Shannon Bingham

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” ... One of the core pillars of my life is serving. Since I was a young child I served my community, whether it was organizing blood drives, teaching VBS at 16, helping neighbors in need, volunteering at the local care center or a camp counselor at various camps, it has always been something that drives my spirit. As an adult, I have continued on a life of service. As a business owner, we give back to the community in various ways, and encourage our staff to do so as well. We volunteer at our local church as a family and we donate to several organizations that are special to us! I still volunteer at various events, none of which pay is requested. I have recently become an adopted family mentor through the Nebraska children’s home as well. Some thing that I hold, dear to my heart. It is special to me and I always hope it inspires others to do the same! As Mrs International, I will continue my quest of service! It is natural for me and will be no transition at all. I hold high value in service and serving others, and will continue to do so long past a crown. Cover photo by @jenpfeff Some organizations highlighted: @nechildrenshome @releaseomaha @heartofachildministries @dreamcityomaha @avasarmy4 @crohnscolitisfoundation @kirstenhaglundfoundation @faithstaska memorial @thehopecenterforkids Global Women’s Forum, Omaha Leaders, @projectharmony @ymcafremont @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #AdoptionIsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #Foster #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Omaha #Nebraska #CouncilBluffs #Iowa #Midwest #WomenInspiringWomen #OmahaNebraska #Adoption #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

Embracing the power of change and compassion as I passionately advocate for adoption and policy reform to create a brighter future for kids. 🌟✨ We all have the ability to impact policy, an advocate for the causes that we are passionate about. Whether it is testifying in front of a Senate committee hearing on a piece of legislation, or being a part of the proclamation by a governor to announce adoption awareness month for the state that we live in it is imperative to be involved! Adopt, advocate, reform. 💙💚 Did you know? 🤍Over 140 million children worldwide are orphans in need of a loving home. 🤍Adoption provides a second chance at life, offering a forever family to those in need. You can affect change! Impact lives. Get involved! Some video by @ninetysixoak Cover photo by @jenpfeff @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #AdoptionIsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #Foster #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Omaha #Nebraska #CouncilBluffs #Iowa #Midwest #WomenInspiringWomen #OmahaNebraska #Adoption #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

As Mrs Midwest International, one way I have been bringing my platform to the forefront is through EDUCATION. I do this by educational talks at schools and with various organizations, using my social media platforms and YouTube, and through various media opportunities. As an adoption advocate and adoptive family mentor, I have been fueled with a desire to be a voice for adoptive children and families around the world. Adoption connects us all according to Eph 1:5. We all know someone that is adopted, and by creating more awareness through education we begin to encourage a more positive, uplifting and encouraging conversation about adoption! For every 1 child born there are over 40 families waiting to adopt which is why educating that adoption IS an option will open the doors of conversation that it is a viable and available option for a pregnant mother and allow families who are considering adoption to feel supported and unashamed of their journey. The mission behind the global movement of Adoption is an Option is to increase awareness about adoption AS an option, educate, advocate, open up healthy conversation about adoption, and to bring awareness to this life changing decision @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #AdoptionIsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #Foster #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Omaha #Nebraska #CouncilBluffs #Iowa #Midwest #WomenInspiringWomen #OmahaNebraska #Adoption #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

👑 Countdown to the Crown 👑 #PageantpPrep Pageant prep at age 46 is all about self preservation, igniting, passion, and competing with yourself to be the best version of you! Here are some of the things that have been so important to me during this season of prepping for the International Pageant this month! 🎯 Fitness Lifestyle Increasing my focus in my daily workout routine has been pivotal and shifting my body to be pageant ready. Increasing cardio, upping protein and carb intake, and increasing reps with weights has been key for me to feel strong in body and mind. 🎯 Practice Whether it’s taping my speech to the steering wheel, working intensely with an incredible coach, working through mock interviews, or working my platform…all of these things add up to reps, and reps equals reward! 🎯Self Care and Self Talk Comparison is the thief of joy, and working on your inward self is so key to mindset! Mindset is something that can make or break a candidate, and can also be a huge factor in your daily life! 🎯Balance Working to maintain balance during this time becomes more difficult the closer it is to the pageant. Prioritizing your family and faith become absolutely imperative to keeping a balanced life! Pageants aren’t for everyone, but if you find yourself inclined to do one in which I’m so glad I did, prep is absolutely key! Shout out to. @teamslapp for the killer cap. TS! @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #AdoptionAsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Midwest #Adoption #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

👑 Countdown to the Crown 👑 Day 8 #Sponsor Shoutout I am so excited to be back in the beautiful city of Kingsport, Tennessee in just a little over three weeks for the Mrs. International Pageant. One thing that is so special about this organization is the incredible sponsors such as Sandbar Spray Tanning, Ashley Rene’s Prom and Pageant, AshleyLauren, Constantine James Co, LJ Custom Jewelry Design, and Be International Coaching and many more. I have had the opportunity to work with several last year and looking forward and so grateful to be working with even more of the sponsors this year! Thank you to ALL of the sponsors who make this pageant so fantastic. Also shout out to some of my local Midwest sponsors Host Coffee, Omaha Steaks, Old Market Emporium, Central Athletics, Foxy Hobbit Art, Hearts and Fire, @edgemagazineomaha , Creative Factory, Seven Salon + Boutique, Kristin at Faces Spa, Ninetysix Oak Photography, Cartering2You, and Jen Pfeffer Photography. And lastly, thank you to the city of Kingsport, Tennessee and the Meadowview Marriott Conference Center and Resort for hosting this incredible pageant for the 5th year in a row. 👏🏼👏🏼 Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, what a fine pageant you have curated. @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #AdoptionAsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Midwest #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

👑 Countdown to the Crown 👑 Day 7 #GRWM ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Success is not a habit but an action’ Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to the Omaha Leaders group about Powerful Habits. Number 6 on my list was ‘Be Consistent’. Incorporating these daily actions not only will ‘center’ someone, but sets one up for a successful day. Here are some of the bullet points from this specific yet simple actions that I practice. •Pray/read devotionals •Workout •Make Your Bed •Balanced Breakfast/coffee •Do one thing that brings you joy every day. Although my daily routine can vary from time to time, and also includes hair and make up, I have found that when I get ready with these action steps that I feel the most fulfilled for the journey the day will bring to me! If you are interested in knowing the rest of the actions and habits from this speech, please feel free to DM me! @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #AdoptionAsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Midwest #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

👑 Countdown to the Crown 👑 My Platform #MyWhy I am an adoptive mother, adoptive family mentor and an adoption advocate. My platform is Adoption As An Option. After adopting my son, Seth, 17 years ago, a passion began in me to advocate for this incredible life-changing decision! At my core, I am about service. Service to the community and to the things that I love and believe in! I have had incredible opportunities to speak about my platform, including what you see in this video. This was the day that the governor of the great state of Nebraska signed a proclamation stating that November will be forever recognized as Adoption Awareness Month. Also an adoptive parent, he recognized the great impact that adoption can have on communities and families. My ‘why’ is simple. I want to make an impact. 🎯 I do this by empowering families, believing in people and propelling them to their destiny to the best of my ability. This includes my family, my friends and anyone who I am able to reach. Here is a quote from someone whom I had met through my daughter‘s cheer gym: ‘Five years ago, we embarked on a journey with the sole purpose of providing a child with the love and attention they deserved, using all the love we had to offer. Unsure of where to begin, we were fortunate to meet Shannon, who had already navigated the process and guided us in the right direction. Shannon’s encouragement and dedication to adoption, as seen through her own blessed son, inspired us to work together as a team to share the joy of adoption. We are grateful for Shannon’s guidance and for being an incredible and motivating mother figure to those seeking to adopt and share their love with a child in need.’ -Starr Hobbs I am honored to influence, guide and inspire prayerfully. Adoption IS an Option Some video by @ninetysixoak @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #AdoptionAsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Midwest #Adoption #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

👑 Countdown to the Crown 👑 Day 5 “How I Met my Husband” #MyHusband “WHAT WE FIND IN A SOULMATE IS NOT SOMETHING WILD TO TAME, BUT SOMETHING WILD TO RUN WITH.” - Robert Brault My husband, Kurt, and I have known each other way longer than when we actually began dating. The story is a bit unbelievable. Each of my two sisters dated EACH of his two brothers (and one of those sets got married!). He stood up for my brother in law (his brother) as the best man and I stood up for my sister in 2009 as a bridesmaid! So…we knew of each other but never began a relationship until 2012! And we lived in two different states! When I went out to Des Moines, Iowa one night to spend some time with my sister and brother-in-law we had invited Kurt out to join. He declined at first until he found out I was there. Then he showed up in a rather short amount of time. My sister brought it to my attention that he liked me, which I was clueless to, and i couldn’t ignore it after that. We quickly began to see each other, which swiftly led to an engagement after a year and a half of dating, and a wedding by 2015. And you know it, the two of them that were married both stood up for us at our wedding! We both own businesses and we are always up for any adventure. We have many goals, travel plans and future aspirations we continue to set together as we build this adventure we call married life! @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #AdoptionAsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Midwest #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

👑 Countdown to the Crown 👑 Day 4 #MyHometown I am small town Midwestern girl born and raised in an incredible small town in southwest Iowa called Lenox. My small town upbringing really crafted a hard work ethic and a sense of community that I truly to this day carry with me even living in the city of Omaha! In the recent past, I’ve even had the opportunity to go home and speak to the high school about living the life of purpose! I just love being able to give back to my hometown! Picture: Main Street, my childhood homestead and church, speaking In front of the high school students, some great students, the hallways of my high school, the movie cover to ‘The Crazies’ and Spencer Browns stats which might blow your mind. A few fun facts about my hometown… 🔆The town recently celebrated the Sesquicentennial. 🔆 The blockbuster hit movie ‘The Crazies’ was filmed there generating 54.8 million at the box office, bringing a lot of excitement to our small town! 🔆 One of our hometown guys, Spencer Brown was drafted to the pros and plays for the Buffalo Bills! His mother, Liz, was my volleyball coach and friend to this day. 🔆 The Lenox rodeo is one of the best rodeos and has been going for more than 75 years! Everyone is connected to someone in the small town, and I can tell you to this day that this small town has had a huge impact on this woman forever! Much love to Lenox! 🫶🏼 @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #TheAdoptionConnection #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Midwest #MrsIntl

👑Countdown to the Crown 👑 Day 3 “Meet my Family” “Adoption is complicated, but it is also rich with narratives of strength” — Jillian Lauren Our family shares a powerful story of resilience, perseverance, and the adoptive spirit. My husband, Kurt, and I are both business owners in Omaha, Nebraska, where we live with our 3 kiddos. He co-owns the business ‘Metro Locksmith’ with two locations. He loves the fulfillment of solving the issues, is a sucker for his daughter and has been an amazing stepdad to our two boys. We love, traveling, golf, going to church, finding great restaurants, and watching our Chiefs! I have co-owned Seven Salon + Boutique for over 20 years with an exceptional staff of nearly 30, and you will find me behind the chair 3 days a week. I am photographer, International educator, and currently appointed vice-chair of the DHHS state board. As an award-winning philanthropist, I am service focused, and love giving back to my community! Infertility and loss led us to look toward adoption. We were chosen in June of 2007 when my dreams of becoming a mother were realized with the birth of my oldest son, Seth. He will be a junior and loves wrestling and rugby, plays the trumpet in band, and gives the best hugs! As a adopted child, he’s spoken alongside me in several capacities, such as in front of the governor when we signed the state proclamation making November ‘Adoption Awareness Month’, and also in several schools educating about adoption! Shortly before Seth turned one, I discovered I was pregnant with Ian, who was born in January 2009. He is also athletic but his true passion is music. He adores show choir, concert choir, plays piano and guitar! He is a social kid with lots of friends, and makes sure that everybody is included. He will be a Sophomore this fall! Much to our surprise, I became pregnant when I was 39. Our daughter, Kora, was born in August 2016. She is a ‘go-getter’, loves her friends, is a flyer in cheer, plays softball and will be 3rd grader this fall! On a recent vacation, we even got to adopt a town in Mexico and bring supplies to residence there! @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #intlpageants

👑 Countdown to the Crown 👑 Day Two The Crowning Moment I chose to come back to compete for a second year in a row at the Mrs International Pageant. After being awarded the regional title for Mrs Midwest International, my lifelong commitment to service continued under this new crown. One thing I have learned about a #CrowningMoment is that it doesn’t change or define me. I have been and will continue to be authentically myself with a mission to continue to be an advocate for adoption through educational events, sharing stories though my global social media platforms and through my partner organizations, and helping to reform policy to assist families who are in need. Becoming Mrs International 2024 would create an elevated awareness of adoption under an International title, however my persona, integrity and personal development will not change. I will uphold the character of the organization and continue bring a greater awareness to it through my influence to the best of my abilities. This is my crowning moment, and I am ready for more! #CrowningMoment @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #AdoptionIsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #Foster #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #JourneytoMrsIintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Omaha #Nebraska #CouncilBluffs #Iowa #Midwest #WomenInspiringWomen #OmahaNebraska #Adoption #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report

It was a great day in Iowa for the Take Steps walk to support the @crohnscolitisfoundation of Iowa and Nebraska! As the emcee of this event for the second year in a row I am so grateful for all of the people who come out to support. From whose who suffer from IBD to their caregivers to the supporters, we all come together to raise funds to get close to a cure. Over $7000 was raised today to the matched goals already totalling over $50,000. I know a few people close to me, including my sweet niece, who suffers from IBD, and I know it is debilitating. And while my platform may be adoption, my heart is in the service, and I am always ready to be there in whatever capacity I can. Shout out to my mama for the great captures. @shelsweeney74 🫶🏼 @intlpageants #MrsIntl2024 #2024IntlCountdown #AdoptionIsAnOption #TheAdoptionConnection #Adoption #AdoptiveParent #Foster #BeAFoster #MrsInternational #MrsInternational2024 #IntlPageants #journeytomrsiintl #MrsMidwestInternational #MrsMidwestInternational2024 #Omaha #Nebraska #CouncilBluffs #Iowa #Midwest #WomenInspiringWomen #OmahaNebraska #Adoption #MrsIntl @mrspageantry @mrspageanthq @mrs_pageant_worldwide_report