Reaching for a World Beyond Food Insecurity

By: Ana Quian

Numbers are important to me. They always have been. Like so many people, I am deeply interested in what it takes to achieve a goal. I like math and economics. I enjoy studying the law and I am good at establishing a persuasive statement. It is not only the people but the numbers that show us that we as Americans can wait no longer to address the issue of food insecurity in the United States.

Food is more than food.  Most of us know that. Food represents love and sustenance, but also security. 1 in 7 Americans today live without the security of knowing where their food will come from.  This reality not only disproportionality impacts Indigenous Americans and People of Color.  It is more serious among children with 1 in 5 children in our country being food insecure. The impacts of food insecurity also impede the lives of the individuals who sacrifice so much for our country. 1 in 9 working-age veterans are food insecure.

With these facts considered, it is easy to feel daunted by the reality of hunger in our nation, but there is so much we can do to bring change. Through consistency in advocacy, volunteerism, and charitable giving, we can support the organizations in our state and our nation who are already on the ground getting food to the people who need it most.  When organizations such as Feeding America, The Campaign Against Hunger, and Rescuing Leftover Cuisine get more resources, they are able to scale up their operations and serve more people in need. 

I have frequently called New Yorkers to “reach” beyond food insecurity.  I say this because a future without hunger will not arrive on its own.  We have to make it a reality. Over my years of volunteerism with organizations including Food Bank for NYC and the Coalition for the Homeless, I have directed over 11,000 pounds of food to the New Yorkers who need it most. I did this by enmeshing my efforts into my life. Use what you have. I use my Communications  education and my voice to advocate for food justice.  I use my own two hands to serve others.  I use the funds I can spare to make a difference.  10 minutes of advocacy per day, 1 hour of volunteerism per week, one donation per month.  Whatever combination of those three resources you can bring— that is what is required.

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Ana Quian is the reigning Miss New York County. You can follow her on Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers. 

Starting Things Off

By Mia Daley

Hi everyone! I’m Mia Daley, your Miss Rhode Island, and I am so excited to be rejoining the Section 36 Forevers family! I had the honor of being Miss Rhode Island teen 2023 and now Miss, Rhode Island 2026!

When I first put on the Miss Rhode Island crown, I knew this year would be busy. What I didn’t realize was just how many incredible moments would fit into just a few months.

One week I’m visiting elementary schools, talking with students about mental health through my Community Service Initiative, Mind in Motion, and leading movement activities that help them recognize and regulate their emotions. The next, I’m standing on stage in rehearsals for Escape to Margaritaville, balancing eight-show weeks with appearances across Rhode Island. Somehow, in between, I’m squeezing in vocal lessons, sponsor appointments, content creation, and trying to keep up with college life.

One of my favorite experiences so far was traveling to Philadelphia for the America250 celebrations with titleholders from across the country. Whether we were preparing for the Living Liberty Bell formation, attending events together, or simply catching up, it reminded me how special this sisterhood really is. It was one of those trips where every day was completely different, but every moment felt memorable.

People often ask what being Miss Rhode Island is really like. The truth is, it’s a lot less glamorous than social media makes it seem. There are early mornings, long drives, garment bags in the backseat of my car, changing outfits and eating dinner whenever I can find five free minutes. But there are also little girls who run up for hugs, parents who share stories about how a school visit made an impact, and opportunities to use this title to start conversations that truly matter.

Outside of appearances, I’m a musical theater student at Salve Regina University, so performing has always been a huge part of who I am. Right now, I’m spending my summer performing in Escape to Margaritaville at the New Bedford Festival Theatre while also preparing for Miss America. It’s definitely a balancing act, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Thank you for following along on this incredible journey. I can’t wait to share it with you, one story at a time! 

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Photo by Daniel Gagnon

Mia Daley is the current Miss Rhode Island. You can follow her on her Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers. 

Surprise!

A few months back I was struck by the idea of creating a space to follow the local delegates on their journey to becoming Miss New York. Only I wanted to remain anonymous for as long as I could get away with it so there wouldn’t be any pressure to participate in takeovers or highlights! 

Well some of our New York queens started figuring out it was me - your friendly neighborhood grief girl. I was unable to attend state this year for a handful of reasons but the main one being i wanted to study abroad in Ireland which was the biggest dream come true of my academic career. If we’ve never met, allow me to reintroduce myself, I’m Lexy, I’m 25 years old from Western New York. I’m originally from Olean, but moved to Rochester when I was little. Pageants weren’t part of my life until 2020, and my first ever one was virtual! I loved every aspect, and through the years I found my voice. Seriously- I didn’t speak outside of my own home until I was like 20 lol. 

At 13 I was diagnosed with Autism after being given an earlier diagnosis of ADHD. As a teenager i developed anxiety after we lost my Uncle to an overdose. None of my peers had experienced loss of a human relative yet, and I felt so alone. It’s been 9 years since that day and I’ve lost 20+ others since. In those 9 years I created three different service initiatives based around him, our family’s little free library where each book is stamped with his memory is one. My international grief support group is two, and most notably is my Ricky’s Lunches With Love bags. Where brown paper bags are sent from every state to be used for outreach purposes. Sometimes it’s a sandwich, sometimes it’s a pair of socks, but each time it helps save a life in my county. 

Ricky isn’t the only one I honor through my Be The Light inititave, it’s also my Grammy Susan. Her grief was so intense she lost her life to it. Technically it was Lung Cancer but it was accelerated by losing Ricky. To honor Gram I work with Worth More Nation as their National Social Media Director. She spent a lot of her life overcoming trauma, and that’s the mission of WMN. It was a natural fit for me once WMN found me, Founder Sandy scooped up this sad college kid and helped her grow into a confident business owner. It’s been an honor serving behind the scenes, and I truly encourage you all to help support the org! 

Outside of pageantry, I’m a senior at Nazareth University and I spend a lot of time with my kitten Marshmallow Meowholland. She’s the light of my life and I’m convinced she’s my actual child. When I’m not with the kitten, I love traveling especially to my beloved Niagara Falls. I’m a grown up theatre kid and still try to catch a show when I can! I currently am exclusively self employed freelancing social media management and look forward to working full time in Marketing post grad! I love playing Minecraft with my little brother and introducing him to my favorite shows such as Doctor Who and Bones! 

With my advocacy work, Autism and Grief may sound like two different topics, but in my lived experience it’s because I’m autistic that I grieve the way I do. Autism isn’t my CSI, nor has it ever been, but it is part of me I cannot change. At the end if the day I’m here to share the story of my family, and use those experiences to help others feel less alone. I am proof that you can rise above your circumstances, and by turning your grief to action you can persevere. I hope you’ll forgive the secrecy around my identity, I wanted the focus to be on the class of 2026 and not on the girl behind the screen. 

I can’t wait to meet you all at Miss New York 2027, or our 2027 FLUNY local! Until then, we will keep celebrating our new queens, and what you all do post Miss NY. 

All my love, 

Lexy 

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Lexy Hearn is the current Administrator at New York's Sweetharts. You can follow her on their Instagram. She also works tirelessly for Worth More Nation at their Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.