December 23, 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

10 things you don’t know about me… Alisyn Franzen

December 13, 2021

December 13, 2021

We asked St. Joseph Middle School Principal Alisyn Franzen to tell us 10 interesting things about herself. Here are her...

10 things you don’t know about me… Brad Krall

February 20, 2019

February 20, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is Brad Krall,...

Kids say….

August 1, 2019

August 1, 2019

Students from PVO South tell us if they would like to be a farmer. This post is sponsored by Longview...

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...

Get to know to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Maya Hewkin

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is the connection between the students. Being in band is like being a part...

Ask the Doctor with Dr. Jeanelle Murphy

March 10, 2020

March 10, 2020

What are the pros of breastfeeding your newborn? How long would you recommend breastfeeding? Breast milk is the perfect food...

Welcome home: Parade set to honor Randall

October 2, 2021

October 2, 2021

Lyndsey Leemon is proud of her brother. So proud in fact, she wants to honor him with a parade to...

5 Questions with Cohen Sands

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

We asked the members of the Heritage Bass Chorus five questions. Here are Cohen Sands answers. What does it mean...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

‘There was a spunk and tenacity to her that would never quit, concede or fail’

February 2, 2023

February 2, 2023

Tiffany Kelley was many things. A loving mother. A great friend. An inspiration and a fighter. The St. Joseph resident...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

5 Question Friday with Drama Director Chandler Dalton

October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

The SJO drama department is producing “The Internet is Distract—Oh look a kitten!” Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at...

Cunningham wants to help Homer grow

April 6, 2021

April 6, 2021

Ray Cunningham feels he has unfinished business.  Cunningham is running for reelection as Homer’s mayor on April 6.  “I am...

Kids Say…

April 3, 2019

April 3, 2019

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

St. Joseph rallies to find missing dog

September 17, 2020

September 17, 2020

Operation bring Piper home is in full effect in St. Joseph. Piper, a yellow labrador retriever, went missing from the...

Comments
Leave a Reply