Miss O’Fallon 2019 Hannah Bennion wants to put a smile on peoples’ faces
Flashing her beaming smile, the reigning Miss O’Fallon Hannah Bennion is on a mission to engage and uplift children — and adults — during the current coronavirus public health crisis.
As one who enjoys performing, Bennion has started posted videos on her YouTube channel. She plans to post them every Monday for the time being. The first one, “For the Children of O’Fallon,” featured her strumming a ukulele and singing “Let It Go” from Disney’s smash-hit “Frozen.” It received 749 views in four days.
“I thought I might get 30 views. It is now over 700 views. I’m really excited about this,” she said. “We are so limited by what we can do, so I brainstormed. I asked (pageant director) Kristy Schulte if she thought it was OK.”
On April 20, she posted “Pajama Party!” and switched from a sequined formal gown to a koala-bear print flannel onesie and sang “Almost There” from the Disney animated film “The Princess and the Frog.”
Her weekly videos might not always be a song — she might read children’s stories too. The videos are also posted on the Miss O’Fallon Scholarship Pageant Facebook page.
A ray of sunshine in her videos, it is easy to see how easily she can spread happiness. Bennion believes happiness is a choice and that making people smile can make “a whole world of difference,” she said.
“There are so many good things happening in our community, so much kindness,” she said, noting her employer, Joe’s Pizza and Pasta in Fairview Heights, where she works part-time, delivers a free meal to a struggling family in need every night.
Therefore, on that note, she is challenging people to do something nice for someone.
A senior at O’Fallon Township High School, she was to play the lead actress, Morticia Addams, in the spring musical “The Addams Family.” But that has been canceled during the mandatory stay-at-home order throughout the state. She also misses show choir because singing and performing is something she likes to do for fun.
All in all, entertaining others is nothing new for Bennion, as she did just that for her family growing up.
“Our fireplace has a little step and I would stand on it and sing,” she said.
Bennion plans to major in education at Brigham Young University this fall. She would like to teach at the junior high school level.
“I think I can connect to 11-, 12-years-olds,” she said.
The daughter of Lisa and Dustin Bennion, she has two younger siblings — Chase, 12, and Olivia, 15.
“I’ve had a good little life here growing up in O’Fallon,” she said.
Miss O’Fallon enjoying her reign
Bennion said she is grateful for the opportunities being Miss O’Fallon has given her. Growing into a confident public speaker has been one of the outcomes as she visits various groups and helps organizations with their causes.
“It’s been so amazing,” she said.
She kicked off her reign opening the Vine Street Market, and has since helped two organizations that support young mothers by delivering baby supplies, helped at a fundraiser for the Special Olympics Torch Run, helped serve food at the O’Fallon Police Department’s Night to Unite and sang the National Anthem at the O’Fallon Veteran’s Day services. She has also visited two senior living centers.
“It has given me a deeper understanding of what they do for O’Fallon,” she said. “I have seen so much love and support. I see O’Fallon totally different now.”
Bennion was scheduled for some parades in the region that were rained out, but that is also one of her duties. Still, she hopes to be in more this summer if such activities resume.
Bennion plans to help with 2020 Miss O’Fallon Pageant
The Miss O’Fallon Scholarship Pageant is scheduled for July 31 this year, and if it all goes according to plan, she will return to help mentor the contestants.
Bennion will assist at rehearsals and do mock interviews in preparation for the pre-show judge interviews. New to the public event this year is a question portion that has been added, taking the place of the swimsuit competition. Organizers announced the new segment will allow personalities to shine.
Bennion said she entered the Miss O’Fallon Scholarship Pageant because it was something she always wanted to do — and because it terrified her.
“It was a dream of mine. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I was really nervous. Hearing the audience laugh during my performance made me relax,” she said.
For the talent portion, she did a comical routine where she sang and acted like a kindergartner, wearing pigtails.
“I figured I was either going to be a hit or miss, but it went over really well,” she said.
Her mom was also in the Miss O’Fallon pageant, and Hannah was able to wear her mother’s gown in the competition.
Finishing high school, Miss O’Fallon activities, church
Because high school is now a remote e-learning format, she is working on her last semester of classes at home.
“It’s sad that we don’t get to go back,” she said.
College starts Sept. 11, so Bennion plans to continue doing her activities as Miss O’Fallon as allowed during the global pandemic.
She is also involved in service projects at her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
“I love doing service, and it has opened a lot of doors for me in ways to serve,” she said.
In the meantime, she hopes to turn frowns into smiles.
“I’m glad I am able to bring some joy to people during this time,” she said.
Get to know Hannah Bennion
Q: Do you have words to live by?
A: I believe happiness is not circumstantial, but it’s a choice.
Q: Whom do you most admire?
A: I admire my parents, Lisa and Dustin Bennion, and best friend, Emma Ellington. They are my biggest supporters and great role models.
Q: If you could spend time with a famous person, past or present, whom would it be?
A: I have a little crush on Chris Pratt. What can I say, he makes me laugh. Because Chris is a child in an adult body, I feel like our goofy personalities would have a really fun day together.
Q: What is the last book that you read?
A: A while ago I read “To all the boys I’ve loved before.” I’m a sucker for teen love stories. A little secret of mine is I love pretending I’m the main girl in the stories. I know it sounds cheesy, but what girl doesn’t want to imagine being with a beautiful boy in Paris?
Q: What do you do for fun and relaxation?
A: The best therapy for me is being outside. I love rolling down the car windows and driving through back roads with my friends. The miles of corn and giant cotton ball clouds are so peaceful and beautiful to me.
Q: What did you want to do career-wise when you were growing up?
A: I want to teach junior high kids. Speaking is such a fun talent of mine, and I think I would really enjoy the work. I want to be that creative teacher who changes up the game.
Q: What do you think is your most outstanding characteristic?
A: As my confidence has grown, I’ve been told me stage presence is impressive. Often, I have the opportunity to speak for groups of people, and I love every second! For years, I have performed in several musicals, and it’s one of the biggest blessings God has given me.
Q: What irritates you most?
A: I cannot stand watching people eat with their mouths open. It’s not polite. If I can see and hear what is happening inside my date’s mouth, he’ll likely be friend zoned.
Q: What type of music do you listen to?
A: I’m open to a large variety of music. As long as it’s clean, I’ll take any new song requests.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I work at Joe’s Pizza and Pasta. The people I work with are the best. We dance and joke around constantly. Because quarantine kept me from seeing friends on my birthday, I decided to work because I love my coworkers so much.
Q: If you were independently wealthy, what would you be doing?
A: I would buy a whole new wardrobe and travel! I have a long bucket list, and that would be the perfect way to check some things off.
Q: When they make a movie of your life, who would play you?
A: I would hands down have Lily James play me. She starred in Cinderella and Mamma Mia. James is such an elegant and fun actress to watch, not to mention her beautiful singing voice.
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you have with you?
A: I would bring different salad dressings, tanning lotion, and Chris Pratt to keep me safe. Now that I think about it, being stranded doesn’t sound too terrible.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 8:54 AM.