A Carbon County sophomore is turning a personal mission into a movement, creating space for teens with special needs to be seen, welcomed, and celebrated just like their peers. Bentley Bennett, Miss Sego Lily’s Teen and a student at Carbon High School in Price, is planning an all-abilities pageant in January that centers on teens with special needs.
At 15, Bentley speaks from experience. She has participated in pageants for several years but knows not everyone can share that opportunity. “I realized that some people don’t really get the opportunity to do that because of things they can’t control,” she told KSL.com. “So I wanted to create a pageant that could give them the chance to compete in it and not feel like they’re any less than, because they can’t compete in normal ones.”
The event, titled Crowning Confidence, aligns with her service initiative “Confidence in Yourself.” It aims to help participants feel proud of who they are, regardless of their abilities or the challenges life has placed in their path. More details about the pageant can be found on its dedicated page.
Scheduled for Saturday, January 10, at the Price Civic Auditorium, the pageant will deliver the familiar elements of a traditional pageant—glitz, glamour, and opportunity. Bentley envisions a full experience, including hair and makeup, a chosen outfit, and a talent segment where contestants can showcase whatever they wish.
Her motivation is deeply personal. Bentley has faced confidence and acceptance issues herself and continues to work through those challenges.
Her mother, Nicole Bennett, expressed pride in her daughter’s progress and the impact she’s aiming to make. “She’s been working really hard to ensure that others feel the way they deserve to feel,” she said. A notable example is Bentley’s volunteer leadership of a dance class at Castle Valley Center, a school for students with special needs, where she enjoys witnessing the students shine when given a platform.
Price city officials have expressed support as well. At the November 25 meeting, the City Council approved waiving the auditorium’s $250 usage fee and donated the same amount to support the event. Nicole Bennett noted the positive spirits of community members who stepped forward with help.
Bentley hopes this all-abilities pageant becomes an annual Carbon County tradition. Registration for potential participants closes December 12, and aspiring performers can sign up through the provided form. Bentley remains eager for broad participation and invites supporters to contribute as volunteers, donors, or sponsors.
Further information is available on Bentley’s Crowning Confidence page.
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