Finding My Path

By Anaia Mayner

Growing up as the middle child in a family overflowing with talent was both a blessing and a challenge. With that being said I often found myself wondering- where did I fit in? This question followed me throughout middle school and high school, fueling a pattern of constant comparison. This in turn crippled my outlook on my own unique qualities and abilities. I became obsessed with matching the talents and capabilities of those around me. I lost sight of who I truly was, and the weight of comparison slowly dimmed my light.

 
However, everything shifted when I turned 20. In a moment of clarity, I realized a simple but powerful truth: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This revelation sparked a transformation within me. I decided to break free from the shell I had built around myself (a shell made of self-doubt and the fear of not being "enough”) and step into the woman God created me to be.

This awakening was the birth of my community service initiative: “Shattering the Mirrors of Comparison”. My CSI is more than just a platform but rather my way of life. It is an integral part of who I am and what I aim to share not only with my community but with the world. I hope to inspire others to silence the noise of comparison, embrace their authenticity, and step boldly into their purpose.

I thank God for the patience and persistence he has showed me over the years, allowing me to reach this point of my life. And I thank Him for presenting me with the amazing opportunity to be a brand ambassador for the Miss America Organization. I know without Him I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am in life today.

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Anaia Mayner is the current Miss Gaston County (NC). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Dear Younger Self: A Letter of Reflection and Hope

By Jenna Nickles

Dear Younger Self,

As I look back on my journey, I feel the need to reach out to the younger version of myself who faced the tough battles of anxiety and depression. I want you to know how proud I am of you for not just surviving but thriving. Graduating two years early is a huge achievement that shows your determination and resilience. Every step you took, even the small ones, has led you to this amazing moment. 

Your path has always been about more than just school; it’s about finding purpose. Choosing to pursue a career in the United States Coast Guard is a testament to your bravery and commitment to serving others. You’ve always had a heart for helping people, and this career will let you do just that while embracing adventure. 

The Miss America Organization has played a significant role in shaping who you are today. Through its emphasis on confidence, empowerment, and community service, you’ve learned to embrace your true self and advocate for mental health awareness. Participating in this organization has helped you overcome anxiety and depression, giving you a platform to share your story and inspire others. The skills you’ve gained in public speaking and leadership will serve you well as you continue your journey. 

Looking ahead, your dream of becoming an oncologist reflects your compassionate nature and your desire to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. The road to becoming a doctor will be challenging, but your experiences with anxiety and depression, along with the lessons from Miss America, have equipped you with a unique perspective to connect deeply with your future patients. Embrace the rigorous training ahead, knowing you have the strength to excel. 

As you move forward, cherish the lessons learned and the strength gained along the way. You are capable of achieving greatness, and the world is eager for your contributions. Embrace your journey, and never lose sight of the incredible person you are becoming. 

With love and support, 

Jenna today.

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Jenna Nickles is the current Miss Upstate New York's Teen. You can find her on her title's Instagram. 

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Oh, the Places Your Dreams Will Take You

 By Shannah Weller

You know when you’re a kid, and someone asks you “what do you want to be when you grow up?” you say, “a doctor!” or “the President!” or some other illustrious career! For me, my answer was “a scientist!”. In the third grade, I remember learning about the planets, stars, and galaxies that light up our night skies, and I was enamored by them! However, like many of us, as I got older, I let my dream of becoming a scientist go for many years. One of the reasons I lost sight of my dream of solving the mysteries of the universe and our world was because outside influences told me that my dreams were impossible to achieve. Throughout high school, I had teachers and counselors who were less than encouraging when it came to my interest in science. They would say things like, “not with that grade you won’t become a scientist,” or “but you don’t look like a scientist. You look like the type of girl who insert stereotype here”. I was bombarded with similar attitudes constantly, and once I graduated, I was convinced I didn’t have what it takes to see my dream come to fruition. 

Fast forward to 25-year-old-Shannah. She’s three years into an international trade career at an aerospace company. Then COVID hit… Life changed, and she decided to go back to school part time. Unfortunately, a year prior to COVID, she lost her sister Jana to Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that chronically damages and hinders the lungs, causing the inability to breathe properly. Jana was a fighter. She too, was told by authority figures her dreams were unobtainable because of her physical disability. But unlike me, she didn’t listen! She traveled internationally on her own as a volunteer and missionary throughout Central America. It wasn’t until after working through the grief of losing my sister that I was able to take inspiration from her, fully realizing if she could do it, I could do it too! So, I left my career to go back to school full time. I was 26. Thankfully I had some credits under my belt already before enrolling at Saint Michael’s College two years ago! Now, at 28 years old, I’m

a senior and on my way to getting a Bachelor of Science in Biology! I’m currently a lab assistant in the Environmental Science Department at Saint Mike’s and am doing limnological research on Lake Champlain! I’m doing what I love and loving every moment of it! I’m a scientist! I also now run a nonprofit donation drive called the For the Love of Science (FLS) Donation Drive, where I collect donated STEM kids’ activity kits and donate them to afterschool programs around my state. One of my goals as the new Ms. New England Petite is to expand FLS throughout New England! 

My hope is to show the next generation of dreamers that no matter what, you can see your dreams come true. And it doesn’t have to be a dream about becoming a scientist! The most important thing is we stay true to ourselves, believe in ourselves, and celebrate the most authentic versions of ourselves! 

Keep dreamin’, reader! Because your dreams are closer than you think!

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Shannah Weller is the current Ms New England Petite USA. You can follow her on her title's Instagram and website. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

21 things I learned by 21

By Arianna Shanks-Hill

In the month of December I celebrated my 21st birthday. The night before, I sat down with my journal and I wrote about all the things I was grateful for: all the things that made the first 21 years of my life remarkable. Then, I thought about all of the not so great things I experienced that taught me some extremely valuable lessons. I decided to write some of those down as well, because there are no amazing highs without the accompanying lows (which arguably stand to teach us the most about ourselves). As I sat and wrote these lessons down it occurred to me that some of them would have been very helpful to have at an earlier time in my life, and most of them I'm still working on mastering. So, whether you find something you needed to hear or are reminded of an important lesson you learned in your own life, here it is:

21 things I learned by 21…

1. Other people’s opinions of you are none of your business

2. You are destroying your own peace by responding to everything. Not everything deserves your time or attention

3. It is always better to try and fail than not try at all. 

4. There is no such thing as “the right time” there is only time and what you choose to do with it

5. You are entirely up to you. No one else's actions will ever define you

6. Someone else’s qualifications do not take away from yours. Have faith in what makes you, you

7. There is always room for more people at the table. Don’t be afraid to support and uplift others on your way to achieving your goals

8. Embarrassment is subjective; its only embarrassing if you let it be

9. The only person who is coming to save you is yourself

10. If outside validation is your only form of nourishment then you will be hungry for the rest of your life. Fill your own cup

11. Do not let the things that have happened to you turn you into a person you are not

12. The universe will keep sending you the same lesson until you learn it; whatever you are not changing you are choosing

13. Whatever it is, do it scared. The time will pass anyway

14. It is literally impossible to miss out on what is meant for you

15. the way people treat you says more about them than it does about you; forgiveness says more about you than it does about them

16. If you are only focusing on what you don't have, you will never be satisfied. Be grateful and count your blessings and your blessings will never run out

17. Suffering does not make you brave

18. To love and be loved is rest

19. Some people will love you no matter what you do, and some people will never love you no matter what you do. Go where the love is

20. Do not borrow grief from the future. Let today be today and tomorrow be tomorrow

21. Love comes from so many places other than just romantic relationships. There is never a replacement for true, genuine friendship

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Arianna Shanks-Hill is the current Miss Tippecanoe (Indiana). You can find her on her title's Instagram and/or her personal Instagram. She is also frequent and valued contributor to Section 36 Forevers. 

To learn more about Arianna, feel free to check out her Interview with Section 36.