Marina DeNunzio Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Marina DeNunzio is passionate about sustainability, an event planner, and the current Miss Buckeye State. 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 Marina DeNunzio visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate the Miss Buckeye State crown?

I decided to get food with friends at our favorite Mexican place on campus! It was a great way to celebrate with friends and get excited about Miss Ohio.

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

My biggest goal was to meet with student Environmental/Earth Club’s around Central and Northeast Ohio. I’ve actually been able to already accomplish that goal! I’ve met with three clubs already, sharing educational resources from our organization partners and helping them create goals for their club for next school year. As a future educator and environmental advocate, empowering our students to care for Earth is so important to me and these students have taught me just as much as I have taught them! 

What portion of the upcoming Miss Ohio competition are you most nervous about?

I’m most nervous about the private interview portion- mainly

because I’m so excited to tell the judges about myself and my mission I hope I can get it all in in 10 minutes! 

How did you select your community service initiative, “The SAVE Initiative”?

I started SAVE when I was around 15 and competing in the Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen program. It’s taken on a few names since then but the love of environmentalism and teaching people about sustainability has remained the same. My mom instilled in me a love of the environment early on so when I first started seriously volunteering with Cleveland organizations like the Donnybrook Watershed and Drink Local Drink Tap, it became the obvious choice for my teen platform and now my CSI. SAVE has led to me take on roles like Director of Sustainability in Ohio State’s student government and expand my reach into Central Ohio as well. I love this planet and think its super important we take care of it, so I’m just sharing that message with everyone who will listen! 

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

I’ve been singing since I was little and it’s my favorite form of expression. Being able to share that love of music with the judges and audience is something so special.

You are pursuing a career in education. What do you enjoy about that field?

I student taught for spring semester last year and had a blast. Being able to connect with my students is on of my favorite things. I’m super excited to have my own classroom one day soon and share my love of history with middle or high schoolers. Not every student enjoys history but if I can make it even a fraction more fun for them, that’s enough for me. 

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

Jessie from Toy Story! I love the Toy Story movies and I’d love to be a cowgirl in that universe. 

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

Funnily enough, I have tickets with my family to go see the Guards play the Red Sox right before I move into my Miss Ohio host home. My first answer would be my dad who gave me his love of baseball but since he and my mom are already going, I’d love to take my best friend of 12 years, Tiffany. 

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

I would love to throw the ceremonial first pitch or sing the National anthem! I’m hoping to do both very soon. 

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I'll definitely be on the lookout for pics from all those opportunities!

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Marina 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 Marina, and good luck!  

Meara Seery Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Meara Seery is passionate about climate change, a talented performer, and the current Miss Heart of Vermont. 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 Meara Seery visits Section 36!

What made you decide to try for the Miss Heart of Vermont crown?

I competed for Miss Vermont the first time as Miss Maple Leaf in 2021. I wanted to compete last year as well but had to take a brief hiatus for a friend's wedding that was on the same exact day as the competition. So, after taking a year off, I was lucky enough to participate in the National Sweetheart Pageant as well as the Cherry Blossom Princess Program, where I represented Vermont and met some amazing women from around the country and the world. The title of Miss Heart of Vermont was actually inspired by two of those women, Ashley Erhart, who was Miss Heart of Oklahoma and then Miss Oklahoma USA, and Hannah Edelen, who was Miss Heart of Kentucky and then Miss Kentucky. I look up to both of these women and what they have done for their communities, and the title seemed to be good luck!

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

I launched my small business this month and am

hoping to create enough revenue to donate to a Vermont organization geared towards climate activicy, agriculture, the environment, or education. I am a designer/artist/photographer by trade, so I've started making designs that can be placed on reusable water bottles, stickers, hats, shirts, really just about anything. The shop is still in its infancy, but I encourage everyone to take a look! You can find it here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/mearcat4/shop

What part of the upcoming Miss Vermont Competition are you most nervous about?

This year I'm changing up my talent from a mix of trumpet and singing, to just trumpet or just singing. I still haven't decided which I'm going to do, but currently leaning towards singing!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Climate C.H.A.N.G.E.”?

As a kid, I spent most of my time outside. The recession hit my family hard, causing us to move from apartment to apartment and even having to live in a hotel/with friends. But despite this tumultuous time, there was one thing that remained constant: the outdoors. Spending time outside instilled in me a love and passion for the environment and I saw first hand how nature can change someone's life. I chose Climate C.H.A.N.G.E: Creating Healthier Agriculture, Neighborhoods, Generations, and Environments as my Social Impact Initiative because of my belief that nature is healing, and also because Climate Change is the most serious issue we as human beings face today. It is one of the only issues that affects every single person on Earth, whether they realize it or not. In Vermont, many of our industries rely on a specific climate. Maple sugaring, skiing, dairy, agriculture –these are all affected by Climate Change. So, as Miss Heart of Vermont, I am making it my mission to do my part in fighting Climate Change.

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

The first time I ever sang in front of people was actually at my first pageant.  Since then, I've loved performing.  I think what I love most about it is the adrenaline rush you get from doing something in front of so many people. 

You had the opportunity to intern for Sen Bernie Sanders. What was that experience like?

I interned for Senator Sanders from January, 2022 until July, 2022. After that, I was offered a position as a Digital Producer! The best part of my job, other than the fact that I get to travel around the state meeting Vermonters and making videos, is that I am not only working for Senator Sanders, but for Vermonters. I love being able to serve the communities that gave so much to me, and it feels great to be able to combine my passion for the arts with my love of Vermont.

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

Oooooh, that's a tough one. My initial thought would be a character that can fly, but I think I'll have to go with Marie from the Aristocats. Cats are my favorite animal, and I think it would be so fun to get to nap all day and play piano!

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

I would bring my boyfriend, Michael. He loves baseball and I love the Red Sox, so I think it would be a great game!

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

I'm not sure if they still do it, but I know in the past the Red Sox have done Vermont Day at Fenway Park. I actually got to go in 2018, when I won the Red Sox Scholarship for outstanding community service. That's where I was first introduced to the Miss Vermont Organization, because Julia Crane, Miss Vermont 2018, was there for the ceremony! I would love to be able to go back to this event and congratulate the recipients of the scholarship.

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That's a wonderful goal! I know I've been to Vermont Day ant Fenway before myself, and it's always a lot of fun. 

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

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Meara during her journey as Miss Heart of Vermont. 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. 

Thanks again Meara, and good luck!

Kaitlyn Sparks Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Kaitlyn Sparks is passionate about environmentalism, a talented singer, and the current Miss Metrolina. 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 Kaitlyn Sparks visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Metrolina crown?

I celebrated winning how most of the Miss North Carolina girls celebrate after a long night of competing; I went to the nearest Waffle House and ordered the All-Star Special. (For my friends that don't have a Waffle House: It is not what anyone would call a fancy restaurant. It is a dive waffle shop that is open 24/7 and is incredibly casual.) It is definitely not the celebration that you would expect, but those comfort carbs really hit the spot after a long day of nerves and being on your feet all-day.

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Metrolina competition that will help you when you compete for Miss North Carolina? 

I learned how incredibly capable I am of being able to do the job of Miss North Carolina. I realized during my preparation for the Miss Metrolina Competition that I have what it takes to truly do the job well. I am mature enough to understand what strengths and weaknesses exist in the organization, and more importantly how I can fill the voids that the organization has. This is my last year of eligibility within the organization so, if I am ever going to win, my time is now.

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

There are so many things that I would like to accomplish as Miss Metrolina, but I definitely have my eyes set on the goal of winning Miss North Carolina. What is it they say, "Shoot for the moon, and if you miss you will still land among the stars?" I want to continue my advocacy for environmental education and continue working with some of the nonprofit organizations that I have been honored to work with, but I would be lying if I said that the goal was not to win Miss NC.

How did you select your social impact initiative?

I actually changed my social impact initiative a couple of months into my reign as Miss Metrolina. I was originally focusing on advocating for everyday acts of kindness, but I have always had a passion for environmentalism. That being said, when I went on a mission trip to Panama in February of last year, I was walking through the jungle in a remote village to get to the beach when I passed mountains of trash that were taller than I was (I am 5'6 for reference). When I asked the locals what these trash mountains were doing in the middle of the jungle they told me that the locals pull trash out of the oceans and put it here in the jungle area so they don't harm the turtles. As I went back home, all that I could think about is how I never put much thought into where my waste goes after I threw it away. I kept thinking about the number of trash mountains that I must have created over my lifetime and I resolved to do my part to ensure that more people begin asking themselves more questions like these.

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

My favorite part would have to be the ability to convey feelings with my music. Yes, being technically skilled is impressive but, I love being able to entertain random strangers, put on a show, and know that I have made people smile. Walking off the stage after absolutely nailing your talent is a feeling that I cannot even put into words; it is simply such a rush.

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

I genuinely feel like Disney based the character of Merida off of me, so I suppose I would want to continue being Merida from Brave. I am very much the kind of person that believes that I can do anything and I am at least going to try once to see if I can. I also have naturally curly red hair so, it is a pretty good fit for me already. 

How would you complete the sentence, “I get great satisfaction when …”?

I get great satisfaction when I am at home with my dad watching some form of sporting event. We can not like either team or we can not be the most familiar with the sport (ie cornhole or axe throwing), but nothing replacing that feeling of when something goes really, really great or that feeling when something goes really, really wrong. Sports are such a huge part of my life and always have been, but I never knew how much I needed them until we went in quarantine and there weren't any games on.  My dad is a high school football coach, my brother played baseball for decades, and I was a multi-sport athlete growing up and sports are my comfortable place where I am allowed to cheer, scream, laugh, cry, throw popcorn, and have all of those reactions be completely normal. 

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

I would definitely take my dad. While he is not the biggest fan of the Red Sox, he is the person that would make the game the most fun. I would get to go watch some really amazing baseball and I wouldn't have to pay for any of the snacks because my dad would pay for them! It's truly a win-win for me!

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

I would definitely love to go to the home run derby at least once in my life. My family makes a habit of watching every single year and trying to figure out who is going to win, so I think it would be really amazing to see that in person! That being said, I have never sung the National Anthem at a baseball game or thrown out the first pitch, and those also dream of mine that I would like to see happen before I hang up my crown and sash.

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Those all sound like a lot of fun. The home run derby is a wonderfully unique experience! 

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

As Kaitlyn continues her time as Miss Metrolina, I encourage you to follow her on Instagram. 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 North Carolina title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Kaitlyn, and good luck!

Myrra Dvorak Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Myrra Dvorak is passionate about reducing plastic use, a talented singer, and the current Miss Red Rock. I was so excited that she agreed to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more! 

So, let's see what happens when Myrra Dvorak visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Red Rock crown? 

When I won my first crown, I celebrated by eating ice cream and calling my mom to share the exciting news. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Red Rock competition 

Throughout my time as Miss Red Rock, I have learned a lot about myself and what kind of mark I want to leave in the world. When I go into Miss Nevada in 2021, I like to think I will have a really good understanding of who I am and how I am going to share that with others. 

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

While serving as Miss Red Rock, I hope to continue sharing my passion for service with others. One way I like to stay involved in my community is by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's every November. It is a great way to come together with friends and family while also raising money for a great cause. This year, Miss Las Vegas and I are co-captaining a team and hope to raise $5,000 for the Alzheimer's Association. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Imperfect Minimalism for an Imperfect World”? 

I fell in love with my social impact when I realized how easy it really can be to reduce the amount of plastic I use on a day to day basis by thinking ahead and investing in sturdy reusable products. It brings me great joy to know that I am not only doing what I can to reduce my personal footprint, but sharing the message of sustainability with others so they can engage in mindful practices, too. 

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

Singing on stage makes me feel powerful and free. Though public speaking gives me the absolute jitters, there is something so calming to me about singing my heart out to a song I really love and relate to. To me, it isn't about hitting the right notes or getting everything perfect; instead, it is about feeling the emotion behind the music, and I try to bring that to every piece I perform. 

What is your personal fitness routine? 

Quarantine and preparation for the Nevada Bar Exam has made my exercise routine pretty non-existent, but I always take a walk every night to make sure I get some steps in and get my blood pumping a little bit. I also stretch and do yoga to help me feel centered when preparing for a stressful day. 

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 would want to be Ariel from the Little Mermaid! My favorite place in the world is the beach and I have always dreamed of being a mermaid. 

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

If I had an extra ticket to a Cubs game, I am bringing my dad, who was born and raised in Chicago, IL. After the game, we would celebrate with a classic deep-dish pizza. Yum!

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

I am a huge hot dog fan, so I would definitely be trying out the concessions before finding my seat. 

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I know I always get a Fenway Frank when I'm at a game!

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

As Myrra continues her time as Miss Red Rock, 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 Nevada title. It would be wonderful to have Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Myrra, and good luck!