Growth Beyond the Stage

By Megan Kerl

Through competing, I have learned that growth often begins in the most uncomfortable moments. When I first stepped into the Miss America world, I had no prior experience. I had no idea how to do my makeup, walk in heels, or speak confidently in front of a crowd. Everything felt unfamiliar and intimidating. Competing also marked the very first time I wore an evening gown, something that felt especially meaningful to me after missing out on prom because of COVID-19 during my graduation year in 2020. What once felt overwhelming slowly became empowering as I learned new skills and began to gain confidence in myself.

Beyond stage presence and physical preparation, competing has taught me discipline, resilience, and self-belief. Every practice and preparation has pushed me further outside my comfort zone. I learned that confidence is not something you are simply born with, it is something built through persistence, hard work, and the decision to keep showing up even when you doubt yourself. With each experience I have grown in my own sense of strength and self-awareness.  

One of the most meaningful lessons I have gained through competing is the true meaning of sisterhood. I have found some of the most supportive and encouraging friendships. The girls around me celebrated my successes, lifted me up during difficult moments, and reminded me that we were all growing together. Being surrounded by women who genuinely support and believe in one another has shown me just how powerful friendships can be. 

What I have learned through competing has extended far beyond the stage. As an interior designer, I now find myself applying many of these same skills in my professional life. Presenting design concepts to clients, communicating my vision clearly, and carrying myself with confidence in meetings all draw from what I learned through the Miss America Organization. It has taught me how to articulate ideas under pressure, trust my creative instincts, and show up with confidence in spaces where I am constantly being challenged to grow.

Looking back, competing has given me so much more than titles, gowns, or stage experience. It has given me confidence, lifelong memories, and a community that has helped shape who I am today. Most importantly, it has taught me that some of the greatest growth happens when you step into something new, even when you don’t feel fully ready. I’m excited to see what the next chapter has in store for me.

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Megan Kerl is the current Miss Bernalillo County (NM). You can follow her on her Instagram.

This is her second guest blog for Section 36 Forevers. Find her other one here.

My Journey within the Miss America Opportunity

By McKenzie Hegarty

The Miss America Opportunity has helped shape me into the woman I am today. I received my very first title in 2019, almost seven years ago, and I have been impacted by this organization ever since. 

Pageantry was always something that interested me, especially growing up in the musical theatre world as a classically trained vocalist. After spending nine years as a competitive Irish step dancer, being on stage always felt like home. I also participated in forensic public speaking throughout much of my childhood, which further strengthened my confidence and love for communication. When I was introduced to the Miss America Opportunity and learned more about the talent competition, interview process, public speaking, and community service aspects, I immediately knew I had found where I belonged. Everything I loved was brought together within one organization.

Competing at Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen 2020 was my very first pageant experience, where I placed 4th Runner-Up and won the talent competition. From that moment on, I truly caught the “pageant bug.” I later competed in the Miss division and became a Top 10 finalist at Miss New Jersey in both 2022 and 2023. While attending the University of Delaware, I was eligible to compete for Miss Delaware, where I placed 2nd Runner-Up overall in 2024.

In 2025, I decided to take a year away from competition for personal reasons. However, the life lessons and challenges I experienced during that time taught me so much about myself and strengthened me in ways I never expected. Today, I feel more prepared than ever to return to the Miss New Jersey stage.

One of the most meaningful parts of my journey has been my community service initiative, “Check, Protect, and Inspect Your Heart,” which focuses on raising awareness about the importance of preventative heart screenings and cardiac health education. This cause became deeply personal to me after my father nearly lost his life to coronary artery disease. A heart scan ultimately detected the issue before he suffered a major heart attack, leading to a lifesaving quadruple bypass surgery at just 49 years old. He was healthy, active, and had no warning signs of heart disease. While my father’s story had a positive outcome, many others are not as fortunate.

Through this initiative, I launched my own podcast where I interview healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates to discuss the importance of heart screenings and overall heart health awareness. I have also partnered with organizations including the American Heart Association and, more recently, the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association of Denville, New Jersey.

My passion for this mission grew even stronger during my time as President of Alpha Phi at the University of Delaware. Alpha Phi’s philanthropy centers around women’s heart health and supporting the American Heart Association. During my leadership, our chapter raised over $100,000 through fundraising events, philanthropy initiatives, and volunteer work. Being able to lead those efforts was one of the greatest honors of my college experience.

Between my father’s story, Miss America’s partnership with the American Heart Association, and Alpha Phi’s longstanding commitment to heart health advocacy, I knew this was the path I was meant to pursue. Heart disease remains the number one killer in America, and I am committed to using my voice to advocate for education, prevention, and lifesaving screenings.
In 2025, I graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in professional selling and sales management. I am currently pursuing broadcast journalism while working as a reporter for The Pulse USA in Morristown, New Jersey, and as a vocal coach at Denville Music Academy.

As the Miss New Jersey competition approaches, I am grateful for the opportunity to return to this stage. I look forward to continuing to use my voice to inspire, advocate, and serve across the state of New Jersey.

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McKenzie Hegarty is the current Miss Bergen County (NJ). You can follow her on Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Mind Over Movement: Where Strength Begins

By Isabella Iannuzzi

My name is Isabella Iannuzzi, and I am honored to serve as Miss Greenville County. As a professional ballerina and the founder of Mind Over Movement, I am passionate about empowering young athletes and artists to prioritize their mental health, build confidence, and discover that true strength begins in the mind.

There was a time when my body knew exactly what to do—but my mind didn’t trust it.

As a dancer, that disconnect is devastating.

Like many athletes and artists, I grew up in environments shaped by high expectations, comparison, and pressure to be perfect. Over time, those external voices became my own, and confidence slowly turned into self-doubt.

One of the clearest moments this surfaced was when I developed a mental block in my dancing. I had performed turns effortlessly for years, yet suddenly, I couldn’t. The issue wasn’t physical—it was mental. That experience taught me something I will never forget: mental health is not separate from performance—it is the foundation of it.

That realization led me to create Mind Over Movement.

Through this initiative, I support the mental health of young athletes and artists—because so many are struggling silently.

 

Through school and dance studio visits, I combine dance with interactive activities that spark conversations around confidence, anxiety, and self-worth. In my weekly teaching, I also create space for dancers to openly share their experiences, helping normalize conversations around mental health.

And in those moments, something powerful happens—they realize they’re not alone.

Looking ahead, I am committed to expanding this work through community workshops, school programs, and accessible resources. I plan to pursue mindset certification to better support those navigating performance pressure, anxiety, and burnout.

Studies show that over 35% of elite athletes experience anxiety or depression, and high-profile figures like Simone Biles, Alysa Liu, and Naomi Osaka have publicly shared how mindset challenges nearly ended their careers. These stories matter—not because they are famous, but because they validate what so many young performers are feeling in silence.

Because Mind Over Movement is not just about awareness—it’s about action.

At its core, this initiative is about helping young people understand that their minds are not obstacles, but powerful allies.

When we change the way we think, we change the way we move.

And when we change the way we move, we change the way we live.

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Isabella Iannuzzi is the current Miss Greenville County (SC). You can follow her on Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

My Miss America Opportunity Journey

By Leah Culbreth

If there is one thing I have learned through my Miss America Opportunity journey, it is this: dreams are worth chasing, but they often arrive in God’s timing, not our own. 

I have always loved pageants. Growing up, I looked up to the local high school queens in my area and to the women who wore the title of Miss North Carolina. One titleholder who especially inspired me was Kate Peacock Smith. She was from my hometown, and seeing someone from a small town like mine go on to win such a prestigious title made me believe that maybe one day, I could too. 

My own journey started in elementary school. I competed in my school pageant three times, placing first runner-up twice before finally winning the title of Junior Miss Midway on my third try. I loved everything that came with holding a title—the chance to represent my school, my community, and to share the experience with my sister queens. That was the moment I knew I was hooked.

Although I did not compete often after that, my love for pageantry never faded. The next pageant I entered was my high school pageant in 2022. Becoming Miss Midway High School had been a dream of mine for years. I started preparing long before the pageant even existed, buying my interview outfit in July of 2021 before I knew if there would be a competition that year. I took voice lessons, interview lessons, and truly believed I was ready.

When pageant night arrived in March of 2022, I walked in confident that I would leave with a crown. But I did not place at all.

To say I was heartbroken would be an understatement. But even disappointment could not take away my love for pageants.

My true Miss America Opportunity journey began in January of 2023 when I made a last-minute decision to compete in the Miss Johnston County/Cleveland pageant as a Teen contestant.

 

Kerrigan Brown had inspired me to compete. Once again, seeing someone from my hometown achieve success reminded me that dreams like this were possible.

There were around twenty teen contestants that year, including Hanley House, who later went on to win Miss North Carolina Teen and Miss America’s Teen. While I did not win that night, I walked away with something more important: a fire inside me to keep going.

The very next month, I entered my hometown pageant, Miss Spivey’s Corner/Dunn, as a Teen contestant. Winning that title and representing my hometown was all I had ever wanted. I performed much better than I had in the previous pageant, but once again, I did not walk away with a crown.

And strangely enough—I was okay.

Because I trusted that God’s plans were bigger than my disappointment.

That fall, I started college at Campbell University and believed my pageant chapter was over.

But in January of 2024, someone very special to me, Lindsay Creech, reached out and encouraged me to compete again because contestant numbers were low. It was the last day to submit paperwork, and with only two weeks to prepare, I signed up.

This time, I competed for the title I had dreamed of for years: Miss Spivey’s Corner.

My interview went beautifully. I felt confident onstage. Once
again, I just knew I would be crowned.

When awards were announced, my name was called for Evening Gown. I was thrilled. Then moments later, I was named first runner-up.

Although disappointed, I still had peace.

Because if something is meant for you, no setback can stop it.

Once again, I said I was “done” with pageants.

Then January of 2025 came.

I signed up for Miss Spivey’s Corner/Dunn again—this time with my best friend. I competed for Miss Dunn while she competed for Miss Spivey’s Corner. Truthfully, I wanted to support her dream just as much as I cared about my own.

Pageant day came, and while I felt strong in interview and onstage, my name was not called as the winner.

Again.

And surprisingly, I was okay.

Because each loss had taught me confidence, resilience, grace, and trust.

Then came January of 2026.

My best friend and I attended another pageant, and like always, the pageant bug bit us again. We signed up one more time.

This year was different.

I no longer competed with desperation. I competed with gratitude.

I told myself that I would do my best, speak passionately, be confident in who Leah Culbreth is, and most importantly—have fun.

I left interview feeling amazing. After onstage competition, I felt relaxed and proud. For the first time, I knew that no matter what happened, I had already won because I was proud of myself.

Then crowning arrived.

“The new Miss Dunn is… contestant number two, Leah Culbreth!”

I immediately burst into tears.

After years of hoping, praying, losing, learning, and growing, my dream had finally come true. I was going to compete at Miss North Carolina representing my hometown.

And suddenly, every “no” made sense.

Every loss had prepared me for the right yes.

For the past two months as Miss Dunn, life has been nonstop.

 

Between nursing school, friendships, responsibilities, appearances, and preparing for Miss North Carolina, I have stayed busy—but I would not trade it for anything.

I am determined to give Dunn everything I have. I want to be present in my community, serve with purpose, and show people exactly who is representing them on the Miss North Carolina stage. My sister queens have made this experience even sweeter, and I am so grateful for each of them.

If my journey has taught me anything, it is this:

Never give up on a dream that truly matters to you.

There may be delays. There may be disappointment. There may be moments where you feel overlooked or forgotten.

But what is meant for you will come in the right season.

Trust God’s timing. Trust His plan. Keep working. Keep believing. Keep showing up.

Because your time will come too.

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Leah Culbreth is the current Miss Dunn (NC). You can follow her on Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.