November 21, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 Things You Don’t Know About Me… Kaitlyn Hess

Every week we ask a community member to share 10 facts about themselves. This week we spoke to St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Kaitlyn Hess, the 2019 Miss IDTA Solo Grand Champion.

1. The name of my first pets were Belle and Sasha.

2. I started dancing when I was three and I started competing when I was five.

3. I can dance to any song, when I hear a song the dance moves just kind of come to me.

4. New York is my favorite place to go to but my favorite dance competitions places would be Collinsville, Peoria, Unity, and Springfield.

5. I always take my Christmas blanket with me to competitions.

6. I want to open up a dance studio with my sister.

7. It was unbelievable (to win a state title) I was in shock, I love dancing and seeing how it paid off and I got to achieve my dream was unreal.

8. Right now my state title trophy on my kitchen counter but I am going to move it to the desk in my room.

9. Grey’s Anatomy or This Is Us is my favorite show but my favorite dance show would be So You Think You Can Dance.


10. My favorite part of dance is being able to express my emotions and show everyone who I am. Dance is a part of me and I love being able to show that side of myself to people, I think it helps them understand me better.

in Life
Banner
Related Posts

Kids say…

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Senior Spotlight… Joey Acton

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we talked to Joey Acton. This post is sponsored...

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

‘Her heart was golden’ — Short loses battle with cancer

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Nine years ago, Sarah Logan Loomis raised her hand at a meeting of parents. The meeting was for her daughter,...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Damler

May 27, 2022

May 27, 2022

Jeff Damler, is the Senior Vice President, Loan Officer, Branch Manager at Longview Bank in St. Joseph. Here are 10...

Benefit to be held for Fisher family

March 18, 2019

March 18, 2019

Next Saturday the St. Joseph IGA and Wagner Signs and Graphics are coming together for a good cause. From 7...

More than a coach: SJO to honor Duval with field dedication ceremony Friday night

August 19, 2021

August 19, 2021

An educator. A coach. A friend. A husband. A father. A community icon. On Friday night the community and high...

Scholarship honors, remembers Dick Duval: ‘His legend will live on in St. Joe’

October 5, 2021

October 5, 2021

If you want to know who Dick Duval truly was, all you have to do is ask St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

10 things you don’t know about me… Sue Esposito

March 13, 2019

March 13, 2019

Every week we ask a community member to share 10 things about themselves. This week it is Ogden Trustee Sue...

‘I love feeling a part of the community’

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

Almost a year ago exactly, The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the naming and grand opening of...

10 things you don’t know about me… Miss Sophia from Gallo Dance Studio

July 24, 2019

July 24, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident to share 10 fun facts about themselves. This week we caught up with...

Sewing it all together: Hartman taking part in Project Run and Play

March 31, 2022

March 31, 2022

Growing up, St. Joseph resident Emily Hartman used to watch her mother and grandmother sew.They would create one-of-a-kind, custom-made clothes...

10 things you don’t know about me… Kathy McCormick

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

What is your favorite childhood memory? Playing outside with the neighborhood kids – every summer day until dark. What was...

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

Comments
Leave a Reply