Committing to Confidence - a Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

If you have been feeling uncomfortable in your own skin lately, this one is for you…..

You are not alone. 

This will pass - it is one of the most challenging things to process and understand when you do not feel confident in yourself. We all go through different seasons of feeling brand new, used, confused, and simply uncomfortable. It is your time to take charge of your thoughts, mindset, and overall life. 

We can not grow in life if we do not feel uncomfortable and forced to grow. 

How boring would we be if we stayed the same our whole life?

Here are some tips and tricks to clear your headspace and get you back to the best version of yourself: 

1. Don’t Listen To The Media & Make Your Own Rules 
2. Become Self-Aware 
3. Build Your Self-Worth From The Ground Up - Do Not Be Afraid To Keep Rebuilding 
4. Practice Gratitude
5. Engage In The Present and Let Go Of The Past 
6.  Find People Who Love and Support You 
7. Stop Worrying About What Other People Are Thinking About You 
8. Surround Yourself With Positive People, Energy, and an Environment 
9. View Your Thoughts From An Outsider’s Point Of View 
10. Practice Healthy Self-Love 
11. Accept Your Strengths and Weaknesses 
12. Stop Seeking Validation From Other People 
13. Fake It 'Til You Make It 
14. Journal Your Thoughts and Feelings 
15. Do Not Make Yourself Small For Anyone 

With the New Year of 2023 so close, promise yourself this - “I Am Stepping Into My Power. “

-Katelyn Andrist  

Happy Festivus!

That’s right, today’s the day! As you can see, I’ve set out my aluminum pole and am ready for the festivities to begin!

While it’s kinda hard to do feats of strength on a blog, we can certainly air some grievances! I’ve even started with the first one. I would definitely rather be in Section 36 right now!

Now it’s your turn. I’m taking this opportunity to allow you to air your blog-related grievances! That’s right. Leave a comment telling me things you don’t like about the blog and its content!

Is the font too small? Too big? Are the sidebars too plain? Too cluttered? Do I write about a topic too much? Do you wish I wrote about a topic more? At all? All with no hard feelings on my part. This is your chance!

I know. Allowing the internet to complain about you can be scary. But, maybe I’ll be able to respond to the grievances and make the blog better for everyone!

One thing by way of rules, this is Section 36 Forevers asking for grievances. So, keep them to things about the blog and its content, and not the Forevers themselves.

Sound reasonable? Ok then. Let’s hear it.

What are your Section 36 Forevers related grievances?

Committing to Confidence - a Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

You are a magnet for marvelous miracles. 

You take every expected and unexpected opportunity daily. 

Abundance is your right to create light. 

You are living your life the way you are supposed to.

uNiQuE is the name of your game.

-Katelyn Andrist 

Miss America 2023 Recap - The Stories Behind the Gowns

You may remember the previous recap post showing off the incredible entrances some S36 Forevers made to the Miss America 2023 competition. All of the gowns were stunning on the contestants.

I can't be the only one who sees that procession and thinks, "All of those dresses are so beautiful and yet so different. I wonder how each woman selects the most important dress of her life.

Luckily, a few S36 Forevers did share the story behind their gowns on their social media, which is amazing. I thought it would be fun to share the stories here.

Once again, all the pictures were taken by Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions. She does amazing work, and was recently nominated as a Pageant Planet top headshot photographer AND top event photographer.

Let's see those stories.

From the Miss Connecticut Instagram: For as long as I can remember Latinas in media have always been portrayed as too loud, crazy, and feisty (while I do not confirm nor deny some of these traits 😅) I never saw us portrayed as eloquent, intelligent, or peaceful. Miss America allowed me to be what I didn't see, being that representation and walking the red carpet with the gown that exemplified the serenity, strength, and resilience of our island's heritage. 

From the Miss Utah Instagram: Utah is know as the beehive state. When I picked out this dress, it reminded me of honeycomb. This dress Is dedicated to my hive of bees who have gotten me here!

From the Miss Massachusetts Instagram: I designed her myself based on former Miss America gowns that I’ve loved since I was a child. Thank you to Anita at Infusion Boutique and the team at JOVANI for making my sketch come to life!

From the Miss South Dakota Instagram: A dress that had a classic feel to it but also some “spice”😜 It was an incredible feeling to walk on the Miss America stage in this gown! 

From the Miss Alabama Instagram: I worked with The Clothes Tree and JOVANI to design this custom gown. I knew I wanted to wear black velvet, and I got the inspiration for the sheer sides with nude/crystal beading from a photo of a wedding dress I found in 2019. Then Julie from JOVANI worked her magic to come up with this beauty! We also totally changed the neckline after the dress came in.

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I hope you enjoyed these stories, and the incredible pictures. Hopefully there will be more stories to share in the future!

Miss America 2023 Recap - The S36 Forevers Make Their Entrance

As I'm sure you all know, a new Miss America was crowned last week. Since there were a good number of Section 36 Forevers competing, I though it would be fun to look back at those amazing women and the week they had. 

Starting off with the way any good award show starts. With an entrance on the red carpet in front of adoring fans and photographers. Whether it's a high school prom or the Academy Awards, the red carpet entrance is one of the highlights of the evening. With Miss America it was no exception. Watching these women walk by wearing their incredible gowns was a sight to see. Here's how some of the Forevers looked at that moment.

All these pictures were taken by Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions. She always does amazing work, which is probably why she was recently nominated as a Pageant Planet top headshot photographer AND top event photographer. Congratulations to her!

Now, let's see those entrances!

Lindsay Fincher waves to the crowd, like any good red carpet walker should do. Love that red.

Melody Pierce simply dazzles.

Ebony Mitchell simply elegant.

Sylvana Gonzalez with a smile that can light up the whole carpet.

Elizabeth Hallal is simply radiant.

Madison Leslie certainly knows how to strike a pose.

Katrina Kincade absolutely stuns.

Elizabeth Lynch enjoying the moment.

Grace Stanke. You'll hear more about her in future posts I'd imagine.

And not every S36 Forever on the red carpet was a current competitor. Camille Schrier returned to join in on the fun.

It looks like everyone enjoyed the entrance and I was so excited to share these pictures with you.

Did you have a favorite red carpet look?

Committing to Confidence - a Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

Do not stop until you are proud. 

Even if it ends badly, it is worth it. If it made you feel something, it taught you something. 

Do it for you & only you.

Titleholders from Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program Pay Special Visit to Bristol, Conn.

Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, Bristol Resident, Hosted 40 Teens for a Tour of Her Hometown 

Event Made Possible by Liberty Bank

December 14, 2020 – Peyton Troth, Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen 2022 and Bristol, Conn. resident, organized a tour of Bristol on Tuesday, December 13 for 39 fellow Outstanding Teen titleholders from across the country and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Morgan Greco. State teen titleholders traveled to Connecticut to cheer on their Miss candidates at the Miss America competition slated for Thursday, December 15 at Mohegan Sun. The tour of Troth’s hometown was made possible thanks to Liberty Bank. 

 

The teens visited Bristol Eastern High School, Ivy Drive School, a beneficiary of Peyton’s Promise, and Pavilion Restaurant. The tour ended with a visit to the Bristol Police Department with a moment of silence for the department’s recently fallen officers. 

 

At Bristol Eastern High School, an assembly was held where the teens shared their experience with the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen organization, the benefits of civic action and the scholarship opportunities available through the Miss America Organization and its Teen affiliate. At Ivy Drive School, the teens visited classrooms to read to students, play music and create art projects.

 

The tour of Bristol was organized to help welcome teens from all over the United States to Connecticut and show some of the local places and experiences residents enjoy.

 

Troth and her 50 fellow titleholders competed for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition in August, and this week serves as the first reunion for most of the group.

 

For more information about Troth and The Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization, visit: https://www.missct.org/miss-ct-outstanding-teen

 

 

Pictured left to right: Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Morgan Greco; Principal of Ivy Drive School Emily B. Gomes; Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen Peyton Troth.

 

Pictured left to right: Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen Peyton Troth; Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Morgan Greco.

Pictured: Students look on as state teen titleholders play recorder instruments.

 

 

Pictured: Teen titleholders visit Bristol Police Department.

 

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The Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) operated by volunteers that invest in and support the advancement of women in society by embracing diversity, education, and civic action.

 

They invest in the women of Connecticut to further their education and provide a platform to propel their futures. Candidates who participate are awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships and in-kind sponsorships each year. The Miss Connecticut competition is an official preliminary of the Miss America competition.

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Click to see Peyton's Troth's interview with Section 36

Committing to Confidence - a Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

“Courage gives us a voice and compassion gives us an ear. Without both, there is no opportunity for empathy and connection.” - Brene Brown 

We are all human beings who long to connect on more profound levels of empathy. 

Without a voice and courage, how will we change this world with compassion?

Let this remind you to dig deeper with not only others but yourself. Do not miss the opportunity to grow, expand, inspire, and engage. 

Our life is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We do not get moments back in life.  

Committing to Confidence - a Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

Be patient because life is a cycle, and just like the sun rises again, things will get better again. 

Give it time. 

Isaiah 60:22: “When the time is right, I, the Lord will make it happen.

Step into your power when the time is right for you.

-Katelyn Andrist