Bring on 2018!

This blog was created when I found myself astonished. 

I've always said that when I started Section 36, I never imagined that it would in any way be connected with the Miss America Organization. I mean, it's a Red Sox blog...why would it? On a whim, though, I started following and interacting with titleholders on twitter. Again, I wasn't expecting anything. I'm ashamed to admit that the only thing I was was thinking was that they were Red Sox fans, and maybe they'd send some pictures for the blog. After all, I figured, no sports blog ever got fewer hits by posting pictures of attractive women. Luckily, the idea to interview them came about, and I realized that I was an idiot. These were not a bunch of pretty faces. They were so much more than that.

Lauren Kuhn started things off. She was going to be a dentist, with a degree from Harvard. Then came Alayna, on her way to being a medical examiner. Followed by another Harvard student, Alissa. They just kept coming. And not just with resumes on paper. They spoke so passionately about things. You could sense their drive. There was Rylee bravely talking about her depression as a way to remove the stigma from people battling mental illnesses. There was Emily actually changing my mind about STEM by insisting it should be STEAM. Nicolette was doing everything she could to help people join the bone marrow registry. Katie was passionately talking about how more women needed to take roles in government.

It went on and on, and I was amazed. These weren't beautiful women. (Well, they weren't JUST beautiful women.) They represented the very best part of America. They were strong, intelligent, determined women who wanted to make the world around them a much better place. My eyes had been opened, and I started to feel guilty hiding them on Section 36. People who weren't Red Sox fans needed to be exposed to their stories. They deserved to be celebrated with a wider audience.

Which is why I created Section 36 Pageants.

It's a place to celebrate them specifically, and pageantry in general. I wasn't sure how I was going to do that at first, but it has been an evolving process. I knew I wanted a place to house all the interviews with a pageant feel. I didn't want baseball card blogs on the sidebar. They deserved their own setting. So, there's a photographer on the sidebar, and their platforms. There are links to their blogs and websites. The interviews are displayed on another sidebar. I hope you agree, that it gives the feeling that they belong here. 

I wasn't sure what kind of posts would be on the blog. But, I like what I've come up with so far. I've been able to celebrate them by promoting their events, or their fundraisers. I was even able to interview a photographer, exclusively on Section 36 Pageants, who took some amazing pictures of prior visitors.

Beyond that, I've started creating a page on the blog for each visiting titleholder. That's what you'll find if you click the links on the state tabs at the top of the blog. There it will have quick information about them and their platform. I also intend to add some pictures eventually. At the moment, those are very much a work in progress, but I'm excited about what they'll become. A chance to show off these incredible women to as wide an audience as possible.

Which brings me to the most recent development. Just a couple weeks ago, I added a couple more exposure opportunities. Section 36 Pageants added both a Facebook page and an Instagram account. This allows me to share their interviews to more people, who might not be Red Sox fans. To get their message out to the world. (Once, of course, they add some likes and followers.)

Which is why 2017 was a huge year for Section 36 Pageants. It needed to be created. It needed to provide a voice to reach people like me. And then it grew to try and reach even more people. Hopefully that can continue in 2018.

I certainly hope Section 36 adds more interviews. A visitor every Friday would be fantastic, as long as there are enough willing titleholders. (Are you a current MAO titleholder, and a Red Sox fan of some degree? You could be added to the list! Drop me a line to let me know who you are.) I also know that this blog will get better. The titleholder profile pages will be completed, and then improved. I hope the blog itself will continue promoting all the good that the titleholders are doing. Who knows, maybe one of the visitors will add a guest blog to the mix. How much fun would it be to see a titleholder use an entire blog post to talk about her platform in a way that only they can?

And I'd like to add more pageant content to the blog. Maybe add a page of photographers who have done sessions with visitors. Or, clothing companies that have dressed them. Or make-up, or salons. 

I'm excited by this opportunity, and I can't wait to get started. I can't wait to see what 2018 brings and what I can come up with. What ways I can celebrate these amazing women.

They definitely deserve it.

Kelsey Garcia Visits Section 36 Pageants!

Section 36 Pageants has its first visitor! Kelsey Garcia, of K. Garcia Productions, is a talented photographer whose work I have admired for some time. (I have especially enjoyed her photo sessions with visitors to Section 36.) We had been trying to figure out a way to include her work on the blog and elsewhere in the Section 36 Pageants experience. So, when she came up with the interview suggestion, I was thrilled to jump on the idea. Hopefully you’ll enjoy this as much as I did.

So, let’s see what happens when Kelsey Garcia visits Section 36!

When did you realize that photography was something that you loved?

I have had a passion for video production for as long as I can remember; but I knew videography and photography was something I wanted to do as a career when I was in high school, because of my TV and Yearbook instructor, Kevin Reilly.  

How did you decide to turn that passion into K. Garcia Productions?

I always knew I'd be an entrepreneur, and because I love photography and videography I thought that would be a great direction to go. So one day I was sitting in my room and was on the phone with my friend Courtney, and when I said I wanted to start the company she asked why I didn't just do it, instead of talking about it. 

What would you describe as your photography style?

I love to try many different styles, I love fashion shoots, in studio and all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island; I also love product photos, especially photos of food! I'm also a really big fan of a photo-journalistic style and want to try that soon! 

You been able to do photo shoots with several Section 36 visitors, including Nicolette, Meg, and Lyndsey. What do you like about working with titleholders?

Nicolette Peloquin
by K. Garcia Productions

First of all, they're all fabulous ladies! I love their input with the shoots, they are all familiar with being in front of a camera so they have some ideas of their own, but they also are great with just going with the flow. Some of my favorite shoots are with them too. I have one photoshoot with Nicolette in the water and it's just so fabulous, and she was just willing to jump right in the water! Another favorite was of Lyndsey with a set of angel wings I designed and created for a book of my photography called "SouthCoast Style." 

You’re also involved in commercial photography. What sorts of things do you enjoy doing in that area?

I studied marketing at UMass Dartmouth, so commercial photography is something I'm very passionate about. I like capturing a brand with my lens. I also have the opportunity to meet so many entrepreneurs; and learn about how they got started. But my favorite thing about it is helping their marketing and helping these businesses grow. 

You mentioned your recently published book promoting products from the South Coast area of Massachusetts, which was a great idea. What should I know about “SouthCoast Style”?

SouthCoast Style was a side project for me, I love fashion

Lyndsey Littlefield
By K. Garcia Productions

photography but never get to do it very often, so I did a little something about that. I'm from Fall River, Massachusetts, and it has a rich history in the textile industry; but it's not just a history. So many products are still manufactured in the South Coast, so I wanted to put something together to promote products not only made in Massachusetts but in my community. What I really like about SouthCoast Style is the possibility of it doing great things and getting others involved in getting products made in America. One big issue with manufacturing here is that there isn't enough workers, and we now know it's an issue we can do something about it! 

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That definitely sounds like a wonderful project!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Kelsey for doing this interview. I’m glad we were able to work together to add an interview to this blog. I also want to thank her for providing the pictures to accompany the interview. As expected, they were wonderful pictures that show off her incredible talent. And stay tuned, because she sent in even more pictures than the ones on this post. They’ll be showing up periodically in other places on the blog, as well as on Section 36 Pageant social media (Facebook and Instagram).

And, speaking of finding her work other places, I encourage you follow all of the K. Garcia Productions social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) as well as check out the official website. If you’re looking for a photographer for just about any reason, that would be the perfect place to start. I also cannot recommend too strongly that you track down a copy of her book SouthCoast Style. It’s a fun example of her work, and a way to help the local community. (See how many of the models you can recognize from seeing them on Section 36.)

And, if you talk to her don’t forget to tell her you saw her on Section 36 Pageants!

Thanks again Kelsey!

Do You Like Tacos?

Because, now's your chance to do something you love, and help out a great cause along the way! Does it get better than that?

I'm sure you all remember the amazing visit from Kylee Kurto. She is now the current Miss Souhegan Valley, and is having a fundraiser for that incredible organization!

This Friday, December 1, at the Margaritas in Manchester NH you have to opportunity to have 20% of your bill donated to the Miss Souhegan Valley/Miss Goffstown organization. The details can be found below. Or, you can check out the Miss Souhegan Valley Instagram account for more. (Really, you should be following them anyway.)

So, what are you waiting for? Go out on a Friday night, and have some incredible food. Chances are you were going to do that anyway. And, almost by accident, you can help a wonderful organization do some great things.

It's a win-win!

Hope you'll be there!

Visiting Mariah in A Christmas Carol

I’m sure you all read, and enjoyed, Mariah Larocque’s recent visit with Section 36. So, I imagine that you’re eagerly anticipating her appearance in the national tour of A Christmas Carol. Since I’m guessing that many of the readers of this blog reside in the New England Area (it’s a spinoff from a Red Sox blog after all) I wanted to provide a few more details about her first two shows in Rochester, New Hampshire.

The dates of the shows are Wednesday November 22, 2017 and Friday November 24, 2017 at 7:30 at the Rochester Opera House, in Rochester. Here’s what the Opera House’s website has to say about the show:

A powerful story of redemption, A Christmas Carol, has enchanted audiences the world over with its simple message of Holiday joy. Ebenezer Scrooge, that most unrepentant and miserly of fellows, is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own life: Jacob Marley and the Christmas Spirits of Past, Preset, and Future.

With script adaptation, direction, and a flawless performance as Scrooge, by award-winning 40-year theater veteran Scott H. Severance, this new adaptation of Dickens’ ever popular classic fills the sage with first class professional actors, lush costumes, stunning sets and puppetry, song and dance, a heavy dose of humor, and a tireless message. With the music of 26 beloved traditional carols of the season woven throughout this classic tale, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to begin your family holiday Festivities.

Well, that pretty much tells you everything you need to know. Plus, this is the perfect chance to see Mariah! 

Now you need to go.

So, clear your schedules and head to the Rochester Opera House box office to grab your tickets now. You’ll be glad you did!

And, if you happen to bump into Mariah be sure to mention how much you enjoyed her visit to Section 36!

Miss Taunton Crowned Tonight!

It's an unusual night tonight for Section 36. Tonight is the competition for the Miss Taunton title. Among the contestants are three visitors to Section 36.

That's right. Three competitors for a local title. That's just amazing!

So, who should I cheer for?

Should it be Samantha McGraw?

Or Lyndsey Littlefield?

Or Meg Rubadou?

Oh, I think you know the answer. We'll be hoping that those are the top three finishers!

Good luck to all the competitors tonight. They're all amazing young women capable of taking home the crown. 

I can't wait to see how it turns out!

It's an Online Trunk Show!

And it's for a great cause!

I'm sure you all remember Amanda Debus from her amazing visit to Section 36. Well, now she has an exciting event to share.

I'm sure you all follow Amanda on Instagram. But, in case you missed it, here's what she had to say.

I'm hosting an online trunk show to benefit the National Eating Disorders Association. ED Awareness is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart, and to help this organization and others who have battled or are currently battling an ED means the world to me. Help me raise money for this important organization!

I completely agree!

Here's the link so you can go check everything out.

Amanda's Trunk Sale

So beginning on Wednesday 10/23 at 8 AM, go help out a great cause!

And thanks to Amanda for putting it all together!

North Country Drag Show!

If you remember reading my wonderful visit from Reagan Murphy (and judging by the number of hits, you probably do) then you know she has an exciting event coming up un just a couple weeks! So, let this be a reminder for you to mark your calendars for the upcoming North Country Drag Show!

Here's what Reagan had to say about the show during her visit to Section 36:

One thing I did want to do before I was no longer Miss Berlin-Gorham was host a big event to support the LGBTQ+ community in the North Country, and on October 21st that’s going to become a reality with the first ever North Country Drag Show held at the medallion opera house in Gorham!

So, if you find yourself in Northern New Hampshire on October 21, I hope you'll check the show out! It promises to be a fun time, and will help support a great cause, the Children's Miracle Network!

Oh, and if you see Reagan, be sure to tell her how much you enjoyed her visit!

Are You A Matchmaker?

I wanted to take this opportunity to mention a wonderful event. Tomorrow morning, the Icla Da Silva Foundation is having their second annual Matchmaker 5K in Brookline MA! This is a fun event with all donations going towards the foundation's goal of saving lives by recruiting potential bone marrow donors to the Be the Match registry.

The best news, it's not to late to sign up! Same day registration starts at 8:30. So, you can still join in the fun. Of course, if you can't make it to the event, you can still help by donating. Check out the event's website for all the details.

I don't know about you but when I think of "Be the Match" I immediately think of Nicolette Peloquin! Naturally, Nicolette will be at the event supporting her platform's cause. What an opportunity to help raise some money, and say hello to an amazing woman!

Hope you can make it to help a great cause!

And tell Nicolette how much you like that shirt.

Starting out the Runway!

I know I’ve said this before. But, I really really didn’t see this happening. Section 36 started off as a Red Sox fan blog, and that’s still exactly what it is. Being involved in any way with the Miss America Organization was never something that was on my radar. But, I’m certainly glad it happened. It started with the realization that some of these incredible women were Red Sox fans. Or, they represented regions deep within Red Sox Nation. Either way, it occurred to me that they could add some welcome variety to the blog. So one thing led to another, and the first visitor, Miss Massachusetts ’14 Lauren Kuhn, arrived. Her interview was so much fun to do, and an incredibly popular post.

That led to more visitors, and more fun. It has all worked out better than I could have ever imagined. It got so huge, that they needed their own page on Section 36 to properly display them. But, then I came to another realization. Not everyone who might be interested in these women is a Red Sox fan. After all, if you’re a fan of Miss Washington, chances are you’re a Mariners fan…like Kailee herself was. If you’re following Amanda Debus, you might be a Pirates fan. So, I realized that hiding these interviews in a Red Sox blog might be doing a disservice. Not everyone who would want to hear what they had to say could easily access them. When it was just one or two visitors, it wasn’t such a big deal. Their fans would just have to deal. But, now that the numbers of visitors crossed over twenty, with no signs of slowing down, I realized something needed to be done.

Enter Section 36 Pageants.

I had already dipped my toe into the waters by creating an exclusive S36Pageants twitter account. The idea was that it would be something for people who weren’t Red Sox fans to follow, and only get updates on the pageant visitors. This really expands on that, and gives my pageant visitors their own little Section of the web. (See what I did there?)

So, at the moment I’m not sure if this blog will have original content, or not. The working plan is to make it “Section 36” with everything but the content related to my pageant visitors edited out. All of the interviews will be organized for their fans to find easily. The sidebars will be filled with visitor and pageant related information. As we move forward, I may find some content related to my pageant visitors, but having nothing to do with the Red Sox. That may find a home here. But, we’ll see how that goes.

For now, I present Section 36 Pageants. I hope you’ll find it a fun section where we can celebrate the amazing women who have agreed to visit Section 36.

Here’s to them!