Eden Hall Upper Elementary student named Miss Pennsylvania Preteen

Clad in her performance black and red tutu with gold trim and USA National Jr. Miss Pennsylvania Preteen sash, 10-year-old Brinsley Grace Benson was ready to put on a show. Her crown crown sparkled against the florescent lighting in the community area of the assisted living facility Magnolia Place of Saxonburg.

Immediately upon her arrival on Oct. 17, it was evident that Brinsley Grace was a welcomed guest.

“I remember you from last time,” said 91-year-old resident Janet Hohman as she smiled from ear to ear.

Brinsley Grace has a way of leaving a lasting impression. Hohman’s memory has been affected due to recent health problems, but she can still recall when Brinsley Grace visited the assisted living facility early this year.

“How can you forget a smile like that?” Hohman said.

Brinsley Grace, a fifth grader at Eden Hall Upper Elementary in Pine-Richland School District, competed in the USA National Miss Northeast Regional Pageant earlier this month in Erie, Pa., in the age 10 to 12 category. Contestants were asked to compete in several areas, including talent and interviewing during the two-day contest. Brinsley Grace earned the title of Miss Pennsylvania Preteen in her second ever pageant.

“I was overjoyed when they called my name,” Brinsley Grace said. “I was so excited. I was super excited about thinking about the opportunities I’d have and all the stuff I get to do.”

One of thing Brinsley Grace is able to do is continuing to volunteer work. As part of her work on becoming a Miss Pennsylvania Preteen, she had to pick a cause to advocate for. Brinsley Grace decided create the platform “Brinsley’s helping hands for seniors.”

It’s a cause that Brinsley Grace’s mother, Courtney Elizabeth Benson, can not only raise awareness on, but can make a difference with.

“I wanted her to be able to have a cause that she could dedicate time to,” Benson said. “Not just something that she could tell people about, but I wanted her to have something that she could go volunteer out on a Saturday or go to after school and help in that way.”

At Magnolia Place, she visited with residents and preformed her talent, a ballet performance inspired by “La Esmeralda.”

Performing for residents is an issue Brinsley Grace said is near to her heart.

“It is very special to me,” Brinsley Grace said. “I love volunteering, I love meeting the people here and hearing their life stories.”

Amie Feeney, the director of quality assurance of Magnolia Place of Saxonburg, said that Brinsley Grace has a powerful impact with the residents.

“It means a lot of them,” Feeney said. “You can see the smile on their faces. They remember. We have conversations afterwards about her visits. It reminds them of their grand kids that they don’t get to see on a daily basis.”

The inspiration to dedicate her platform to serving the elderly came from honoring her late grandfather.

“I had a grandfather who recently passed away,” Brinsley Grace said. “He had a very good friend named Letcicia. And he used to call her everyday, and I thought ‘well she might be a little lonely.’”

The two formed a friendship that led Brinsley Grace to want spend her time volunteering by comforting others.

“She was my best friend,” Brinsley Grace said. “I trusted her with everything.”

Brinsley Grace’s pageant coach, 2017 USA National Miss Pennsylvania Gretchen (Porter) Connor, played a pivotal role in Brinsley Grace’s run for the state crown. There is a lot of time dedication preparing for a pageant. Brinsley also cheerleads, dances, golfs and plays tennis — so she does not have a typical fifth grade schedule.

The love and support she gets from her family and friends goes along way to getting her ready for pageants.

“It’s extremely important that girls in pageants, or truly any extra curricular programming, have support,” Conner said. “Brinsley is very fortunate that she has support from her family to prepare her, keep her organized and guide her through any obstacles. Whether it’s family, friends mentors throughout the community, it’s important that we empower and support young children like Brinsley throughout their journey.”

Brinsley will be competing in the national pageant in Orlando in July 2024.