Dancello Bennett graduated from Crete-Monee High School in 2007 after attending Talala Elementary, the Intermediate Center, and Crete-Monee Middle School. He then pursued his Associate's Degree at Prairie State College and South Suburban College. Following that, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois Chicago.

After college, Dancello worked for Apple before leaving in 2020 to focus full-time on his own business, which he started in 2013. He is the Founder and CEO of imaginat, a dynamic production company based in Chicago, IL, specializing in brand and product films. With over a decade of experience, his company, imaginat, aims to leverage deep filmmaking insights to deliver exceptional results. They also specialize in photography and aerial services using drone technology capturing unique visuals.

Dancello is passionate about storytelling and enjoys making new connections, believing that everyone has a unique and fascinating background story. Today, Crete-Monee SD 201-U hopes to leverage his talents with video production to enhance community engagement and promote the school district. Take a look at the homecoming recap video, SmartLab interview video, and Talala Elementary SmartLab ribbon-cutting ceremony video that he created.

Crete-Monee Warriors Alumni & Friends asked Dancello to answer a few questions…

What can you say about your time at 201-U? How did it help prepare you for success later in life? 

My experience at CM 201-U was fantastic. I made lifelong friends and had incredibly supportive teachers. It taught me that the harder you work, the greater your rewards. This lesson has stayed with me and continues to guide me to this day.

Did you have a favorite class? Were there any teachers or other staff members who you can think of who had an impact on you during your time in our district?

My favorite class was CAD Design, taught by Mr. Brown. It was my first exposure to 3D modeling. In my sophomore year, my chemistry teacher was excellent—enthusiastic about the subject and engaging in his teaching, making the lessons both fun and informative. He was always available to help with any questions. Additionally, Ms. Darlingo, my 6th-grade teacher, was my all-time favorite. She was incredibly kind and genuinely cared about her students' success. I always looked forward to her class.

What advice would you give to Crete-Monee High School students today?

Stay focused on your primary purpose right now, which is your education. Complete your homework diligently. There’s nothing worse than being unprepared—being prepared is far more rewarding. Concentrate on why you’re there and keep that purpose in mind.

Tell us about a memorable experience from high school.

On the last day of junior year, my friend Ken Bailey got the entire study hall singing Christmas songs. With exams behind us and no homework to worry about, it all began with Ken and quickly turned into a full-group sing-along.

What is your greatest professional/personal accomplishment?

My greatest professional achievement is earning my bachelor’s degree and starting a business that I now manage full-time. Personally, a major accomplishment for me has been enhancing my running ability. Though I was always passionate about working out, running was a challenge. I've progressed from barely running 5 minutes to now covering 4 miles and sustaining a run for 45 minutes.

Is there anything you miss about high school?

I miss the days when all our friends would get together—it was a time when you discovered yourself and your real friends. Back then, it was so easy to hang out with friends before class or organize a gathering with 5 to 10 people at once. Now, with everyone’s busy schedules, it’s nearly impossible to coordinate a get-together.

What was your favorite part of high school? Least favorite?

My favorite part of high school was the early bird class, which allowed me to arrive and leave an hour early. My least favorite part was facing in-school suspension for being late too many times. It was particularly frustrating because it meant being isolated in the basement, away from everyone.