Days of '47 royalty is crowned

Jennifer Winn, daughter of a pioneer ancestor who wrote the hymn "Carry On," was crowned queen in the Days of '47 Royalty Pageant Saturday.

Winn, a 22-year-old broadcast journalism major at Brigham Young University, will receive a $3,000 scholarship. During the final round of competition, Winn told the judges that she'd like to emulate an ancestor's strength, saying "she was such a strong woman."

First attendant Camille Perkins and second attendant Jennifer Dolan will each receive a $2,500 scholarship. The three will speak at Days of '47 events this summer and will appear at other events throughout the year.

There were 48 contestants in this year's pageant, sponsored by the Society of Utah Pioneers and the Days of '47 committee. The pageant is open to women ages 18 to 25 with Utah pioneer ancestry. Their ancestors must have come to the state before May 10, 1869, the date the railroads were joined at Promontory Point in Cache County, said pageant spokeswoman Colette Liddell.

The contestants were judged on their moral character, community service, educational achievements, goals, stage presence and personal appearance, Liddell said.

"I can't wait for the summer," Winn said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to speak to the youth girls. I'm excited for the opportunity to share."

"It was neat to be able to take part in my pioneer heritage," said Perkins, 23, who is studying Spanish and photography at BYU.

Dolan, 20, a student of elementary education at the University of Utah, said she's looking forward to meeting people and traveling across Utah.

"It's a rare thing to be able to represent that (pioneer) heritage," she said.