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Show SPANISH FORK Rodeo Queen Elisa Lewis mother, like daughter Danielle Jones STAFF WRITER The 2009 Fiesta Days Rodeo Queen is Elisa Lewis, daughter of Kelly Brent and Jeanne Lewis of West Mountain. She is 17 years old and the youngest of seven children. She was a member of Salem Hills High School's first graduating class, where she was actively involved in student life as a member of FCCLA, Close Up, and the varsity tennis team. "I've always had a goal of becoming the Fiesta Days Rodeo Queen because my mom was a Fiesta Days Rodeo Queen, and since I have grown up in West Mountain the Fiesta Days Rodeo has always been my hometown rodeo," said Lewis. "I [feel] very privileged to be able to promote the spoil of rodeo for Spanish Fork Fiesta Days." — Elisa Lewis A lot of preparation went into accomplishing her goal. First came learning to ride, which she's been doing for as long as she can remember. Then she started her first rodeo queen contests when she was eight years old. Her mother and sister set the example by competing in rodeo queen contests. Finally, she got involved with high school rodeo queen contests. During her high school career she traveled all over Utah for contests, and she learned to become more comfortable in front of people and became a better public speaker. Lewis has received many rodeo ti- Courtesy photo RODEO ROYALTY: Pictured, left to right, are 2nd Attendant Chassidy Arnold, Queen Elisa Lewis and 1st Attendant Lacey Godfrey. ties including, Santaquin Junior Queen, Strawberry Days Junior Queen, Panguitch Invitational High School Rodeo Queen, 2nd runner-up for the state high school rodeo finals, and high school rodeo queen for the Randolph, Morgan and Cedar City rodeos. She has also been a princess or attendant in numerous other rodeos. The Fiesta Days Rodeo Queen contest was judged by a panel of judges and was based on three horsemanship patterns, three impromptu questions and an interview with the judges. "All of my horsemanship patterns seemed to go really well," said Lewis. Nine girls, varying in age between making public appearances, acting as the late teens and early twenties, from a spokesperson, being a good example all over Utah competed for the Fiesta and being comfortable in the public eye.Days rodeo queen title. Elisa Lewis was The rodeo queen royalty attend parades crowned as the queen with Lacey God- and celebrations in Springville, Pleasant frey of Benjamin as first attendant and Grove, Lehi and Spanish Fork. Chassidy Arnold of Heber as second at"For me, personally, having little tendant. kids, especially little girls, come up to "My reaction when I was crowned me wanting an autograph or picture was excited and I'm sure my eyes went makes me appreciate and grasp the conhuge. I felt very privileged to be able cept of being a good example and how to promote the sport of rodeo for Span- important it is for kids to have good role ish Fork Fiesta Days and help keep this models," said Lewis. western heritage alive," said Lewis. She gave this advice for aspiring roThe duties of the Fiesta Days Ro- deo queens, "Hope for the best, prepare deo Queen include: promoting rodeo, for the worst and take what comes." |