Days of '47 Royalty: 2017 Pageant

Saturday, April 22, 2017

2017 Pageant

The Days of '47 Pageant is filled with a busy and exciting weekend of events! The contestants first met at a seminar by Kathy Loveless, "Seminar for Success". They then rehearsed for 2 hours, and then attended the Royalty Ball at the Capitol Rotunda. The Ball is a chance for the contestants to socialize in a non-competitive space, bring dates, and have fun dancing. Friday was then busy with another rehearsal, and half of the contestants had an interview with the judges. Saturday morning, the rest of the contestants interviewed with the judges, ran through of the entire pageant, then the Pageant began! The contestants first competed in an afternoon portion where they wore business wear and gave a 40 second speech about the theme, “Pioneers – Visions of a New Horizon". The evening portion of the pageant begins after all the contestants had a delicious dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and pictures on Temple Square. During the evening portion, the contestants wore formal gowns and answered an on-stage question. The Top 10 were chosen, and they came back on stage to answer a final question. From there, the Annie Taylor Hyde Award was given to Elizabeth Aust, who was voted from her fellow contestants to exemplify kindness, and the pure spirit of the pioneers. Then the 2017 Royalty was announced: 2nd Attendant Brittny Millington, 1st Attendant Tess Hanson, and Queen Maren Cline.

Although a lot is happening during the weekend, aside from college finals and work, this experience is wonderful! The contestants meet new friends, gain confidence from trying something new, and come away with a new sense of pride for the Utah Pioneers.