Please look below for photos!

With the Lima City Schools' "Breakfast in the Classroom"/food services managers:



Enjoying "Breakfast in the Classroom" with Heritage Elementary's 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms:





Reciting our Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements!



With WLIO NBC/FOX/ABC/CBS First Edition Weather Anchor and Reporter, Kyle Adams (LEFT) and First Edition Co-Anchor, David De Rurange (RIGHT):



Today's lesson: all about FAT! Below, I was photographed holding a realistic, one-pound mass of "fat" for the students to observe and better understand.



Thank you for stopping by! I greatly appreciate all of your support and frequent visits to www.ShannonONeill.us!

Saturday was also noteworthy because it marked my twin brothers' 27th birthday! Believe it or not, March 20th is ALSO our cat Gus' birthday (according to the Allen County Humane Society. We adopted Gus in July of 2008).

I hope you're all having a great and productive weekend. For now, it's off to a relaxing dinner outing with my mom, dad and Uncle Bob.

Until tomorrow, when my journey continues...

With the outgoing Miss Greater Butler County, Rebecka Zoz, and the reigning Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen, Veronica Wende



Rebecka giving opening remarks and singing our National Anthem at the beginning of the program



Veronica performing "Where the Boys Are"



Our new Miss Greater Butler County 2010, Nanciann Strosnider!



Reigning and outgoing titleholders connected to the Miss Greater Butler County Scholarship Program



With Miss Grand Lake Outstanding Teen, Jenna Sweigart



With Anna Reis, Miss Portsmouth, and Jenna Sweigart





My Miss Ohio sis, Nanciann Strosnider, and me :)





Photographed with Smith Runyan (a judge at last night's program), Leslie Norris Townsend (producer of the Miss West Central Ohio/Miss Lima Square Fair Scholarship Programs) and Jenna Sweigart



Mrs. Greater Butler County 2010, Karen Byrd Gibson, and myself



Entertaining the crowd in between phases of competition by singing my favorite Carpenters' hit, "Superstar"



"Stalling" for our contestants in between phases of competition...but keeping things fresh and fun with audience members! I discussed my platform work and personal journey, Rebecka Zoz chatted about her year as Miss Greater Butler County 2009, etc.!:

"THANK YOU!" to everyone who followed my updates on Twitter, especially Abby Bollenbacher who posted the program's general information and final results on MISScellanea. I also couldn't be more grateful to Jacky Johnson (executive director of Miss Greater Butler County) for offering me this wonderful opportunity to get involved with another Ohio local. Furthermore, I thank everyone who attended the show...for not only welcoming me, but also embracing me as the emcee!! You're all the best!! :o)

God bless. I'll be updating again soon...

THANKS AND ENJOY!


PHOTOS:

Here are some photos from audition #4:

With Grandpa Al (YES, we still collect coins and cook grits together...some traditions are too good to let go!)



With Grandma Tootie, in her lucky red jacket. ;)



Hosting and having a blast onstage!

As soon as auditions came to an end, I hurried home so that I could sleep as much as possible before this morning's appearance. Between moving my clock forward and setting the alarm for 6:20 AM (which, I suppose, actually felt like 5:20 AM!), I wanted to be as rested as possible for today's very special event at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lindsey, Ohio: a vocal performance, public speaking engagement and meet-and-greet with Miss America 1988, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson!

I first met and spent time with Kaye Lani at the Miss West Central Ohio/Miss Lima Square Fair Scholarship Program, which she so graciously emceed for us. I feel incredibly blessed to have crossed paths with her again, and was truly touched by the message that she shared with Trinity's congregation. Anyone who has heard Kaye Lani speak, or has even been in her presence, understands what I mean when I describe her as being compassionate, affable and simply filled with so much joy. What an inspirational woman!

Below you will find a selection of photos and videos from our day:

With Stephanie Spitnale (1st runner up to Miss West Central Ohio!) and Miss America 1988, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson.



With Carla Dysert, manager of Lima, Ohio's Primrose Retirement Community. I have had a wonderful time working with Carla over the past few months, and am looking forward to future, city-wide events that are in the works!



Stepping into Kaye Lani's "shoes" for a moment by trying on her crown (Was the little girl inside of me excited or what?!).



Mom just had to get in on the fun, of course. :)



Leading praise and worship with "Shout to the Lord."



Kaye Lani speaking on behalf of Gabby's Ladder, an organization that "provides guiding steps and loving support in a safe place to grieving children, teens, adults, and families as they move step-by-step through grief and find their way to healing. [It] also extends grief education and support services to schools, churches and the community."



Thanks for stopping by! "Au Revoir," I'll be updating you soon! :)

Today, my Fab Friday began with a 7:45 AM wake-up. I may not be much of a morning person, but I was (for once!) excited when my alarm rang because I had been awaiting this day for quite some time: round one of Miss Ohio 2010 gown fittings, accessorizing, and overall wardrobe consultation!

I can't help but look forward to June 10th through the 19th. I know that I am not alone when I share my humble yet sincere hopefulness for this job that only one, deserving woman can claim each year. But by the same token, I anticipate Miss Ohio Week because it is the best opportunity that my good friends/fellow titleholders and I have to reunite for a significant period of time. Bring on the fun! I suppose for now, and for the next three months, all we can do is wait as patiently as possible. :)

Time to get some serious ZZZs. Until tomorrow!

• Full name: Shannon Christine O'Neill
• Birthplace: Lima, Ohio!
• Where are three places other than your home that you have lived? Dublin, Ireland (while studying abroad for 4 months); New York City (working towards my undergraduate degree at Fordham University, Lincoln Center); Los Angeles, California (while taking acting courses for one summer during my high school years).
• Where do you currently live?: I divide my time between Lima, Ohio and "New York, New York" (cue Frank Sinatra!)
• Who do you live with?: In Lima, I live in the home I grew up in with my mom, dad and feisty cat Gus. In Manhattan, I live in an apartment with one of my identical twin brothers, Brendan.
• What does an ordinary day look like for you?: Exercise at the gym, class, read the Wall Street Journal, practice singing, cook, etc...I enjoy routines and adding spontaneity where ever possible!
• Favorite color: Kelly green (Irish, eh?)
• Favorite flower: White roses
• Favorite kind of music: Easy listening! Artists I listen to most on iTunes include Joshua Radin, Colbie Calliat, Jack Johnson, etc!
• Favorite singer/band "of the moment": Lady GaGa/Owl City
• All time favorite singer/band of my generation: Christina Aguilera/Dave Matthews Band
• Favorite movie "of the moment": Up in the Air
• Favorite movie of all time: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
• If Hollywood made a movie about your life, which actress would portray you?: Jennifer Garner or Jessica Alba

• Favorite place to shop: www.BostonProper.com!! Clothes, jewelry, handbags, shoes...they have it all!
• Favorite books: My top three picks: Zola's The Ladies' Paradise; Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man by comedian Steve Harvey; When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner. Honorable mentions: both the Harry Potter and Twilight series
• Beach or lake? Lake! The vastness of the ocean makes me afraid to actually get in the water ( I was once dragged under by a rip tide!), although I enjoy the sounds/scenery of the beach.
• Country or city: Alright, Lima may not be "country" in the strictest sense of the word, but traveling back and forth between my home and NYC, I definitely feel like I get the best of both worlds!
• Soda or coffee? My guilty pleasure is Diet Coke, but my go-to drink is a standard cup of black coffee (the stronger, the better)! ;)
• Morning person or night person? I am a night owl, through and through! At the same time, whenever I get to see the sun rise, I can see why waking up in the early morning is worth it too.
• What did you want to be when you were little? I was pretty much convinced that it was my destiny to become a princess. (Any Prince Harry fans out there??) Other childhood ambitions included becoming a detective, veterinarian, and/or a singer.
• Favorite restaurant: In Lima, I stand by my old favorite, "The Main Street Bistro," and will follow them wherever they move! Another fantastic choice is "The Meeting Place on Market." In New York, there are far too many restaurants to pick just one (it depends on my tastebuds, and I love the variety that's available in the city)!
• What are you afraid of?: Spiders!...And on a more serious note, SPIDERS!!!!!
• What is usually your last thought before falling asleep?: Most nights, I have to remind myself to just relax and clear my mind before I fall asleep. I always find myself adding extra things to my "To-Do List" for the next day!
• Any video/computer game additions?: None currently, but I used to play The Sims for hours on end. I can also shamelessly admit that I have a World of Warcraft account (which is currently deactivated, mind you. In case there are any WOWers out there reading this, my one character is a level 9 "undead warlock" by the name of MissLima)!
• Any bad habits?: Occasional nail biting and picking at blemishes before bedtime! Eek!
• What's the first thing you notice about another person? Eyes; you can sense a lot about a person by the warmth and sincerity in their eyes.
• Name one thing you miss about being a kid: The simplicity of it all!...And I'm sure I'll look back someday on my college years and think the very same thing.
• Name one thing you love about being an adult: Taking personal responsibility! I love being independent and accountable for myself.
• Do you have any hidden talents?: I love to cook! In my humble opinion, I'm quite good. I think it's fantastic experimenting with different spices, though, which usually discourages friends and family from trying the chicken and veggie dishes I prepare! I admit, I have an uncanny taste for red pepper flakes...