Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

Happiness. 

Remember..... you deserve happiness & love. No one can take that away from you. It’s okay to put yourself first. You need to be selfish when it comes to your health and future. 

April will be filled with opportunity.
April will be filled with positivity.
April will be filled with peace.
April will be filled with adventures.
April will be filled with kindness.
April will be filled with love. April is your month to make new, heal, and grow. 

It’s your lucky month(:

-xoxox, 

Kateln Andrist

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

Sportsmanship in Pageantry and Scholarship Competitions - a Guest Blog by Francesca D’Alessandro

Photo: Jessielyn Palumbo

Ever heard the quote, “Winning is first place, everything else is losing”? Recently at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Alexandra Trusova, who is one of the greatest Russian Olympic figure skaters, earned second place in the world games. For most people, this would be an accomplishment of a lifetime but instead, she rampaged in a tantrum of frustration stating she would never skate again. Maybe our moments of rejection or failure aren’t so public nor far-reaching but we all have found ourselves in the depths of disappointment. I don’t actively tell myself that winning is everything but I find myself subconsciously thinking this from time to time when preparing for competitions. Below I will share some steps that have helped me when I’ve flopped and provided me with the strength to keep going.

First, to see the whole picture a little better, it might help to understand my background in competing. I never started out in pageants and never thought of myself as “that girl” but I’m glad I was wrong. Ever since childhood, I played in a variety of sports, jumped into local writing and talent contests, participated in statewide singing conferences, as well as auditioned for numerous theaters. That being said, I’ve had more rejections than acceptances. Eventually more and more of my days were viciously consumed by overthinking my flaws, comparing myself to the unrealistic expectations I held and fixated on the perfection I saw in others. I overlooked my own greatness, accomplishments, and my own potential. However, I took notice of these hindering beliefs I held and started to push back. Slowly, I started changing the way I talked to myself, how I spent my time, and how I perceived my life. With these steady and subtle changes, my life transformed in every aspect. Eventually, I enjoyed the challenges I faced and it helped set up a healthy mindset for each goal I set. Not only did objective goals like my run times or the repetitions of weights I could lift improved, but so did other goals such as my thoughts and feelings about others. I became joyful and proud of my peers for winning and wanted to support them the same way I would support myself. 

Here are some things to practice and keep in mind when competing in sports or otherwise:
 
Time to Reflect:
This aspect of the preparation process can be the less glamorous part and it is difficult to see the hard truths we have to face. First, look at what needs improvement and what you aren’t happy with. It could even be something as straightforward as noticing that every time you see pictures from a certain person you follow on social media, you get overwhelmed. This could be related to feelings of comparison even if it’s not intentional. If you get teary-eyed or anxious thinking about your mock interviews, this could mean you’re feeling unprepared or had previously bad experiences that are spilling into your current situation. 

Take Action Steps:
Some believe in the power of goal lists but having a fear list is just as powerful. Next to each fear you are experiencing (and get specific) write the reason why you feel that way and one or more action steps that will help ease your fear. For example, if you are afraid of speaking on a podcast, ask yourself why, and then write an action step of practicing your introduction then practicing the major talking points you’d like to speak upon. Additionally, organize and prioritize your schedule as needed. Find which tasks are the ones that are urgent and place them at the top of the list. Follow that up with tasks that you can slowly work or ones that are less urgent but need to get done that day. This organization and flow will help maintain an inner peace as you are preparing for your competition.

Mind Your Thoughts:
Feelings and thoughts become words and actions that make or break your competition experiences. This is true for top athletes across the world. Take notice of the limiting self beliefs and address them immediately. Do not let them sit and steep in your mind. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you, books and podcasts that add to your growth, and tell yourself mantras or beliefs that focus on your strengths and give you hope. Do not allow more than a moment for self-doubt and thoughts of self-comparison. Realize that you are enough as you are, you will get better over time, and you are worthy of love and respect throughout the entire journey.

Hopefully these tips will help you find the inner strength to keep going as well as find a sense of camaraderie as you prepare for your local or state competitions. We are stronger together and your only competition is within yourself. In the words of Simone Biles, one of the distinguished gymnasts of all time, “A successful competition for me is always going out there and putting 100 percent into whatever I'm doing. It's not always winning….but for me, it's hitting the best sets I can, gaining confidence, and having a good time and having fun.”

-Francesca D’Alessandro Miss Metropolitan New York 2022

I can't thank Francesca enough for sharing this with us. I hope you enjoyed it!

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

“Let go of being perfect. Nothing in life is perfect, therefore you’re not supposed to be. Love your imperfections, I know it’s hard, it's taken me a long time to love them with myself. But I promise when you let go, that day you realize how much happier you are.” - Ashley Tisdale 

Let’s bring more love, happiness, real, honest, kindness, compassion, passions, self-love, hope, faith, prayer, God and SO much more!!!! It’s time to make the change for yourself. More self- love!!!! Loving yourself and others unconditionally!! Lead with love! Love makes the world go around!! Talk to yourself and others with love! It’s time to let go of the negative thoughts about yourself and others. Once you start loving you for you the world is yours endlessly.

BE MORE KIND TO YOU 

MORE BARE SKIN! NO MAKEUP 

BE THE REAL YOU 

BE MORE LOVING TO YOU 

TALK TO YOURSELF WITH LOVE 

MORE LOVE 

In 2022 I wish you more love with others and yourself! More hope and faith! Believing in yourself and God(: He has a purpose and journey for you! Remember everything happens for a reason and you made it this far!! Keep pushing yourself with your head up! Sooner or later things will fall into place. You matter! You are amazing! You are you. Don’t ever change for anyone! Know your worth.

Remember: Don’t compare yourself to others. Celebrate the little and big wins! Understanding yourself will take time. It’s okay. Enjoy the journey and what comes along with it (: 

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” -Jeremiah 17: 7-8 

Wishing you the best

xoxoxoxox

-Katelyn 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

Proclamation For Manhattan - An Announcement from Katelyn Andrist

An announcement from Katelyn Andrist. I hope you are as excited as I am about  it.

Since November I have been working hard and pushing myself with passing a proclamation for the city of Manhattan, Kansas! I wanted to create a difference and truly live out my mission statement on my proclamation!! 5 months later, 7 different cities, and over 600 vision boards later

my dream became a reality!! Don’t worry I won’t stop here 😉 

I am so grateful to announce my proclamation  “Envisioning Your Future Day” April 5th every year in Manhattan, Kansas! Every year on this day we will celebrate the visions, hopes, and dreams that give us our futures!! We never know what our future has in store for us and where we might go!! But I do know when one is confident and loves themselves genuinely they will go far! 

I am confident every single one of you has a bright future!! Stay tuned for a special event on April 5th!!

Thank you so much to the City Hall of Manhattan, City Commissions, and Mayor Linda Morse for this opportunity!! 

May we continue to break down society and create an empowering, healing, growing, and unique community!! This project is dedicated to a beautiful friend of my mothers, Robyn Waller who passed away a few short months ago. Her beautiful soul and bright smile will forever be missed. On this day may we remember Robyn and how she was a leader who brought awareness, support, and love to everyone who encouraged her. Her vision board, words, and her beautiful souls will live on forever ❤️

Also, a special shout-out to my best friend Alyssa for all her help 🙂

I want to thank Katelyn for allowing me to share this announcement. 

Ferell Blanc Visits Section 36 Forevers!

Ferell Blanc is a pageant coach and a talented photographer whose work you've probably seen on Section 36 many times. It seemed about time to have her visit so we could all learn a little bit more about here. I'm sure you'll love to hear what she has to say.

So, let’s see what happens when Ferell Blanc visits Section 36!

You currently work as a pageant coach. What do you enjoy about that field?

For me, pageants are not about winning a crown and sash. When I first competed in 2005, it was for an opportunity to create change in local schools with bullying. My heart is still in that same mindset with pageants - what are you passionate about, and how will you impact your community? I love seeing my clients get involved in the community with their passions. Even more so, I love watching them grow as an individual. One of the most heartfelt moments was when a parent shared that they gave me their little girl, and I gave them back a young woman. Seeing their confidence shift and communication skills grow while knowing that they are learning life skills that will take them far in the future is the best!

As a former pageant titleholder and director, does that dual experience help you as a coach?

A lot of coaches are former titleholders and even judges. I've been fortunate to do both and even had formal MAO judge training back in the 1.0 days. I absolutely loved my time as a director and wished that it was something I could still do but the workload was too much to balance with a full-time job while planning to start a family. I had incredible titleholders that became family. Some attended my wedding, some still call me mom to this day. With the good comes the bad; I can say that I also had difficult titleholders/parents that created friction in our pageant family. So I understand the different personalities that directors work with, the qualities they are looking for, and personality traits that are red flags. I know how directors communicate to their judges the job description and those stellar titleholder qualities.

You’re also an incredible photographer. What is the most challenging part about being behind the camera?

Thank you so much! I love being behind the camera and making clients feel confident and comfortable with themselves. Making sure clients understand the importance of pageant-style professional hair and makeup can be challenging. A headshot is an investment with your pageant and brand, the first impression to the judges (along with your paperwork), and the images are ways to brand yourself on social media. Not having professional pageant and camera-ready makeup makes for extra work for me in Photoshop. I keep my prices affordable so that clients can spend extra in that department and provide them with a list of professionals to consider.

You’ve been able to combine your two careers by photographing titleholders, including several Section 36 Forevers. What do you enjoy most about titleholder photoshoots?

A titleholder photoshoot is a celebration! For me, it's like, "Yes girl! Look at you with your crown and sash! Let's celebrate you and get you some fantastic images to remember your year."

Would you say that you have a specific photography style?

My style is vibrant colors with crisp details and being sure to not remove all of the skin texture. I strive to make sure my clients look like themselves because they should match the photo that the judges see of them before they walk into the interview room. I have the insight of judges questioning hair color or length being different and skin tone being washed out in headshots. So I use that insight to make sure my clients look like themselves.

Do you have any specific career goals?

Something that people may not know is that I worked for RMHC of Las Vegas (another background I have that helps me as a pageant coach). While there, it felt like I worked for the "Disneyland of nonprofits" as I called it. I  enjoyed having a lot to do, learning new things, interviewing on the radio stations, working events, and meeting new people. I left RMHC to be a stay-at-home mom because child care is pricey. I didn't know if stay-at-home mom life was meant for me, but it definitely was. I'm enjoying being a mom to my spicy nugget (he is almost 2) and getting to do my photography and coaching in my free time. It would be an absolute dream to travel doing pageant shoots. Maybe when my little guy is bigger I will be able to make that goal a reality. 

---

That would be great!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Ferell for doing this interview, and for sending along so many great pictures to be used. 

I'm sure that after reading this, you may want to find out even more about Ferell and everything she has going on. I would definitely suggest checking out her website, and following her on Instagram at her photography and coaching accounts. 

And, if you talk to her don’t forget to tell her you saw her on Section 36 Forevers!

Thanks again Ferell!

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you. Push yourself to be the best version of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. This is a new week for you. Let go and stop thinking about last week. Think about now. You have the gift of now. Make your life a masterpiece; imagine NO limitations on what you can be, have, or do. Let no one discourage your ambitious attitude. You don’t need a fan club to achieve your goals. You need confidence in yourself. Be your own motivation. Have an amazing week(: I’m proud of you for coming this far! Keep pushing yourself! Brighter days are coming my love!"

With gratitude,
-Katelyn Andrist 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

My Miss America 100 Finals Story- A Guest Blog by Lauren Bradford

I know that one thing I always wonder is what happens behind the scenes at Miss America. What happens that the cameras might not show. Lauren Bradford, Miss Alabama 2021, was kind enough to take us behind the curtains with the story of her Miss America final night. I hope you enjoy it!

The final night of Miss America, after being called into Top 10, I was supposed to be #6 to perform my talent. I was called onto the stage during a commercial break, and the pedal board that I was planning to run my sound through wasn’t working. It had worked during sound check, and we could not figure out what was wrong. We started ripping apart my board on the stage in front of the judges with 15 seconds to go in commercial. I was ushered off the stage, and the next candidate in line had to perform. I was skipped put at the end of the performance schedule. Backstage, the sound guys would not give up with my board, and finally realized what was wrong right before I was supposed to go out again. After all of the commotion backstage, I finally started playing — and this time, my sound wasn’t working. I didn’t know what was wrong (a different issue than before), and had to make a choice to keep going, or stop and check everything in front of a live-streamed audience and panel of my judges. I decided to keep going, because in the moment, that really felt like the only true decision there was. Halfway through the song, I realized that my board was muted, and stamped my foot on the pedal to fix it. The crowd went wild once they were able to finally hear me. I got to finish the song with sound, and when I made it off stage, I was breathing so heavy because I had just poured everything into the performance to try and make up for what had happened. But the sound crew approached me and told me not to go anywhere, that I would be performing my talent song again. I could barely breathe and asked for some water, which they helped me find. Then I had to go out pretty soon after that to perform the full song again. 

This was truly one of those moments that I never thought would happen to me, and it happened on the Miss America stage. After finishing for the final time and walking off of stage, I immediately knew I hadn’t made it to the next round, and just started to accept how happy I was to have made the Top 10. I was running to the dressing room to change into the next interview round. I was running in my heels up to the stage to make it on before the commercial break ended, and I happened to be the first called into the Top 5. If you watched Miss America, the surprise and gratitude and emotion on my face is absolutely real. I had told myself that Top 10 was the end of the road for me. After rushing to get into my interview dress and the entire talent sound fiasco (as the last to perform), I was the first one that was supposed to enter the on stage interview. Those moments were SUCH a whirlwind with literally seconds to calm myself down. That ended up being my favorite round of competition by far because I was able to share so many things that were so important to me. 

In the final moments of Miss America, I was so incredibly honored to be standing with Emma as she was called Miss America. I was so filled with joy because I really do adore her and think she has an incredible personality, and we had spent a lot of time together because of the alphabetical order state lineups that we often did during the week — with Alabama and Alaska always being the first two in line. I absolutely was not disappointed because I am a firm believer that God has a beautiful plan for every single person, and knowing that I was able to get that close with the door closing at the very end was confirmation that I couldn’t have done anything differently. 

I can't thank Lauren enough for sharing this story with us.