baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

I have never been to a BlueClaws game, but my brother Tommy has been to many! I would bring him, simply because I enjoy his presence and he enjoys baseball. 

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

I’ve always wanted to be the National Anthem Singer at a Phillies game. Attending Dollar Dog Night would be a close second. 

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I'm pretty excited about that book!

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

Thanks again Victoria, and good luck!