A 2012 graduate of Bridgeport High School, where she played basketball and volleyball – and tenor sax for the BHS Marching Band – Danielle Hamner earned her first pageant title when she was crowned Benedum Festival Queen.

 

And although she has never really hit the pageant circuit hard, this particular title was important to her – important enough that she tried three times to win it. On June 22, 2014, the third time was a charm. Even though she did well in each division of the pageant, it was her personal interview that made her a standout contestant.

 

She attributes that to the fact that Bridgeport is where she was born and raised – and talking about its history comes along with an innate sense of pride.

 

“I felt really comfortable with the judges. I had studied about Michael Benedum three years in a row now, plus I grew up knowing a lot about him,” she said. “It just came second nature this year. It wasn’t like reciting facts. I knew them.”

As a little girl, Danielle went to Cubby’s Child Care, which was then located in the Benedum Civic Center, one of Benedum’s major projects for the city – one that was named after him and built to replicate his boyhood home.

 

She had heard stories about the Bridgeport benefactor – how he worked in the milling industry before starting his own very successful oil business.

 

Danielle’s reign as Benedum Festival Queen includes not only appearances at the signature festival, but also others throughout the state which she will visit and participate in. She will also represent the Benedum Festival at the West Virginia Fairs and Festivals Pageant, held each January in Charleston. With each opportunity, she looks forward to sharing her city heritage and history.

 

“It’s very important to me because it’s my hometown and I get to represent something I’ve grown up seeing,” she said.

 

Danielle began her official duties Thursday night during the Michael L. Benedum Fellows Banquet held at Bridgeport Conference Center. She was the first Benedum Festival queen to serve as emcee of the event.

 

She wasn’t very nervous about it - and it wasn’t her vocal stage debut.

 

“I’ve done a whole lot of singing and I’ve written my entire recital – almost like writing a play,” she said.

 

Danielle has studied voice for several years with Pam Krall and has performed at events including the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival.

 

She and her sister Gabrielle – who served as BHS drum majorette during the 2011-12 school year - have sung the National Anthem at many area ballgames, including home BHS basketball and volleyball games for which they both played.

The 20-year-old Hamner twins both attend West Virginia University and both are chemical engineer majors. The sisters both serve as counselors at WVU’s summer engineering camp. Danielle also works part-time at Bridgeport Conference Center.

 

But this weekend, it’s all about the 20^th Annual Benedum Festival and the newly-crowned queen looks forward to every minute.

 

She will likely be seen running the 5K – in her sash – and participating in the pet parade with her Australian shepherd, Squiggles. She’ll also be browsing vehicles at the car show, deciding upon the “queen’s choice” award. And you can count on her being up-front-and-center during the festival’s fireworks finale.

 

She and her “sister queens” – winners in the other Benedum Festival Pageant age divisions – will also be making stage appearances.

 

Danielle, who sings country and pop – with a sweet spot for ‘The Beatles’ - might even perform.

 

“They asked me to have a couple of songs prepared in case I needed to fill in during the ‘BBF’s Got Talent’ show,” she said.

 

Hamner is shown, above, with her twin sister Gabrielle; with Disney personality Peyton List, Benedum Festival Teen Queen Courtney Trader and Tiny Queen Emory Haddix during the grand opening of the Connect-Bridgeport Kids Zone at Meadowbrook Mall. 

 

Read more about the Benedum Festival Pageant and winners of various categories HERE.

 

Access a Benedum Festival schedule HERE.