Week 3: Too Pretty to Be an Engineer?

 By Madalaina Hlava

When you're not the lead on paper but you're the one they call when it counts

No one has ever looked me in the eye and said, “You’re too pretty to be in engineering.”
But I’ve felt it in the pauses. The second guesses. The quiet skepticism.
It’s never said outright, but the energy is there.

I’m not always the one officially leading the project.
But when something goes wrong, when a system fails, when a decision needs to be made, I’m the one they turn to.

And yet somehow, I’m still the one they question.

What They Never Say, But Always Show

They don’t have to tell me I don’t belong. They show it all the time.

It’s in the hesitation when I give an instruction.
The sideways glance before trusting my call.
The way a male counterpart is asked to confirm something I already said.

It’s in the way my presence is constantly evaluated, like I have to strike a perfect balance. Not too confident, not too quiet, not too feminine, not too much.

It’s subtle, but it adds up. And every woman in a male-dominated space knows exactly what I mean.

The Pink They Can’t Ignore

I wear pink every chance I get. Not to make a statement, but because I love it.

Pink gloves.
Pink safety glasses.
Pink tools and shirts and whatever else I can find.

I’m not doing it to stand out. I’m doing it because I shouldn’t have to strip away the things I enjoy to make other people feel more comfortable.
I shouldn’t have to “blend in” to be taken seriously.

Wearing pink doesn’t make me less capable. It doesn’t distract from my work. It reminds me that I can be both. I can be good at my job and show up in a color that makes me feel strong.
Because that’s what femininity really is—strength that refuses to apologize.

What I’ve Learned

I don’t need to over-explain or tone myself down.
I don’t need to justify why I’m here.
I don’t need to match their mold to be taken seriously.

I just need to show up, keep doing my job, and take pride in doing it my way—pink and all.

Let them look. Let them question.
I’ll still be the one solving the problem.

See you next week for Week 4: The Boundary Blur
We’ll talk about what happens when professionalism gets crossed with personal interest, and how to protect your name, your peace, and your identity.

---------------------

Madalaina Hlava is the current Miss Land of Lincoln (IL). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

To read her other guest blogs for Section 36 Forevers, click here.

About My Journey

By Ishtar D. Colón Vargas

Greetings. My name is Ishtar D. Colón Vargas, current Miss Barceloneta’s Teen. Today I want to talk about my journey to Miss Puerto Rico’s Teen. My journey began in the month of January of 2025 when I got interviewed by the host of said Pageant. That’s when me and my mother took the graceful decision to incorporate me in this pageant. Therefore, here we are beginning my journey into another beautiful experience God blessed me with. It’s a decision we collectively made that I’m sure we won’t ever regret. 

I assure myself that this is going to be a fun and nourishing experience no matter what outcome I get from it. As in my eyes this is going to be another opened door and challenge that I’m going to embrace with a smile on my face. 

---------------

Ishtar D. Colón Vargas is the current Miss Barceloneta’s Teen (PR). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Week 2: Safety Goggles & Stage Lights

 By Madalaina Hlava

What balancing STEM and pageantry really looks like.

I’ve had days where I’ve gone straight from a job site to pageant prep, with barely enough time to wipe the dust off my boots before slipping into heels. And you know what? Both moments required the same thing from me: confidence, focus, and the ability to adapt on the fly.

Balancing two drastically different worlds isn't about pretending. It's about showing up fully in both, and not shrinking to fit into either.

The Realities of Switching Gears
People love to ask me how I “do both,” but they often ask it like they’re waiting for me to admit it’s all a performance. Like surely one version of me must be real, and the other must be fake.

But here’s the truth: they're both real.

I’m the same person reviewing project specs that I am walking into a pageant interview. I don’t leave my leadership skills behind when I put on an evening gown, and I don’t lose my creativity when I wear a polo and boots.

Both roles challenge me in different ways, and both have made me stronger.

What They Don't See

They don’t see the preparation behind both.
The early mornings at work and the late nights practicing interview questions. Or vice versa.
The technical problem-solving and the poise under pressure.
The way I’ve had to earn respect twice: once for being a woman in a male-dominated field, and again for daring to embrace femininity in that space.

They see safety goggles or stage lights, not the woman who knows how to own both.

And for a while, I thought maybe I had to “pick a lane.” But I’ve learned that the very things people think disqualify me from one space are the exact things that make me powerful in the other.

What Pageantry Taught Me About STEM

It taught me how to hold eye contact. How to speak with intention. How to listen fully and respond clearly.

It taught me grace under pressure. A skill I’ve used just as often on a live mic as I have when troubleshooting a system failure.

It taught me how to walk into a room, command attention, and lead with purpose.

So no, I’m not just doing both for the aesthetics. I’m doing both because they make me better; more resilient, more versatile, more me.

To the Girl Trying to Balance Both

You don’t have to apologize for being multifaceted.
You don’t have to explain why you love STEM and still light up when you have the opportunity to dress up.
You don’t have to shrink or segment yourself to be taken seriously.

You just have to show up as you are. And trust that the right people will recognize your power.

Because there’s strength in your duality.
And whether you’re holding a powertool or a mic, you belong.

See you next week for Week 3: Too Pretty to Be an Engineer?
Where we’ll dig into the stereotypes and how we shatter them, one confident step at a time.

---------------------

Madalaina Hlava is the current Miss Land of Lincoln (IL). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

To read her other guest blogs for Section 36 Forevers, click here.

Shopping My Mom’s Closet: How Her Style Led Me to My Perfect Gown

By Kaniya Swift

By the time I was 9 years old, my mom and I were the same shoe size. That awkward growth spurt was little Niya’s dream come true, because that finally meant I could fit into her heels. I would often play dress up in my mother’s closet, draping on any clothes she’d allow me to, waiting for the day I could finally take my fashion show beyond the living room. Growing up, dressing up was always celebrated, so it was a challenge for me as an adult when I felt like I had lost that joy. 

There was a time when I felt like I had no style, but truthfully it was because I suppressed it in order to survive. For 5 years, I was in an abusive relationship where it was common for my past partner to control and criticize me, even down to what I would wear. Constant comments and backlash about the outfits I put together quickly taught me that if I dressed myself down, there would be less issues. I began to stop reaching for dresses and heels, until eventually I got rid of my personal style all together. 

6 months ago, I left that relationship and ended up back home with my family. I remember being so happy to be home, but also having a lot less clothes to wear too. Fortunately, my mom welcomed me with open arms and with an open closet also. To experience that child-like wonder again of rummaging through drawers and experimenting with looks and accessories, brought back that joy and healing I needed. Habitually, I’d check my mom’s closet before every appearance, mock interview, and even on headshot day just to see how I could elevate my look. 

Styling myself became fun again as I allowed myself to get creative and plan outfits for competition week. But there was still one look that was the hardest to find… my evening gown. For WEEKS, I searched in store after store, falling in love with many beautiful dresses, but not feeling like I found the right one. I wanted something that reflected this new chapter I’m in: combining my newfound style, while still having this sense of familiarity. It's no surprise that I found my dress when I finally went shopping with my mom. As soon as I tried it on, it was so clear that we found it. It fit like a dream while still having the features I was hoping for in a gown. 

The best part? After securing the gown and heading home, my friend pointed out a strange coincidence. My evening gown’s color, silhouette, and fabric mirrored one of my favorite dresses that has sat in my mom’s closet for years. Neither of us had noticed this when we bought it! Discovering this similarity verified my decision for me, and the gown felt even more special. This unintentional match added a layer of sentiment to my choice, making my evening gown not just a fashion statement, but a connection to the woman whose style has always inspired me. 

The thing is, my mom’s closet is just iconic. What makes a room full of clothes and shoes so special? The woman who collected them. My mom’s closet has grown with her for decades, and it represents all the seasons of life she’s gone through. Sneakers, platforms, heels, lace, leather, denim, and suede all in the same place— some of the items older than me, but all in good care. I hope to achieve this level of preservation in my self-expression as I build my wardrobe back up. More importantly, I’m so grateful for the impact my mom has made in reviving my personal style.

----------------

Kaniya Swift is the current Miss Santa Barbara County (CA). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

5 Ways to Embrace Culture and Lead with Purpose

 By Darja Bassut

Hit Imaging

Culture has always been a part of my life, but it took time to understand how much it shapes the way I lead and serve. As someone who has moved between countries, languages, and communities, I have learned that embracing culture is not just personal. It also helps us connect with others, understand different perspectives, and build stronger communities. 

Learning to embrace my own culture has helped me grow as a communicator, advocate, and leader. It has also made me more aware of the cultures around me. 

For anyone looking to lead with more authenticity, here are five ways to embrace your culture and apply it in the work you do!

 

1. Use Creative Expression to Share Your Culture 

Culture can be communicated clearly through what you create. If you are an artist, performer, writer, or even someone who enjoys crafting or photography, your creative work can tell a personal story that reflects your roots. This could include painting scenes from your family’s history, wearing traditional clothing in a performance, or using symbols from your background in your visual work. 

Creative expression invites others into your world without requiring them to already understand it. In my experience as a speed painter, I have found that showing cultural stories through art can open meaningful conversations. It becomes a way to represent both yourself and the people you come from. Start with one piece of creative work that feels connected to your heritage and build from there. 

2. Learn or Reconnect with Your Heritage Language 

Language holds personal meaning, even if you are not fluent. Learning your family’s language, or even a few key phrases, can help you feel more grounded and confident. It also helps you communicate more effectively with elders, cultural groups, and community members who may not speak the same language as your peers. 

When I speak Spanish or Russian, I am able to build trust with people who may not otherwise feel comfortable sharing their stories. You do not need perfect grammar or pronunciation. You just need effort and curiosity. Apps, books, and conversations with family members are great ways to begin. Over time, this learning becomes a resource you can use to connect across generations and backgrounds. 

3. Participate in and Share Your Cultural Traditions

Cultural traditions are often passed down in everyday activities. Cooking a family recipe, observing a holiday, or learning a traditional song or dance are all meaningful ways to stay connected. These small actions are important forms of cultural preservation. They also give you something personal to share when you are in leadership settings or public service roles. 

Sharing a tradition is not about performance. It is about showing pride and inviting others to learn. For example, I have introduced friends and peers to Hawaiian celebrations and explained the reasons behind them. These moments create mutual respect and help people feel more open about their own backgrounds. If you are not sure where to start, ask your family members or elders about something they remember from their childhood. 

4. Make Space for Culture in Your Digital Presence 

Your online presence is a reflection of what matters to you. Posting about your culture, whether it is a caption about a traditional outfit or a video teaching a phrase in your language, can educate and inspire your audience. It also gives others permission to share their own stories. 

You do not need to post all the time, and you do not need to overexplain. A simple post with a personal connection is often more impactful than a long explanation. When I share Ukrainian, Hawaiian, or Latin content on social media, I focus on why it matters to me and how it relates to what I am doing now. It becomes a record of identity that supports the rest of my leadership work. Think about one part of your heritage that you would be proud to post about and use that as a starting point.

 

5. Let Culture Inform the Way You Serve Others 

Your background gives you insight. It shapes your values, your perspective, and your understanding of community. When you take time to reflect on your culture, it helps you identify the causes and communities you feel most connected to. This can guide your leadership decisions, your service work, and your long-term goals. 

My own nonprofit work and community service are based on the values I learned from my upbringing as a war evacuee, military child, and global student. Unity Across Borders came from the idea that we can build empathy through cultural understanding. I would not have reached that mission without looking inward first. Take time to think about what your background has taught you about responsibility, family, and justice. Use those lessons as a foundation for how you lead. 

Final Thoughts: 

You do not have to change who you are to step into leadership. Your culture is part of your identity, and that identity has a place in every room you enter. Embracing it helps you lead with more honesty, more care, and more connection. 

It also helps you better understand the people around you. When you take time to explore your own background, you become more aware of the diverse experiences and values that shape others. This awareness strengthens your ability to lead with respect and inclusivity. Culture is not only something to preserve, it is something to celebrate, both in ourselves and in others. When you bring your full self into your work, you create space for shared understanding. That is where real leadership begins.

-------------------------

Aloha Headshots

Darja Bassut is the current Miss Oahu (HI). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

Find here other guest blogs for Section 36 Forevers here.